Ambrette: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

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 & Effectiveness

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.

Special Precautions and Warnings

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 Ambrette
Myricetin, 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.

View References

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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.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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