Lata Kasturi
Abelmoschus moschatus
Lata Kasturi (Abelmoschus moschatus) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Musk-like aromatic compounds (ambrettolide) are lipophilic with good transdermal absorption. Oral bioavailability enhanced by co-administration with fatty meals. Essential oil components are rapidly absorbed through inhalation and skin.
| Botanical name | Abelmoschus moschatus |
|---|---|
| Family | Malvaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Malvales |
| Also known as | Lata Kasturi, LataKasturi |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 8312665 · Wikidata Q2086536 · NCBI Taxonomy 1170222 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Lata Kasturi |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Madhura, Tikta | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Snigdha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Madhura | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Capsules, Essential oil, Taila (medicated oil), Lepa (topical paste), Infusion
Standard Dosage: 1-3 g seed powder per day; 2-5 drops essential oil for aromatherapy; topical application as needed
Bioavailability: Moderate bioavailability of ambrette seed bioactives. Musk-like aromatic compounds (ambrettolide) are lipophilic with good transdermal absorption. Oral bioavailability enhanced by co-administration with fatty meals. Essential oil components are rapidly absorbed through inhalation and skin.
Optimal Timing: Morning for internal use as adaptogen; evening for aromatherapy and relaxation; topical use as needed
Standardized Extract: Supercritical CO2 extract standardized to minimum 8% ambrettolide. Seed powder standardized to minimum 0.2% essential oil content. Hydroalcoholic extract (8:1) with minimum 1.5% total flavonoids.
Shelf Life: 24 months for seed powder; 36 months for essential oil in sealed amber vials; 18 months for capsules; 24 months for medicated oils
Storage: Store essential oil in amber glass bottles at 15-25 deg C, tightly sealed. Seed powder in airtight containers below 25 deg C, protected from moisture. Medicated oils in cool, dark conditions.
Marker Compounds: Ambrettolide, Farnesol, Farnesyl acetate, Decyl acetate, Myricetin, Quercetin-3-glucoside
Extraction Methods
- Steam distillation of seeds for essential oil
- Supercritical CO2 extraction (preferred for ambrettolide)
- Cold pressing of seeds
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60% ethanol)
- Solvent extraction with hexane followed by ethanol
Synergistic Combinations
- Jatamansi (nervine and aromatic synergy)
- Chandana/Sandalwood (aromatic and cooling combination)
- Ashwagandha (adaptogenic and aphrodisiac synergy)
- Kumkuma/Saffron (luxury Rasayana formulation)
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1
Other clinical studies and reviews2
- 2020. Complete chloroplast genomes of three important species, Abelmoschus moschatus, A. manihot and A. sagittifolius: Genome structures, mutational hotspots, comparative and phylogenetic analysis in MalvaceaePloS one. PMID 33237925 · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0242591
- 2019. Enzymes inhibitors from natural sources with antidiabetic activity: A reviewPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 30417583 · doi:10.1002/ptr.6211
Laboratory and animal studies9
- 2026. Elevated ozone reprograms secondary metabolism in Abelmoschus moschatus pods, enhancing antidiabetic and antiobesity bioactivitiesPlant cell reports. PMID 42622685 · doi:10.1007/s00299-026-03932-4
- 2022. New record of mungbean yellow mosaic India virus in Desmodium laxiflorum and association of bhendi yellow vein mosaic betasatellite in Abelmoschus moschatus in Andhra Pradesh, IndiaVirusdisease. PMID 35493751 · doi:10.1007/s13337-021-00749-5
- 2022. Hyperoside, a natural flavonoid compound, attenuates Triptolide-induced testicular damage by activating the Keap1-Nrf2 and SIRT1-PGC1α signalling pathwayThe Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. PMID 35325199 · doi:10.1093/jpp/rgac011
- 2021. Cryopreservation of pollen of Abelmoschus moschatus Medik. subsp. moschatus as an aid to overcome asynchronous flowering for wide hybridization with cultivated Okra [A. esculentus (L.) Moench]Cryo letters. PMID 35363843
- 2020. Acute and 28-Day Repeated-Dose Oral Toxicity Assessment of Abelmoschus moschatus Medik. in Healthy Wistar RatsEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 32655655 · doi:10.1155/2020/1359050
- 2016. Antiurolithiatic activity of Abelmoschus moschatus seed extracts against zinc disc implantation-induced urolithiasis in ratsJournal of basic and clinical pharmacy. PMID 27057124 · doi:10.4103/0976-0105.177704
- 2015. Isolation and purification of trypsin inhibitors from the seeds of Abelmoschus moschatus LApplied biochemistry and biotechnology. PMID 25701144 · doi:10.1007/s12010-015-1542-1
- 2013. Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. and Abelmoschus moschatus Medik: seeds production and analysis of the volatile compoundsFood chemistry. PMID 23768323 · doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.02.030
- 2011. Evaluation of Abelmoschus moschatus extracts for antioxidant, free radical scavenging, antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities using in vitro assaysBMC complementary and alternative medicine. PMID 21849051 · doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-64
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