Siddha/Tamil Nilatutti.
Action Juice of the plant— invigorating, spermatopoietic, used in spermatorrhoea. Seeds— nervine tonic. Root—(official part in Indian medicine) used for the treatment of rheumatism; neurological disorders (hemiplegia, facial paralysis, sciatica); polyuria, dysuria, cystitis, strangury and hematuria; leucorrhoea and other uterine disorders; fevers and general debility. Leaves—demulcent, febrifuge; used in dysentery.
Ephedrine and si-ephedrine are the
major alkaloids in the aerial parts.
The total alkaloid content is report e to be 0.085%, the seeds contain the
maximum amount. In addition to al kaloids the seeds contain a fatty oil
(3.23%), steroids, phytosterols, resin,
resin acids, mucin and potassium ni trate. The root contains alkaloids—ephed rine si-ephedrine, beta-phenethyl amine carboxylated tryptamines and
hypaphorine, quinazoline alkaloids—
vasicinone, vasicine and vasicinol.
Choline and betaine have also been
isolated.
A sitoindoside, isolated from the
plant, has been reported to exhibit
adaptogenic and immunostimulatory
activities. Alcoholic extract of the plant
possesses antibacterial and antipyretic propeptide. Ethanolic extract of the plant depresses blood pressure in cats and dogs.
Sida rhombifolia Linn.
Family Malvaceae.
Habitat Throughout India, in moist places.
English Common Bala. Ayurvedic Mahaabalaa, Mahaasamangaa, Sahadevaa, Kshetrabalaa.
Unani Bariyaara (red-flowered var.).
Siddha/Tamil Athi Bala-chedi, Chitrmutti, Tennacham.
Action Plant—used as a supporting drug in pulmonary tuberculosis, nervous diseases and rheumatism. Leaves—applied to swelling as paste. Stem-mucilage—demulcent and emollient. Used internally in skin diseases and as a diuretic and febrifuge.
