Abelmoschus moschatus, Musk Mallow

Latakasturi, Katuka, Kataphala (Ayurveda)
So ma ra dza (Tibetan)
Mushkdana (Unani)
Huang Kui (TCM)

Merian, De metamorphosibus insectorum Surinamensium, of te verandering der Surinaamsche insecten, 1714

Botanical name:

Abelmoschus moschatus (syn. Hibiscus moschatus, H. abelmoschatus), A. manihot

Note that in Tibetan Medicine, So ma ra dza is also used for Psoralea

Parts used:

Seed

Temperature & Taste:

Cool, dry. Pungent

Uses:

1. Clears Heat and Toxin:

-burning Fever, Flu
-Skin diseases with pus and itching (Tibetan Medicine)
-Snake bite

2. Clears Heat, Stops Cough:

-Cough, Bronchitis, Asthma

3. Clears Heat, Loosen the Bowels:

-Dysentery, Constipation
-Vomiting; Spleen disorders (Charaka)
-loss of appetite
-seeds are chewed to sweeten the breath

4. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine:

-Dysuria; painful or obstructed Urine; urinary discharge
-Spermaturia
-Venereal Diseases
-Leukorrhea

5. Benefits the Kidneys:

-Diabetes, Arthritis (Tibetan Medicine)
-Aphrodisiac

6. Clears Heat, Calms the Mind and Nerves:

-hysteria and nervous disorders from Wind and Heat
-antispasmodic; given for Cramps

7. Externally:

-Abscess with pus, toxin swellings
-burns and scalds
-Fractures
-diseases, sores, ulcers of the mouth (as a mouthwash)
-used in oils to clear heat and inflammation

Dose:

Seed Powder: 1–3 grams

Substitute:

1. Mallow or Marshmallow seed can be substituted
2. Cannabis seed
3. Abutilon theophrastii has been listed as a substitute

Comment:

1. The seeds have an aroma of Musk and have been called Grani Moschi. They have been used in place of Musk.
2. Arabs flavored their coffee with the seeds.

Main Combinations:

1. With Triphala, Costus, Frankincense for Joint disease

Major Formulas:

Frankincense 10 (Spos dkar 10) (Tibetan Medicine)

Cautions:

None noted

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