Musk Mallow

Overview

Musk mallow is native to Tropical Asia and includes China, the Indian subcontinent, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea, the Philippines, and northern Australia. Outside its natural habitats, this species is viewed as a weed. It is ornamental and is also classified on several islands in the Caribbean as "widespread" and "potentially invasive" and has been introduced to South American countries.

Vernacular Names

Ambarina (Cuban), Bisamstrauch (German), Jangli bhindi (Indian), Ambretta (Italian), Kapas hantu (Malay), Abelmos (Dutch), Chamot-ton (Thai).

Agroecology

A tropical and subtropical crop, grown in humid, temperate zones. Easily grown in a sunny location in most fertile, well-drained soils. Average annual precipitation in the range of 1,000-1,400 mm is preferred, but 900-1,500 mm is tolerated. A pH in the 5.5-7 range is favored. Grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the 20-30 °C range, but can withstand 10-35 °C.

Morphology

• Stems - usually solid, sometimes hollow; the shoot tip and petioles have many sharp bristles, rarely sparsely hairy or glabrous.
• Leaves - simple, alternate, hairy, very variable in size and shape, 6–22 cm × 8–24 cm; the lower leaves are orbicular to elliptical. The petiole is 6–30 cm long; stipules are linear–filiform and with simple hairs
• Flowers - hermaphrodite, large, showy, axillary and solitary; the pedicel is 2–19 cm long, solitary, axillary, large, 3-4 inch, bright yellow, with a purple center.
• Fruits - a dry, dehiscent capsule, many seeded, ovoid or globose, with stiff hairs, black or dark brown when dry.
• Seeds - reniform, 3–4.5 mm long, mostly glabrous, concentrically ribbed, and somewhat warty.
• Roots - a taproot or tuberous root.

Cultivation

• Propagation is by seeds and cuttings.
• Seed is sown 1-2 cm deep, under favourable conditions, germination commences 4-15 days after sowing, and is complete after 15-30 days.
   

Chemical Constituents

Seeds: ambrettolic acid, β-sitosterol-β-D-glycoside, farnesol, furfural. Dry leaves: β-sitosterol, β-D-glycoside. Flowers: β-sitosterol, myricetin, glycoside.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

• The seeds, for their diuretic, demulcent, and stomachic properties, are medically prized. They are also calming antiseptic, cooling, tonic, carminative, antispasmodic.
• The root is effective for the treatment of blennorrhagia and leucorrhoea.
• The leaves are febrifugenic and anti-inflammatory.
• It cleanses the urinary bladder, functions as an aphrodisiac, and is helpful for eye conditions.
• Roots and leaves are supportive in treating gonorrhea.
• Bark paste is applied to bruises, fractures, and sprains.
• Leaves and roots are used for headaches, rheumatism, varicose veins, fever, and gonorrhea.
• Seeds are chewed as an antiseptic, cooling, tonic, carminative, nervine, stomachic, stimulant, and to sweeten the breath.
• For the treatment of depression and anxiety, the essential oil is used in aromatherapy.
• The grated root, combined with tallow, is applied to infected nail-pricks and thorn-pricks as an ointment