Musk Okra is a plant found in many parts of India, it is also found in USA, Peru, Egypt, and South Asia.
This is a plant of Malvaceae family. Synonym Hibiscus abelmoschu.
This is a perennial plant, which grows to a height of about two meters. The stem is covered with hair throughout. The leaves are simple and alternate, of the size 12x18, about 5 lobed and ovate.
The yellow flowers are about nine cm. in size, and axillary, solitary and in terminal raceme. The flowering season is from August – December.
The capsules are acuminate and villous. The seeds are blackish brown reniform, and horizontally striate. Plasmic acid is obtained from the oil.
Usage:
The fruits, seeds, and the roots are useful in Ayurvedic preparations. They are nutritious, demulcent, emollient, and diuretic. The seeds are stimulant and antispasmodic. The seeds yield an essential oil, which is very valuable in perfumery for the musk or ambrette type fragrance.
chemical compounds Obtained:
Plasmalogen, plasmic acid, essential oils, volatile oils, musk scented.
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Gujarati: Kasturi Bhinda
Marathi: Kasturi Bhendi
Bengali: Kalkasturi, Latakasturi, Mushakdan
Kannada: Kasturi bende, Kaadu kastoori
Tamil: Kasturi-vendaik-kay-virai, Kaattu kasturi
Malayalam: Kasturi-venta-vitta, Kattu-kasturi
Telugu: Kasturi-benda-vittulu, Karpoorabenda
