BALA-SIDA CORDIFOLIA
Kingdom-plantae
Order-malvales
Family-malvaceae
Genus-sida
Species-sida cordifolia
The medicines popularly used in Kerala such as Ksheerabala,
Dhanwantaram, Bala thailam, Balarishta all contain Sida cordifolia as the main
ingredient. Based upon its usage it has been classified as vata hara oushada,
that is drugs alleiviating neurological and rheumatic complaints. It is called
as BALA in Ayuveda. About 21 drugs have been given the name bala in Ayurvedic
pharmacoepia, so it is bit of controversy as to what particular species is to
be used for what medicines. The main five varieties are
1.Sida retusa
2.Sida cordifolia
3.Sida acuta
4.Sida veronicofolia
5.Sida spinosa
In south india Sida retusa is commonly used, while in north
india sida cordifolia is used.
AYURVEDIC PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Rasa-madhura
Guna-sara, snighdha
Veerya-sheeta
Vipaka-madhura
Habitat
Throughout India in moist places.
English name-Country Mallow
Ayurvedic names- Bala, Sumangaa, Khara yashtikaa, Balini,
Bhadrabalaa, Bhadraudani, Vaatyalikaa.
Unani-Bariyaara, Khirhat, Khireti, Kunayi
Siddha/Tamil-Nila tutti
Botanical description
S.C is an erect perennial that reaches 50-200 cm tall with
entire plant covered with soft white felt like hairs that is responsible for
one of its common names “flannel-weed”. The stems are yellow green, hairy, long
& slender. The yellow green leaves are oblong ovate, covered with hair and
3.5 to 7.5 cm long by 2.5 to 6cm wide. The flowers are dark yellow, sometimes
with a darker orange center, with a hairy five lobed calyx and five lobed
corolla.
Medicinal Uses
In India- used in neurological ailments especially in stroke
rehabilitation
In Brazil-known as “malva brancha” used for inflammation of
oral mucosa, blenorrhoea, asthmatic bronchitis, nasal congestion, stomatitis
In Africa-for various ailments esp. respiratory disorders
Ephedrine possess psychostimulant properties affecting CNS
nad Heart, the plant has demonstarted anti-pyretic and anti-ulcerogenic
properties.
Action
Juice of plant - invigorating,
spermatopoietic used in spermatoorhoea
Seeds-nervine tonic
Root (official part in Indian Medicine)-used for treatment
of Rheumatism, neurological disorders like Hemiplegia, Bells palsy, Sciatica ;
polyuria, dysuria; cystitis, strangury and hematuria ; leucoorhoea and other
uterine disorders ; fevers and general debility.
Leaves-demulcent, febrifuge ; used in dysentry.
Active components
Ephedrine and si-ephidrine are the major alkaloids in the
ariel parts. The total alkaloid content is reprted to be 0.085% the seeds
contain the maximum amount.
Roots contain alkaloids ephedrine, si-ephidrine, beta
phenethylamine, carboxylated tryptamines, hypaphorine, quinezoline
alkaloids-vascicine, vascine and vasicinol. Choline and betaine have also been
isolated.
A sitoindoside, isolated from the plant has been reported to
exhibit adaptogenic and immuno stimulatory activities.
Alcohol extract of the plant possess anti bacterial and anti
pyretic properties.
Ethanolic extract of the plant depresses blood pressure in
cats and dogs.
THERAPEUTIC USES OF SIDA CORDIFOLIA
-S.C ( sida cordifolia) whole plant or root decoction, 30ml
b.d, before food is used to treat gonorrhoea, piles, neurological complaints,
fever.
-S.C milk decoction 25ml b.d. before food for pregnant ladies
from 5th month for fatigue and easy delivery
-oil prepared out of decoction of S.C and its paste is externally applied in
neurological complaints
-decoction of equal quantities of Desmostachya bipinnata,
Sida cordifolia and Tribulus terrestris , 25ml tds before food continually for
three days for fever
-decoction of equal quantities of Holarrhena antidysentrica,
Vitex negundo, Sida cordifolia, Allium sativum , 25ml bd before food used in
rheumatism, neurological complaints
-milk decoctionn of roots of S.C. for menorrhagia and
leucorrhoea
-decoction of S.C. and ginger in fever.
(reference : springers text of indian medicinal plants,
nesamanis text of indian medicinal plants, wikipedia)
