Velvet leaf or Chinese jute scientifically known as Abutilon theophrasti Medik. It is a plant of the genus Abutilon Mill and belongs to the annual plant belonging to the Malvaceae (Mallow family). Today we will talk about the health benefits of velvet leaf, keep reading this article to the end.
Velvet leaf is native to the Mediterranean or a wider area including Asia, and European countries with a temperate climate. This plants are now cultivated in Asia, Europe, Australia, and America. Velvet also grows in Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Sumbawa and Sulawesi regions).
The velvet leaf plants have many names, including: Abutilon hemp, Abutilon-hemp, Ching ma lantern, American jute, Butter print, American velvet leaf, Butter print velvet-leaf, Button weed, China-jute, Butterweed, Tientsin-jute, Swamp Chinese lantern, Ching ma jute, Cotton weed, Wild cotton, Indian hemp, Flower of an hour, King ma jute, Pie maker, Velvet weed, Indian-mallow, Velvet leaf, Velvet-leaved jute, Velvet leaf abutilon, and Velvet-leaf Indian mallow. In Chinese medicine, the leaves, seeds, and roots are an important part of the herb.
Table of Contents
Plant Description
Velvet Leaf is an erect, herbaceous, perennial and sub-shrub plant, and grows up to 8 feet tall. But most grow only 2-3 feet tall. Where do velvet leaves grow? These are plants that grow in empty areas, empty fields, abandoned land, fields, gardens, roadsides, river banks, hillsides, ditches and others.
Velvet leaf is a plant that stands upright, with many branches at the top and it always has fine hairs on the stem, including on the small branches.
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Traditional uses and benefits of velvet leaves
- Velvet leaf is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of dysentery and eye cloudiness.
- Velvet leaves are also used as a sedative
- A leaf poultice can be used to treat boils by applying it to boils
- Tea from dried velvet leaves is used to treat dysentery and fever.
- The bark is astringent and diuretic
- Tea from the dried root of the velvet plant is a remedy for dysentery and urinary incontinence.
- Velvet leaves are also used to treat fever
- The seeds can be eaten to treat stomach pain and dysentery
- Herbal medicine to treat fever and diarrhea
- Cure diseases related to the eye such as cataracts
- Cure digestive diseases, and increase appetite
- Act as an astringent, effectively stop the bleeding from the wound
- Heals bruises, moisturizes the skin, relieves inflammation and swelling
- Can kill pain, useful herbs also to increase the flow of urine and bowel movements.
- Remove toxins from the human body.
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Culinary uses of velvet-leaf
– The seeds can be consumed raw or cooked
– Ripe seeds can be ground and powdered, this powder can be used in soups and breads.
Other Facts About Velvet-leaf
- The fiber from the stems is used instead of hemp
- It is rugged and flexible, strong
- Also used in rope making
- Used in dyes
- The fiber is also used in making paper, the stems are usually harvested in summer, the stems are steamed and the leaves removed, to remove the fiber.
- Leather fibers from China Jute or velvet leaf are used to make ropes, bags, fishing nets, rough cloth, or used to caulk boats, have been used in China since 2000 BC.
- In an emergency, the smooth leaves of the velvet plant are used instead of toilet paper
- Semi-wet oil for soap and polish making
- Each china jute plant produces 700 to 17,000 viable seeds.
- This seed can live in the soil for more than 50 years
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Precautions
– Do not consume during pregnancy and breastfeeding
– Excessive consumption can cause hallucinations, speech disturbances, diplopia, and mild excitability.
