Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn)

Vegan Health and Fitness
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About Gumamela
Gumamela is a shrub that grows from one meter up to 4 meters high. Gumamela is also known as: Hibiscus, China Rose and Shoeflower. In the Philippines, gumamela is cultivated as an ornamental plant. The gumamela flower comes in many colors: red, yellow, orange, white, purple, pink and other color combinations.

Gumamela leaves, usually blended with Rose Hip has long been used in the Middle East and Okinawa as herbal tea. Today, the use of gumamela tea is gaining worldwide popularity - including Asia. Gumamela (Hibiscus) is associated with longevity.

Gumamela as Herbal Medicine
As herbal medicine, gumamela flower, leaves and roots are used. Gumamela has the following medicinal characteristics: expectorant, diuretic, emollient, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anodyne and refrigerant.

Preparation & Use of Gumamela:
There are two ways to utilize gumamela as herbal medicine. One is dried and the other is fresh. For Dried gumamela, collect the flower, leaves and/or roots. Wash, then cut into small pieces and sun dry. To use as decoction, boil the dried gumamela parts (1/4 cup dried gumamela in 1 glass of water)

To make a decoction from fresh gumamela, Wash gumamela flower and/or leaves, cut into small pieces and boil (1/3 cup in 1 glass of water), let cool and drink.

Use Gumamela as Poultice:
Poultice is the use or fresh or dried herbs that is mashed, crushed or pounded - often heated (boiled in water to soften and heat the herb) and applied directly to the skin. A clean cloth or gauze can be used to help the poultice stay in place.

Gumamela is used for the treatment of:
• Bronchitis - as an expectorant
• Coughs, sore throat
• Fever - as refrigerant drink
• Treats dysentery
• Urinary tract infection, bladder infections
• High blood pressure
• Prevention of constipation
• Headaches
• Boils, swelling & abscesses, mumps

Application & Use of Gumamela:
• Decoction is used to treat: Bronchitis, coughs, fever, dysentery, urinary and bladder infections, high blood pressure and constipation.
• Poultice is applied externally on the afflicted area. This is used to treat: headaches (on the forehead), boils, swelling, abscesses and mumps.
• Intake of gumamela (alone or mixed with papaya or papaya seeds) specially in large quantities can be an abortifacient.

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I actually did not know that gumamela can treat illnesses because in our place its use is for decorations only.

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Hi Floritine! May I know from where are you?

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As far as i know gumamela really has a lot of benefits aside from making it as a decoration at home.

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Hello everyone.

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I also know that gumamela is used for flower arrangements. I ordered a flower arrangement from a flower delivery from uk once and there were gumamela included! But I also know hibiscus tea, but I have to admit that it isn’t one of my favourites. I think I prefer other herbal tea flavours :wink: But it’s good to know that it’s healthy and can cure illnesses.

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I do not really know to treat diseases gumamela, because our position is used for decoration only.

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Gumamela is a shrub that is highly cultivated as an ornamental plant in the Philippines. It is the local term used in the Philippines for Hibiscus, China Rose, and Shoeflower. This plant has a scientific name known as Hibiscus rosasinensis. Usually, this ornamental plant grows from one meter up to four meters high. Its flower may come in various colors similar to orange, white, pink, yellow, red, purple, and other color combinations…
Here are some of its health benefits:
=> Prevents constipation.
=> Decoction of its leaves, flowers, and roots used as emollient.
=>The seeds are used as stimulants and as cramps reliever.