Ambrette
OTHER NAME(S): Abelmosco, Abelmosk, Ambretta, Ambrette Plant, Egyptian Alcee, Gandapura, Graine d'Ambrette, Gombo Musqué, Hibisco, Hibiscus Musqué, Kasturidana, Kasturilatika, Kasturi Bhendi, Ketmie Musquée, Latakasthuri, Latakasturi, Lata Kasturi, Lathakasthuri, Mauve Musquée, Mushkdana, Musk, Musk Seed, Muskadana, Muskmallow, Musk-Mallow, Musk Okra, Pomme Musquée, Target-Leaved Hibiscus, Tindisha, Abelmoschus moschatus, Hibiscus abelmoschus
Overview
Ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus) is a fragrant shrub native to India. Oil from its seed has a musky aroma. It's used in colognes and traditional medicines.
Certain ambrette seed and leaf extracts contain chemicals that might have antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial effects.
People use ambrette for stomach pain, anxiety, cancer, heart failure, constipation, depression, indigestion, nausea, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse ambrette, which is also known as Hibiscus abelmoschus, with Hibiscus sabdariffa. These are not the same.
Uses
We currently have no information for Ambrette overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Ambrette is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ambrette is safe. Some people might experience skin irritation and increased sensitivity to the sun.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Ambrette is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ambrette is safe. Some people might experience skin irritation and increased sensitivity to the sun.
Pregnancy: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ambrette is safe to use during pregnancy. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Breast-feeding: Ambrette is possibly unsafe when taken mouth or applied to the skin while breast-feeding. Ambrette seems to pass into breast-milk. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Surgery: Myricetin, a chemical in ambrette, might affect blood sugar and might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking ambrette at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with AmbretteMyricetin, a chemical in ambrette, might lower blood sugar levels. Taking ambrette along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of ambrette might be. Traditionally, ambrette powdered seeds have been mixed with lukewarm milk. It's also been used as a tea or tincture. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Liu, I. M., Liou, S. S., Lan, T. W., Hsu, F. L., and Cheng, J. T. Myricetin as the active principle of Abelmoschus moschatus to lower plasma glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Planta Med. 2005;71(7):617-621.
- Liu, I. M., Liou, S. S., and Cheng, J. T. Mediation of beta-endorphin by myricetin to lower plasma glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J.Ethnopharmacol. 3-8-2006;104(1-2):199-206.
- Liu, I. M., Tzeng, T. F., Liou, S. S., and Lan, T. W. Improvement of insulin sensitivity in obese Zucker rats by myricetin extracted from Abelmoschus moschatus. Planta Med. 2007;73(10):1054-1060.
- Du, Z., Clery, R. A., and Hammond, C. J. Volatile organic nitrogen-containing constituents in ambrette seed Abelmoschus moschatus Medik (Malvaceae). J.Agric.Food Chem. 8-27-2008;56(16):7388-7392.
- Wojnarowska, F. and Calnan, C. D. Contact and photocontact allergy to musk ambrette. Br.J.Dermatol. 1986;114(6):667-675.
- Gul MZ, Bhakshu LM, Ahmad F, et al. Evaluation of Abelmoschus moschatus extracts for antioxidant, free radical scavenging, antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities using in vitro assays. BMC Complement Altern Med 2011;11:64.
- Liu IM, Tzeng TF, Liou SS. Abelmoschus moschatus (Malvaceae), an aromatic plant, suitable for medical or food uses to improve insulin sensitivity. Phytother Res 2010;24(2):233-9.
- Amarasiri SS, Attanayake AP, Mudduwa LKB, Jayatilaka KAPW. Nephroprotective mechanisms of Ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus Medik.) leaf extracts in adriamycin mediated acute kidney injury model of Wistar rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2022;292:115221.
- Zhou P, Hao Z, Xu W, Zhou X, Yu J. Efficacy and safety of Abelmoschus moschatus capsules combined with tripterygium glycoside tablets on diabetic nephropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol 2022;13:936678.