Cotton-rose
StarHibiscus mutabilis
Synonyms: Hibiscus sinensis, Hibiscus aestuans, Hibiscus mutabilis f. plenus, Hibiscus mutabilis var. flore-pleno, Hibiscus malvarosa, Hibiscus immutabilis, Ketmia mutabilis, Hibiscus mutabilis var. roseoplenus, Abelmoschus mutabilis
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In traditional Chinese medicine Hibiscus mutabilis is known as mu fu rong (木芙蓉). The leaves and flowers are valued for clearing heat and reducing swelling, and are most often prepared as a fresh poultice or paste applied externally to abscesses, boils, swellings, burns, scalds and other inflammatory skin conditions; decoctions have also been used for similar anti-inflammatory and detoxifying purposes (Bensky & Gamble, 1993; Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission, 2015).
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Botanical Description
Hibiscus mutabilis (Confederate rose) is a large deciduous shrub or small tree in the Malvaceae, growing 2-5 m tall with stout, softly hairy branches. The leaves are broadly ovate to rounded, palmately 3-7 lobed, cordate at the base and downy on both surfaces. The showy double or single flowers are large (up to 10-12 cm across) and famously change colour over the day, opening white or pale pink in the morning and deepening to red by evening; the fruit is a hairy capsule. Native to southern China and widely cultivated as an ornamental in warm-temperate and subtropical regions.
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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