Download Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa

VICARP R & D
INFORMATION SHEETS
GUMAMELA
(Hibiscus rosa-senensis Linn.)
a. Habit of flowering branch
GUMAMELA is a native of the Old World, but is now
grown all over tropics. It has long been cultivated in
China, Japan, and the Pacific since time when the
European first reached the Far East. At that time,
varieties were introduced ranging form pink to white.
It was in China where they encountered yellow
flowers. This plant, scientifically called Hibiscus
rosa-senensis Linn., is now spontaneous
throughout the Philippines. It belong to the family
Malvaceae. It is cultivated mostly for ornamental
purposes and is also planted as fences or hedges.
There are almost a dozen names given to this
species. In Tagalog and Bisaya, it is known as
ANTALOÑGAN; in Pampanggo, AROTAÑGAN; in
Tagalog, GUMAMELA; in Bisaya, and Pampanggo,
GOMAMELA; in Ilocano, Bikol and Bisaya,
KAYAÑGA; SAYSAYA in Bontok; TAPULOÑGA in
Tagalog and Pampanggo; TAPURANGA in Bisaya;
TAROKANG in Bisaya and Pampanggo; and
TAUKANGGA in Sulu. This herb is known in English
as HIBISCUS, CHINA ROSE, and SHOE FLOWER.
There are numerous medicinal uses of this
ornamental both in the Philippines and in other
countries abroad. The Filipinos pulverize and mash the flower buds to produce a
poultice for boils. The buds are also used to treat cancerous swellings and mumps. The
leaves and flowers can similarly be used externally with lime to hasten the maturation to
tumors. The roots, leaves and flowers in decoction are prepared as an emollient.
This species is a brightly colored, decorative shrub which can reach a height of 20 feet.
The smooth barks yield strong fibers. It has bell-shaped flowers which bloom singly on
long stems. From the center of each flower, projects a long, pale-crimson staminal
column, ending in a crimson style. Usually, it is darker red at the base and the color of
the petals varies in different plants, ranging from orange, yellow to magenta. Few of the
double flowers can bear seed. Single flowers may yield a dry, ovoid, five-valve capsule
which encloses 3 or more seeds. The shiny, narrow to broadly egg-shaped leaves
measures about 3 to 4 inches long and is coarsely toothed at the margins.
Hermes G. Gutierrez
National Research Council of the Philippines
Bicutan, Tagig, Metro Manila
October 1, 1980
VICARP R & D
INFORMATION SHEETS
This species is found to contain hibiscustin.
In Malaysia, a decoction of the root is taken internally for venereal diseases and fevers.
The root is also used for cough and for swelling in the neck. As an infusion or as a
poultice, the leaves are used to cure headaches. A draught containing the juice of the
white flower is recommended in cases of thrush spring in diphtheria. An infusion of the
flowers might be used as an expectorant in bronchitis, or as a cure for gonorrhea.
The Chinese and Annamites employ the flowers against paralysis and dysmenorrhoea.
Oil made by mixing the juice of the fresh petals and olive oil in equal proportions and
boiling until the water has been evaporated, is useful as a stimulating tonic for
increasing and improving the color of the hair. The seeds, pounded into a pulp and
mixed with water, are given to treat gonorrhea.
In Indonesia, similar methods can be applied. Midwives apply the mucilages during
labour. Leaf extract, mixed with Vernonia cinerea (Linn.) Less., is used to facilitate the
expulsion of the placenta after childbirth. Pulped buds may likewise be used for external
application.
The red flowers are employed in Indonesia to regulate menstruation. They also contain
purgative and sometimes abortive properties. But the latter must be taken with papaya
seeds to become effective, the flowers are used to treat chronic inflammation of the
mucous membrane of the digestive tract. Diarrhea, stomatitis, anemia, indigestion and
emanciation mark this. The Chinese and Amannese also use the bark as an
emmenagogue. The Hawaiians, however, eat the raw flowers to aid in digestion; while
the Chinese pickle it before eating.
Hermes G. Gutierrez
National Research Council of the Philippines
Bicutan, Tagig, Metro Manila
October 1, 1980