Medicinal Plants

Malvaviscus arboreus Dill. ex Cav.

Kembang Sepatu Lipstik

Malvaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Malvaviscus arboreus (Kembang Sepatu Lipstik) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Malvaviscus arboreus (Kembang Sepatu Lipstik) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Malvaviscus arboreus (Kembang Sepatu Lipstik)

Summary

Kembang sepatu lipstik (Malvaviscus arboreus) is a shrub up to 1 meter tall from the Malvaceae family that originates from Mexico and Central America. Its lipstick-like flowers attract birds, making it popular in gardens, while its flowers and fruit can be processed into jelly, herbal tea, and natural red dye. Kembang sepatu lipstik is traditionally used in Central America and Haiti to treat fever and hypertension.

Agroecology

M. arboreus grows in wet areas at moderate elevations (0-2,000 m) in coastal areas, disturbed sites, mesic forests, riverbanks, and secondary forests. M. arboreus grows best in areas with full sun or partial shade in well-drained sandy soil. If grown in partial shade, the plant produces fewer flowers due to reduced light. Average annual air temperature 12-25 °C, average annual rainfall 1,000-3,500 mm/year. Grows well in fertile, moist loamy soil.

Morphology

  • Stem cylindrical, upper stem greenish and velvety to the touch, woody near the base.
  • Leaves arranged alternately, stalked, broad leaves heart-shaped to ovate-cordate, three-lobed or with a smooth margin, 6-12 cm long and 2.5-10 cm wide.
  • Flowers red and tubular appearing singly in the leaf axils, about 2-3.5 cm long with 5 sepals.
  • Fruit a fleshy capsule that ripens to bright red and usually contains 3-4 seeds.
  • Seeds reniform or subglobose shape and brownish in color.

Cultivation

Generative propagation (seeds) and vegetative propagation (layering and stem cuttings).

Chemical Content

Flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, sterols, terpenoids, and fatty acids.

Benefits

Fever, cough, colds and flu, hypertension, diabetes, gallstones, mouthwash for sore throat, bronchitis, diarrhea, canker sores and tonsillitis, cystitis, diarrhea, gastritis, relieves itching, softens skin, stimulates hair growth.

Simplisia

  • Prepare fresh kembang sepatu lipstik leaves as needed, wash clean with running water.
  • Dry under sunlight or with an oven at 40 °C until moisture content reaches 10%.
  • Blend into powder.
  • Store in a clean, airtight place.

Local Names

No information found. Further research needed.

Traditional Recipes

The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Traditional recipe Diarrhea from Kembang Sepatu Lipstik

1. Diarrhea

  • Take kembang sepatu lipstik leaves and wash until clean.
  • Boil until boiling.
  • Let stand until warm/cool.
  • Strain, then drink.
Traditional recipe Fever from Kembang Sepatu Lipstik

2. Fever

  • Pick kembang sepatu lipstik flowers and wash until clean.
  • Boil the flowers until boiling.
  • Strain the decoction.
  • Drink while warm.

Reference Sources

  1. Wild Flower. 2013. Malvaviscus arboreus Dill. ex Cav.. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=maar14. 28-09-2021.
  2. Flora Fauna Web. 2019. Malvaviscus arboreus Cav.. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/2/2208. 28-09-2021.
  3. Royal Botanic Gardens. 2021. Plants of the World Online: Malvaviscus arboreus Dill. ex Cav.. http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30041958-2. 28-09-2021.
  4. CAB International. 2019. Malvaviscus arboreus (wax mallow). https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/32383. 28-09-2021.
  5. Healthbenefitstimes. 2021. Health benefits of Wax Mallow. https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/wax-mallow/. 28-09-2021.
  6. Omnia Hesham Abdelhafez, John Refaat Fahim, Usama Ramadan Abdelmohsen, Samar Yehia Desoukey. 2021. Headspace Volatiles of the Leaves and Flowers of Malvaviscus arboreus Cav. (Malvaceae). Article J. Mex. Chem. Soc. 2021, 65(1) Regular Issue ©2021, Sociedad Química de México ISSN-e 2594-0317 141. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348155061_Headspace_Volatiles_of_the_Leaves_and_Flowers_of_Malvaviscus_arboreus_Cav_Malvaceae. 28-09-2021.