A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
BALA (Sida cordifolia) & ATIBALA (Abutilon indicum)
Latin Name:
Bala: Sida cordifolia Linn.
Atibala: Abutilon indicum Linn.
Family: Malvaceae (Karpasa Kula) for both.
Classical Gana/Varga:
Charaka Samhita: Balya (strength-promoting), Bṛṃhaṇīya (nourishing), Prajāsthāpana (supporting progeny), Madhura Skandha (group of herbs with sweet taste).
Sushruta Samhita: Vātasaṃśamana (alleviates Vata), Madhura (sweet).
Sanskrit Synonyms:
Bala: Bala, Vātyālīkā, Kharayaṣṭikā, Vatyā.
Atibala: Kaṅkaṭikā, Ṛṣyaprokta, Mudrikā, Balikā.
Regional Names:
Bala:
Hindi: Bariyar, Khirainti
Marathi: Chikana
Tamil: Paniyat, Tutti
Telugu: Telantis
Kannada: Hettuti
Malayalam: Vellurum
English: Country Mallow
Atibala:
Hindi: Kandhi
Marathi: Mudra, Petari
Tamil: Tutti
Telugu: Mushfulagul
Kannada: Shrimudrigida
English: Country Mallow
Morphology:
Bala: A herb (0.75-1.5 meters tall) with a strong root and stem. Leaves are cordate, 2.5-7 cm long, with serrated margins and fine hairs. Flowers are angular, yellow or white. Fruit is small (6-8 mm) with 5 compartments. Seeds are small, smoky, or black. Flowers from August to December.
Atibala: A shrub (1.25-2 meters tall). Leaves are covered with soft hair with serrated margins. Flowers are yellow, 2.5 cm in diameter. The fruit is brownish-smoky, flat, and shaped like a wheel with spokes, hence the name 'Mudrika' (resembling a seal). Flowers in the rainy season (Varṣa Ṛtu).
Habitat: Found all over India.
Part Used: Root, Seeds, and the whole plant (Pañcāṅga).
Purification (Śodhana): The provided text does not specify a classical purification (Śodhana) process for Bala or Atibala.
Preservation: Dried roots and other parts should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Note: The text states Bala and Atibala have similar attributes. The following is inferred from their classification in Madhura Skandha and Vātasaṃśamana Gana.
Attribute (Guṇa) Property (Inferred from Gana)
Rasa (Taste) Madhura (Sweet)
Guṇa (Qualities) Snigdha (Unctuous), Guru (Heavy) - typical of nourishing herbs.
Vīrya (Potency) Śīta (Cooling)
Vipāka (Post-digestive) Madhura (Sweet)
Dosha Karma: Primarily Vātahara (pacifies Vata). Their nourishing (Bṛṃhaṇa) quality also helps balance Vata.
Srotas Karma (Actions by Body System):
Rasavaha / Raktavaha Srotas (Circulatory/Plasma & Blood Systems): The juice of Bala Pañcāṅga is nourishing to the tissues (Dhātus) and is used with milk and sugar for Raktapitta (bleeding disorders). Modern Correlation: Hemorrhagic conditions, weakness, anemia.
General Action: Both herbs are Balya (strength-promoting) and Bṛṃhaṇīya (nourishing), indicating a broad restorative effect on the entire body.
Primary Actions: Balya (Adaptogen/Strength-promoting), Bṛṃhaṇa (Nourishing), Vātasaṃśamana (Vata-alleviating), Prajāsthāpana (Supporting reproductive health).
Dosage (Mātrā):
Bala Pañcāṅga Juice (Svarasa): 25 to 50 ml.
Anupāna (Vehicle): Milk, Sugar candy.
Important Formulations (Kalpa): Balādi Kvātha, Balādyaghṛta, Balādyāriṣṭa, Chandanabalalakṣādī Taila, Dhanvantari Taila.
Contraindications (Nivārita): The text does not specify contraindications. However, due to their heavy and nourishing properties, they should be used with caution in conditions of severe indigestion (Āma) and Kapha aggravation.
Symptoms of Toxicity (Aśuddha Viṣa Lakṣaṇa): Data not provided in the source.
Antidote & Treatment (Viṣa Chikitsā): Data not provided in the source.
Chemical Composition:
Bala Root: Contains 0.085% alkaloids, primarily Ephedrine. Also contains β-sitosterol, phytosterol, resin, resinic acid, mucin, and potassium nitrate. Seeds contain 0.32% alkaloids.
Atibala Root: Contains an alkaloid Asperagine and an oil with fatty acids (linoleic, stearic, palmitic, etc.). The oil is a good analgesic. Seeds contain mucilage.
Research Notes: Screening of Bala, Atibala, Mahābala, and Bhūmibala showed immuno-enhancing properties, augmenting the production of anti-S.typhi-O antibodies in treated animals. Atibala (Abutilon indicum) was the most effective in augmenting antibody production.
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II. NAGABALA (Grewia hirsuta)
Latin Name: Grewia hirsuta Vahl. (Some authors identify it as Sida spinosa L., family Malvaceae).
Family: Tiliaceae
Classical Gana/Varga: Unmentioned in the provided text.
Sanskrit Synonyms: Nāgabalā, Gudaśarkarā, Kharagandhā, Catuṣphalā, Gavedhukā.
Regional Names:
Hindi: Gulshakari, Gudakhandi
Marathi: Govali
Tamil: Tavidu
Telugu: Jipilike
Morphology: A perennial herb, 1.25 to 2.5 meters tall. Leaves are lanceolate, 5-8 cm long, covered with fine hair, with serrated margins. 2-3 flowers appear at the base of each leaf, changing color from white to yellow to pink as they open. The fruit is small, yellow, four-chambered, dehiscent upon ripening, and has a pleasant smell (known as Shikari Meva). Seeds are 5-7 per fruit. Flowers in the rainy season and fruits in early winter (Hemanta Ṛtu).
Habitat: Data not provided in the source.
Part Used: Data not provided in the source.
Purification (Śodhana): Data not provided in the source.
Preservation: Data not provided in the source.
The provided text does not contain this information for Nagabala.
4. Pharmacological Properties & Therapeutic Indications (Karma-Prayoga)
The provided text only gives the botanical description of Nagabala and does not detail its pharmacological properties or therapeutic uses.
5. Dosage, Administration & Important Formulations (Mātrā, Anupāna, Kalpa)
Data not provided in the source.
Data not provided in the source.
7. Modern Scientific Correlates
Chemical Composition: Data not provided in the source.