Sida cordifolia

Related Terms

Alkaloids, asparagin, bala (Sanskrit), barial, bariar, batyalaka, beejband, bhadraudani (Sanskrit), bijabanda, bijband, brela, chikana, chiribenda, chitimutti, coronaric acid, country mallow, ephedrine, essential oils, flannel weed, fumaric acid, gelatin, hettuti-gida, hypaphorine, Indian ephedra, janglimethi, kharenti, khareti (Hindi), kisangi, kungyi, mallow plant, malva branca (Brazil), malva-branca-sedosa (Brazil), Malvaceae (family), malvalic acid, mayir-manikham, mucin, muttuva, palmitic acid, paniyar-tutti, phytosterols, potassium nitrate, rutin, samamsa (Sanskrit), samanga (Sanskrit), Sida althaeitolia, Sida cordifolia spp., Sida herbacea, Sida rotundifolia, silky white mallow, simak, sitapaki (Sanskrit), stearic acid, sterculic acid, svarayastika (Sanskrit), tupkaria, tutturabenda, vasicine, vasicinol, vasicinone, vatya (Sanskrit), vatyalaka (Sanskrit), vatyodarahava (Sanskrit), velluram, white mallow.

Background

Bala (Sida cordifolia) is native to tropical regions of India and Sri Lanka. The plant is considered to be one of the most valuable medicinal plants in Ayurveda, the ancient traditional medical system of India. Bala is said to contain five of the six tastes, a rare property, indicating that it provides nourishment from the five mahabhutas (earth, water, fire, air, and space). Bala has been used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including aching joints and bones, asthma, chills, colds, cough, fever, flu, headache, nasal congestion, nerve pain, wheezing, and wounds, and it has been used as an aphrodisiac.
Bala is associated with Parvathi, the ancient Hindu goddess of beauty and grace. The herb is part of a trio of "beautifying" herbs, together with ashoka and shatavari, associated with women in Indian herbal folk medicine.
In India, bala is incorporated in many types of products, including moisturizing creams, massage and baby oils, and shampoo. Bala contains ephedrine, and several nutritional companies include it in weight loss products.
Despite its long history of traditional medicinal use, clinical evidence supporting the use of bala to treat any condition in humans is lacking.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Doses from clinical trials are lacking. One capsule containing 300 milligrams of bala has been taken by mouth. Five to 10 milliliters of a bala tincture diluted 1:3 in 25% alcohol has been taken by mouth daily in divided doses. Ten grams of bala per cup of water has been steeped for at least one hour and taken by mouth as tea.
For elephantiasis, the juice of the whole plant has been pounded with a little water, made into paste with the juice of the palmyra tree, and applied to the affected area.
For eye disease, a paste made from bala leaves has been applied to the affected eye.
For general musculoskeletal soreness, bala oil has been used to massage the affected area.
For gonorrhea, whole plant juice has been pounded with water and taken by mouth as tea in doses of 1/4 seer (approximately one cup).
For wound dressing, a paste made from bala leaves has been applied to the affected area.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Bala may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Bala may cause changes in blood pressure. Caution is advised in patients taking drugs that affect blood pressure.
Bala may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs, such as CNS (central nervous system) depressants. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan?) or diazepam (Valium?), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Bala may also interact with antiasthma agents, anticancer agents, antidepressant agents or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), anti-inflammatory agents, antiobesity agents, cardiac glycosides, cardiovascular drugs, CNS depressants or stimulants, ergot derivatives, pain relievers, or vasodilators.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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