Musk okra
StarAbelmoschus moschatus
Synonyms: Hibiscus abelmoschus var. genuinus, Abelmoschus officinalis, Hibiscus abelmoschus, Abelmoschus abelmoschus, Hibiscus moschatus
Safety at a glance
No rule in our tables for this herb: pregnancy, breastfeeding, incompatible pairs (十八反 / 十九畏), herb–drug, dose ceiling. This is not a safety clearance.
Not graded — No toxicity grade is recorded. Most herbs in the catalogue carry none.
Traditionally used for
- Digestion
- Bowel health
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In Ayurvedic medicine and pan-tropical folk practice, the musky seeds (ambrette) are used as an aromatic carminative and stomachic for dyspepsia, flatulence, colic and diarrhoea, and to ease nervous complaints; the root and leaves are also employed in various preparations, and the seeds serve in perfumery (Easy Ayurveda; PFAF).
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Botanical Description
Abelmoschus moschatus, known as musk mallow, musk okra or ambrette, is an aromatic, soft-stemmed plant of the mallow family (Malvaceae), native to tropical Asia and northern Australia and widely cultivated across the tropics. Usually grown as an annual or short-lived perennial, it reaches roughly 0.5 to 2 metres tall, with bristly, hairy stems. The leaves are alternate and palmately lobed, the lower ones broadly heart-shaped and the upper ones more deeply divided, with toothed margins and rough hairs on both surfaces. The showy flowers are solitary in the leaf axils, 7 to 12 cm across, with five pale yellow petals bearing a deep maroon or purple centre, typical of the hibiscus alliance. The fruit is a hairy, ovoid capsule containing numerous greyish, kidney-shaped seeds that release a strong musky fragrance, owing to nitrogenous aroma compounds; these seeds, called ambrette, are the source of a valued perfumery oil. The plant favours warm, moist, well-drained sites.
Dosage Calculator
⚖ Dosage Calculator
A weight-based mathematical estimate for Musk okra. Not a prescription.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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