Bala
Common Name:
Country mallow (Eng.)
Sanskrit Name:
Bala- Means "strength" or "power" i.e. the herb that pacifies the destructive aggravated Vata and increases the strength of the body
Vatyalika
Kharayashtika
Lt. Name:
Sida cordifolia- Malvaceae
Bio energetics:
Rasa (Taste)- Madhura (Sweet)
Guna (Characteristics)- Laghu (Light); Snigdha (Unctuous); Pichchhila (Slimy)
Veerya (Potency)- Sheeta (Cool and calm)
Vipaka (Post digestion effect)- Madhura (Sweet)
Effect on Tridosha (Three bio humors):
Pacifies Vata and Pitta i.e. it is useful in management of all diseases originating from aggravated Vata/ Pitta or both. It is especially useful in management of nervous system disorders which are considered to be of Vata origin.
Chemical constitution:
Constituents include ephedrine (1%), phytosterols and potassium nitrate.
Actions according to Ayurveda:
Balya- Increases strength of the body
Bruhamniya- Increases bulk of body
Praja sthapana- Great role as quality enhancer of sperm and ovum so that a good progeny is there
Kanti krit- Improves complexion and looks of the face
Grahi- Improves digestion and assimilation so that the person passes stool with normal consistency
Vrushya- Increases sexual desire
Medicinal value:
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Research has demonstrated that Sida cordfolia can increase pain tolerance (Kanth and Diwan, 1999; Franzotti et al., 2000). When rats were exposed to heat, rats that consumed Sida cordifolia had a greater heat tolerance (Franzotti et al., 2000). It also appears to have anti-inflammatory properties (Kanth and Diwan, 1999; Franzotti et al., 2000) and may be effective as an antioxidant (Auddy et al., 2003).
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Sida cordifolia extract contains L-Ephedrine, is a natural amphetamine that gives stimulation of the central nervous system (CNS), similar to speed but to a lesser extent. It also excites the peripheral nervous system far greater than that associated with Speed.
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Sida cordifolia is a plant that contains 0.8% to 1.2% of the alkaloid ephedrine. The whole plant contains much large quantities of alkaloids and hence has been used as a rejuvenating herb, an aphrodisiac, a wonderful and efficacious in curing those diseases when they are due to inflammation of the nerves.
Useful part:
Roots; seeds
Doses:
Powder- 3-6 gm; Juice- 10-20 ml
Some important combinations with Bala:
Chandana bala lakshadi tail; Baladi kwatha; Baladi ghruta; Baladyarishta
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