Parts of Gumamela and its Functions

The Gumamela flower is also commonly known as the hibiscus flower. Its composition is a lot like every other flower whose sole purpose is to help a plant reproduce. Its distinguishing features are large petals, often forming a trumpet-shape and a prominent stamen tube that is unique to the gumamela flower.

Anthers
Anthers, the flower's male part, are connected to the top of the stamen and support pollen sacs. The gumamela has dozens of stamens whereas most flowers have only five.

Stamen Tube
The anthers are attached to filaments that join together and form the stamen tube, also known as the stamina column. This is unique to the gumamela.

Style
The style, or flower's ovary, is housed in the stamen column. The style branches out into five arms outside the stamina column. Each arm supports one of the gumamela's stigma.

Stigma
Male pollen grains are deposited onto the stigma. The stigma contains the flower's ovules that will start to turn into seeds after they are pollinated.

Petals
The gumamela's petals, also known as the corolla, have shallow lobes. The flower has only five petals. Gumamela breeders develop flowers with many "petals"---stamens that are bred to look like petals---to make a larger, fuller-looking flower. Sepals The sepals are modified leaves surrounding the gumamela's petals, serving to protect the flower, especially when it's still a bud.

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, antiinfectious, 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).

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

Source(s):
http://www.philippineherbalmedicine.org/

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