JAPĀPUṢPA (HIBISCUS): AN AYURVEDIC REVIEW

JAPĀPUṢPA (HIBISCUS): AN AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Introduction

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, commonly known as Japāpuṣpa, Hibiscus, Chembarathi (Malayalam), or Gudhal (Hindi), is a widely used medicinal plant in Ayurveda belonging to the family Malvaceae.
It is revered in classical Ayurvedic texts for its sheeta, tikta, keśya (hair-nourishing), and kapha-pitta-shamana activities. Hibiscus holds an important position in both medicinal and cultural practices, including worship, beauty care, and therapeutic usage.

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Botanical Profile

• Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

• Family: Malvaceae

• Parts Used: Leaf, flower, root

Common Names

Language	Name
Hindi	गुड़हल
Malayalam	ചെമ്പരത്തി (Chembarathi)
Kannada	ದಾಸವಾಳ (Dasavala)
Tamil	செம்பருத்தி (Cembarutti)
Telugu	మందారం (Mandaram)
Marathi	जास्वंद (Jaswand)

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Sanskrit Synonyms

From various Nighantus:

• औण्ड्रपुष्पः

• त्रिसंध्या

• अरुणा

• सीता

• मण्डपुष्पा

• जपपुष्पा / जवा पुष्पा

• हरिवल्लभः

• हेमपुष्पः

• रक्तपुष्पी

• प्रातिका

• शिवप्रिया

These names reflect the plant’s colour variations, ritualistic significance, and therapeutic actions.

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Classical References

Bhāvaprakāśa

ओड्रपुष्पं जपा चाथ त्रिसन्ध्या सारुणा सिता ।
जपा संग्राहिणी केश्या त्रिसन्ध्या कफवातजित् ॥

Rājanighaṇṭu

जपा तु कटुरुष्णा स्यादिन्द्रलुप्तकनाशकृत्।
विच्छर्दिजन्तुजननी सूर्याराधनसाधनी॥

Kaiyyadeva Nighaṇṭu

जपापुष्पं जवापुष्पमोण्ड्रपुष्पं जवा जपा…
त्रिसन्ध्या शीतला तिक्ता विषपित्तकफापहा॥

Nighaṇṭu Ratnākara

जपापुष्पं लघु ग्राहि तिक्तं केशविवर्धनम्।

These references highlight the drug’s hair-promoting, cooling, anti-pitta, anti-kapha, insecticidal, and stabilizing effects.

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Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties (Dravya Guṇa)

Property	Description
Rasa (Taste)	कषाय (Astringent), तिक्त (Bitter)
Guna (Qualities)	लघु (Light), रूक्ष (Dry)
Veerya (Potency)	शीत (Cold)
Vipaka (Post-digestive)	कटु (Pungent)
Karma (Actions)	कफ-पित्त शमन, संग्राही, शीतल, केश्य, स्तम्भन

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Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)

• कफ-पित्त शमन – Reduces heat, inflammation, secretion.

• शीतल – Cooling, pitta-pacifying.

• संग्राही – Absorbent, helpful in bleeding disorders & diarrhea.

• केश्य – Promotes hair growth, improves hair root strength.

• स्तम्भन – Useful in excessive bleeding.

• रञ्जना – Enhances complexion.

• इन्द्रलुप्तनाशक – Effective in alopecia.

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Therapeutic Indications

1. Pitta & Rakta Disorders

• Bleeding piles

• Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding)

• Burning sensations

• Gastritis of pitta origin

2. Hair & Scalp Disorders

• Alopecia (Indralupta)

• Dandruff

• Weak hair roots

• Premature greying

3. Metabolic Conditions

• Diabetes (via bitter, cooling effect)

• Emaciation (when used with milk)

4. Women’s Health

• Dysmenorrhea

• Menorrhagia

• Lactation issues (in specific combinations)

5. Inflammatory & Skin Conditions

• Skin allergies

• Dermatitis

• Ulcerations with bleeding

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Medicinal Uses Based on Ayurveda

1. For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Method:

• Prepare a paste of tender hibiscus flowers

• Mix with milk

• Consume once daily during heavy bleeding days

Benefit:

• Stambhana, pitta-shamana and cooling action helps control bleeding.

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2. For Diabetes

Method:

• Soak hibiscus flowers overnight in water

• Filter and drink 30 ml early morning

Benefit:
Its tikta and cooling properties help regulate blood glucose.

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3. For Alopecia (Indralupta)

Method:

• Crush fresh hibiscus leaves & flowers

• Apply paste on scalp daily

• Also used in medicated oils

Benefit:
Promotes regrowth, nourishes hair follicles.

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4. For Heart Strengthening

Hibiscus is known to:

• Improve cardiac muscle tone

• Act as a mild cardiotonic

• Reduce pitta-related palpitations

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5. For Dysmenorrhea

Flower decoction taken with jaggery helps relieve spasm and pain.

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Ayurvedic Formulations Containing Hibiscus

• Patrangāsavam

• Chemparuthyadi Keratailam

• Japasava (regional)

• Japa Pushpa Hair Oils (various preparations)

Hibiscus is widely used in Kerala formulations for hair and scalp.

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Home Remedies

Hibiscus Tea

• Dried hibiscus calyxes boiled in water

• Effective for hypertension and mild hyperlipidemia (as per modern studies)

Hair Strengthening Pack

• Hibiscus leaf paste + Aloe vera gel

• Applied weekly for thick, soft, dandruff-free hair

Anti-inflammatory Paste

• Paste of flower + rose water

• Applied on inflamed skin or mild wounds

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Side Effects & Precautions

• Contraceptive effect – internal usage may reduce fertility.
  → Women trying to conceive should avoid internal hibiscus.

• Excessive use may aggravate vāta due to drying quality.

• Avoid in pregnancy, unless advised by a physician.

• May cause mild hypotension when taken as decoction or tea.

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Conclusion

Japāpuṣpa (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is a versatile Ayurvedic medicinal plant with significant applications in hair care, bleeding disorders, women’s health, diabetes, and inflammatory conditions. The flower’s sheeta, tikta, and sangrahi properties make it particularly useful for pitta and kapha disorders.
With extensive classical references and a wide pharmacological profile, hibiscus continues to hold an important place in Ayurvedic therapeutics and traditional household remedies.

जपापुष्पाष्टकं -📜 Sanskrit Poem (8 Lines)

१. अरुणवर्णविभा लक्ष्मीपादप्रतिष्ठितम् ।

२. शीतलं तिक्तभावाढ्यं पित्तक्लेशविनाशकम् ॥

३. केश्यं स्निग्धं मनोहारि रक्तपुष्पं मनोहरम् ।

४. इन्द्रलुप्तहरं नित्यं शोभनं मण्डपुष्पकम् ॥

५. विषपित्तहरं नित्यं स्तम्भनं संग्रही परम् ।

६. हृदयधातुवर्धन्यं सुपुष्टं हरिवल्लभम् ॥

७. पुष्पैः पानं मधुर्युक्तं स्त्रीरोगेषु प्रशस्यते ।

८. रात्रौ न्यस्तं जलं हित्वा मेहोन्मादहरं परम् ॥