Rasa (Taste)
Madhura
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Bala (Country mallow)
Bala is distributed throughout the hotter parts of India and a common weed that grows in waste places.
Medicinal Plant
Bala (Country mallow)
Sida cordifolia Linn · Malvaceae
Bala is distributed throughout the hotter parts of India and a common weed that grows in waste places.
Scientific Name
Sida cordifolia Linn
Family
Malvaceae
Hindi Name
Bariyar
Used Part
Mula (Root)
Botanical Description
About the Bala Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
Bala is distributed throughout the hotter parts of India and a common weed that grows in waste places. A wild undershrub that is herbaeceous, aerial, erect, cylindrical, branched and solid green . Leaf is alternate, cordate, serrate, acute and pubescent with reticulate venation. Flowers are complete , bisexual and yellow coloured with 5 petals. Fruit is schizocarp which is 6-8 mm in diameter.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Panchaka — Classical Properties
The five-fold framework Ayurveda uses to describe a drug — Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya and its effect on the doshas.
Guna (Qualities)
Snigdha, Guru
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Madhura
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
Vata pitta Shamak
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Sheeta
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Balya , Kantikara , Grahi , Vrushya , Ojo vardhaka , Ayu vardhaka ,Stambhana
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Aphrodisiac, Diuretic, Deflatulant, Analgesic, Antiinflammatory, Tonic, Emollient,Cardio tonic.
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
Seed contains: Ephedrine, Fatty oil, Steroids, Phytosterol, Resin, Resin acids, Mucin , Potassium nitrate.
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Bala
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
Decoction of Bala mula (Root) with Saindhava lavana (Rock salt) is very useful in Bahu Shosha (Atrophy of arms)
02
Bala taila (Oil) is used for bath, enema and for diet in case of Vatarakta.
03
In Madatyayaja trIshna (thirst caused by alcoholism) water processed with Bala should be given to drink.
04
One, who takes milk processed with two types of Bala (Bala and Atibala) in the morning, will be relieved from Asadhya Shlipada (Chronic and severe filariasis).
Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before using any herb therapeutically. Dose, anupana and Prakriti-specific suitability matter.
Yoga / Kalpana
Classical Formulations
Common Ayurvedic preparations where Bala is a key ingredient.
- Bala Taila, Kshirabala Taila, Balaguduchyadi Taila, Balarishta, Mashabaladi Taila.
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
बलाचतुष्ट्यं शीतं मधुरं बलकान्तिकृत् । स्निग्धं ग्राहि समीरास्त्रपित्तास्त्र क्षतनाशनम् ॥ (भा.प्र. गुडूच्यादिवर्ग 144) बलामूलत्वचश्रूर्णं पीतं सक्षीरशर्करम् । मूत्रतीसारं हरति दृष्टमेतन्न संशयः ॥ (भा.प्र. गुडूच्यादिवर्ग 145)