Hibiscus SABDARIFFA L.
| Synonym : | Abelmoschus cruentus (Bertol.) Walp. Furcaria sabdariffa Ulbr. Hibiscus fraternus L. Sabdariffa rubra Kostel. |
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| Bangla Name : | Lalmesta, Mesta, Patwa, Kharapata (Chittagong). , Jang Gri Se (Marma), Sung Krak (Bowm), Kan Sur Ka (Murong). |
| English Name : | Indian Sorrel, Jamaica Sorrel, Natal Sorrel, Red Sorrel, Rosella, Rozelle Hemp. |
| Family : | Malvaceae |
| Disease : | Emollient,diuretic, sedative and refrigerant, laxative, antiscorbutic, dysentery and diarrhoea. |
| Description : | An erect shrubby annual with red stem and branches. Leaves 5-7.5 cm long, cuneate at the base, usually 3-5 lobed, lobes lanceolate or oblong, serrate. Flowers large, purple with darker centre, axillary, solitary. Capsules ovoid, beaked, hairy |
| Distribution : | Cultivated throughout the country |
| Chemical Constituents : | The fruits, leaves and stems contain d-malic acid. Leaves contain sitosterol- ?-D-galactoside. High concentration of hibiscic acid, flavonoid and heterosides have been isolated from flower (Asolkar et al., 1992). Extract of flowers contain reducing sugars |
| Uses : | Leaves are emollient, in Guinea, they are much used as a diuretic, sedative and refrigerant. Decoction of the leaf is laxative. Fruits are antiscorbutic, used in dysentery and diarrhoea. Succulent sepals and leaves are recommended as antimicrobial, anthel |
| Habit : | Shrub |