Ambrette
Botanical Description/Habitat
Abelmoschus moschatus
Family
Malvaceae
Common Names
Ambrette
Musk okra
Muskmallow
Habitat
Tropical and sub-tropical regions e.g. Philippines.
Description
The plant grows to about waist high and has showy yellow flowers with crimson centers.
The seeds have a musk-like odor.
Medicinal Parts
The seed
Reference:
The Lawrence Review of Natural Products. May, 1994.
Historical Properties & Uses
The oil of the seed of the ambrette has a characteristic musky odor for which it is used in cosmetics and perfumery. The seed is also used to make certain vermouths and, in folk medicine is an important constituent of some bitters.
The mucilaginous nature of the seeds makes them ideal for use in poultices as demulcents and emollients, for the treatment of insect and animal bites, rashes, boils, and even varicose veins. Internally, the ambrette seed is used as a nervine or sedative.
In bitters, it used to help indigestion and upset stomach, and to stimulate appetite. The seeds are also sometimes used as a mild diuretic.
Perhaps the most controversial use for ambrette seed is as an aphrodisiac. Many tropical peoples, as well as contingents in Europe and America, claim the seed, if prepared correctly, is one of the best aphrodisiacs available. Ambrette is also used as a treatment for venereal diseases.
Method of Action
Ambrette seed contains significant amounts of farnesol, protein, fatty oil, volatile oil, starch and mucilaginous substances. The musky odor is due to ambrettolide and ambrettol.
None of these substances is known to fully account for the observed activity of ambrette. In-depth pharmacological data has not been obtained.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Possible Interactions
Any one or all of the following drugs may be imperfectly absorbed if ambrette is being used on a daily basis: tetracycline derivatives, oral anticholinergics, phenothiazines, digoxin, isoniazid, phenytoin and warfarin.
Certain antipsychotic drugs, such as the phenothiazines, as well as psychoactive agents which are poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, may be even more poorly absorbed if ambrette is being used.
Ambrette should not be used with methotrimeprazine, a potent CNS depressant analgesic.
Comments
The use of large amounts of ambrette on a continuous basis may partially block the digestion, absorption or reabsorption of a wide variety of drugs and fat soluble vitamins. The neuromuscular relaxing action of ambrette may be enhanced by the use of certain aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as clindamycin.
In the absence of other hard data, it may still be assumed that observable interactions may occur between the many central nervous system drugs and the psychoactive principles in ambrette.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
The FDA has classified ambrette seed as an herb of undefined safety, but has also given it GRAS status: Generally Regarded as Safe. It is routinely used in baking and cosmetics. No extensive toxicology tests have been performed, but it is regarded as nontoxic.
Preparation & Administration
Seeds chewed
Other data not available
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
The Lawrence Review of Natural Products. May, 1994.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Opdyke, D.L.J. Food Cosmet. Toxicol., 13, 705, 707, 1975.
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