Common Name: Musk Mallow

General Information

Abelmoschus moschatus is an annual to perennial plant, growing up to 2 metres tall from a tapered taproot with stems that become more or less woody, especially at their base[]. Usually erect, the plant sometimes adopts a prostrate, creeping habit[]. Able to grow as a shrub in warm climates, the plant usually dies back to the taproot in dry or cold seasons, but will normally resprout when the rains or warmer weather returns[, ].
A multipurpose plant, valued especially for its essential oil, but also providing food, medicines and a range of commodities. It is widely cultivated in tropical climates for its oil, as an ornamental and also for its many other uses[, ].
The plant can become weedy when growing in open and disturbed ground[]. The plant has often escaped from cultivation and is classified as 'Invasive' in many Pacific Islands[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - China, Indian subcontinent, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, northern Australia.

Habitat

Open places in Nepal at elevations of 600 - 1100 metres[]. Flat areas, valleys, stream sides and scrub slopes in western and southern China[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,100 metres, it is also cultivated in warm temperate areas. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, but can tolerate 10 - 35°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 1,400mm, but tolerates 900 - 1,500mm[]. The plant is not hardy in the colder areas of the temperate zone, it can tolerate occasional temperatures down to about -5°c[]. The plant is usually cut back to the ground in winter, but so long as these winters are not too cold it will usually resprout freely freely from the root-stock when warm weather returns.
Easily grown in most rich, well-drained soils in a sunny position[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 5 - 8[].
It is probably wise to apply a good mulch to the roots in the autumn[].
It is best to cut back the stems to about 15cm long in the spring even if they have not been killed back by the frost[]. This will ensure an abundance of new growth and plenty of flowers in the summer.
There is at least one named form, selected for its ornamental value. 'Mischief' is somewhat smaller than the species, reaching a height of 50cm[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves and shoots - cooked in soups[, ]. Used as a vegetable[, ]. The leaves are also used to clarify sugar[].

Unripe seedpods - cooked as a vegetable in much the same way as okra (A. esculentus)[, , , ].

Seed - cooked and also used as a flavouring[, ]. When fried or roasted it has a flavour similar to sesame seeds[]. The seed is also used as a flavouring for liqueurs or to scent coffee[, , ].

An essential oil is obtained from the plant and is used to flavour baked goods, ice cream, sweets and soft drinks[].

Root[, ]. It is probably the tuberous root from the subspecies Abelmoschus moschatus tuberosus (Span.) Borss. , that is used[]. No more details are given, though the root is likely to have a bland flavour and a fibrous texture[].

Medicinal

The seeds are valued medicinally for their diuretic, demulcent and stomachic properties. They are also said to be stimulant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, cooling, tonic, carminative and aphrodisiac[, , ]. An emulsion made from the seed is antispasmodic and is especially effective in the digestive system[, ]. The seeds are also chewed as a nervine, stomachic and to sweeten the breath[, ]. The pulverized seeds, mixed with powder, provide a useful remedy to treat prickly heat[].
The seeds are crushed and mixed with oil then rubbed on a feverish patient[]. The musk-scented seeds are used as a masticatory for dental cavities and bad breath[].

The root is said to be effective in the treatment of blennorrhagia and leucorrhoea[].
The grated root, mixed with tallow, is applied as an unguent on infected nail-pricks and thorn-pricks. It is macerated in rum as a rub for fevers[].
The tuberous roots of the subspecies Abelmoschus moschatus tuberosus (Span.) Borss., are said to be sought after by the Chinese as a substitute for ginseng (Panax ginseng)[].

A decoction of the roots and leaves is taken as an emollient remedy for treating gonorrhoea and rheumatism[].

The leaves are antiinflammatory and febrifuge. They are used in a poultice that is applied to the forehead to control violent headache;[].
A decoction of the leaves and green fruits are used in a bath to ease childbirth[].

The leaves and flowers are rubbed on scabies and also applied as a poultice on swellings[].

A paste of the bark is applied to cuts, wounds and sprains[].

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy for the treatment of depression and anxiety[]. It is also applied externally to treat cramp, poor circulation and aching joints[].

The oil obtained from the seeds contains farnesol, ambrettolic acid, and the lactone ambrettolide[].
The petals contain the flavonol cannabiscitrine and cyanidine glycoside[].

The plant is used as an antivenom and a diuretic[].

Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained from the plant[]. It is used as a food flavouring and in perfumery as a musk substitute[]. However, it has been known to cause photosensitivity so this use has been largely discontinued[].
An essential oil, known as ambrette seed oil, is obtained from the seeds. It possesses an odour similar to that of musk. The oil is used in luxury perfumery, cosmetic products and as an additive in the preparation of some kinds of chewing tobacco, baked products, sweets, alcoholic (e.g. vermouth and bitters) and non-alcoholic drinks[, ].
When ambrette seed is crushed before steam distillation, the odourless, palmitic acid is distilled over together with the aromatic components yielding a crude oil of paste-like consistency. The aromatic components are concentrated in the outer seed coat and distillation of the whole seed gives a liquid essential oil, containing only small amounts of fatty oil, but also a lower yield of essential oil. This ambrette seed oil should be allowed to age for several months before being used in aroma or flavour materials. By ageing, the original fatty notes become subdued and a rich sweet floral-musky aroma with distinctly wine-like or brandy-like notes develops, with a uniquely rich bouquet known for the exalting effect it imparts to perfumes[].

An oil obtained from the seed contains 18.9% linoleic acid[]. The oil is of high economic value[]. The seed contains 13 - 15% of a fixed oil and also 0.2 - 0.6% of an essential oil[]. The fixed oil contains around 20% palmitic acid; 20 - 25% oleic acid; 50 - 57%, linoleic acid; 2.5 - 4% stearic acid; and smaller amounts of myristic acid and palmitoleic acid[].

The pounded seeds are used to perfume hair, whilst seeds are also placed between clothes in order to keep away insects. The seeds are burned as an incense and are used in making incense sticks (agarbattis)[].
The seeds are used as an insecticide[, ]. Another report says that extracts of the fruits and upper parts of the plant show insecticidal activity[].

An extract of the whole plant is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a masking agent[].
An extract of the flowers is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].
An essential oil obtained from the flowers and seeds is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a flavouring, masking agent, perfume and skin conditioner[].
An extract of the seeds is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a masking agent, perfume and skin conditioner[].

A fibre is obtained from the stem bark[, ]. A possible substitute for jute (Corchorus spp.), it is used to make ropes and sails[, ].

A mucilage obtained from the roots is used as a size for paper[, , ].

The leaves are sometimes used as wrappers for parcels[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. The seed germinates best at a temperature around 24 - 24°c[]. When large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots of rich soil and plant them out after the last expected frosts[]. The seed can also be sown in situ in late mid spring in areas with warm summers.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July in a frame[].