Botanical Name

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.

Family

Malvaceae.

Synonyms

Hibiscus boryanus DC., Hibiscus festalis Salisb., Hibiscus storckii Seem.

Regional Name

English: China rose, Chinese hibiscus, Chinese rose, Hawaiian hibiscus, Hibiscus, Rose mallow, Hindi : Gudhal, Gurhal, Guthur, Sanskrit : Arkapriya, Aruna, Harivallabha, Japa, Java, Urdu : Gul gurhal taza, Gul-e-gurhal, Kannada: Daasaala, Daasanige, Malayalam: Aimparutti, Ayamparutti, Cemparatti, Cemparutti, Champarutti, Marathi: Darshan, Dasindachaphula, Jaasavand, Jasavanda, Tamil: Ampurukam, Arattam, Aviyatam, Telugu: Cembarattamu, Chimabarathamu.

Part Used

Flower.

Description

This species is a native to China, globally distributed in the Pantropics. Within India, it is grown as an ornamental plant in gardens throughout and often planted as a hedge or fence plant. It is a bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree growing 2.5–5 m (8–16 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (5–10 ft) wide, with glossy leaves and solitary, brilliant red, flowers (multi colours also) in summer and autumn. The 5-petaled flowers are 10 cm (4 in) in diameter, with prominent orange-tipped red anthers.

Phytoconstituents

Flowers contain cyanidining diglucoside, cyaniding, flavonoids and vitamins, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin and ascorbic acid. Leaves and stems also contain β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, taraxeryl acetate and three cyclopropane compounds and their derivatives.

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa: Sweet Bitter, Guna: Unctuous, Light, Virya: Cooling effect, Vipaka: Sweet, Karma: Balance Pitta, May Aggravate Vata and Kapha.

Ayurvedic Applications

Pachana, Depana, Vrushya, Garbhashaya Vishodhana, Jwara, Pradara, Kasa, Antrasula, Suryavarta, Prameha.

Medicinal Uses

Gudhal flowers used in the treatment of excessive and painful menstruation, cystitis, venereal diseases, feverish illnesses, bronchial catarrh, coughs and to promote hair growth. The flowers are also used in the treatment of carbuncles, mumps, fever, sores and treatment of venereal diseases. The flower buds are used to remove burning of the body, vaginal and urinary discharges, seminal weakness and piles. It is also used in diseases like diarrhoea, colitis, menorrhagia, and leucorrhea.