Linn.Family: Malvaceae.
Habitat: Cultivated mainly in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
English: Asiatic Cotton, Levant Cotton, Uppam Cotton.Ayurvedic: Kaarpaasa, Kaarpaasi, Kaarpaasaka, Rakta-Kaarpaasa, Shona-Kaarpaasa, Samudraantaa, Tuula, Pichu, Bhaaradwaaji, Tundikeri.Unani: Pambahdaanaa. (Seed.)Siddha/Tamil: ParuttikkootamAction: Root bark—diuretic, oxytocic. Bark—emmenagogue, haemostatic. Seed—demulcent, laxative, expectorant, abortifacient, galactagogue, nervine, anticepha- lalgic.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia recommends the seed oil for toning up the breast.The seed contains 21.3-25.2% protein, free gossypol 0.82-1.96%.Dosage: Seeds, devoid of lint—3- 6 g powder. (API Vol. I.)