Medicinal Plants : Sida cordifolia

Name

Country mallow

Biological Name

Sida cordifolia, Sida herbacea, Sida althaeitolia, Sida rotundifolia

Other Names

Country Mallow, Bala, Bariar, Batyalaka, Beejband, Bijband, Brela, Chikana, Chiribenda, Chitimutti, Hettuti-gida, Janglimethi, Kharenti, Khareti, Kisangi, Kungyi, Mayir-manikham, Muttuva, Paniyar-tutti, Simak, Tupkaria, Tutturabenda, Velluram

Parts Used

Roots, leaves, seeds and stems

Active Compounds

alkaloids: The whole plant (including leaves, seeds.. stems and roots) contains about 0.085%. The seeds contain 0.32% of alkaloid. The seeds contain more alkaloids that that is found in either the stems, roots or leaves.

fatty oil

phytosterol

mucins

potassium nitrate

resins

resin acids

no tannin or glucoside is found.

The main portion of the alkaloid identified to be ephedrine, an alkaloid that is observed in the different varieties of Ephedra.

Remedies For

Analgesic, aphrodisiac, demulcent, diuretic, nervine, rejuvenative, stimulant, tonic, vulnerary

Roots of these species are: aromatic, astringent, bitter, cooling, demulcent, diuretic, febrifuge, stomachic, and tonic.

Indian scientists in 1930 reported the presence of a sympathomimetic alkaloid in this herb whose pharmacological action closely resembled that of ephedrine and they thought that the alkaloid was undoubtedly ephedrine. Later work has shown that the sympathomimetic alkaloid had showed all the chemical and physical characteristics of ephedrine. This explains the widespread use of this herb in Ayurveda as a cardiac stimulant. The seeds are considered to be aphrodisiac. Scientists have also reported that the pharmacological action of this herb caused marked and persistent rise of blood pressure in anaesthetised or decerebrated animals.

Useful For:

acial paralysis
arthritis
asthma
bronchitis
cancer, for strengthening before and after chemotherapy
chronic inflammation, for healing tissues of
convalescence
cystitis
dysentery
emaciation
exhaustion
fevers
heart disease
insanity
joint diseases
leukorrhea
muscle cramps
nerve pain
neuralgia and nerve inflammation
numbness
rheumatism, chronic
sciatica
sexual debility
skin disorders
stimulant, as a
tumors
ulcers
wounds

Description

Grows wild along roadsides throughout the tropical and sub-tropical plains of India and Sri Lanka. An Ayurvedic herb.

Dosage

Decoction, powder, medicated oil.
For serious illness like cancer, use one or more ounces daily.

Application

Roots

Roots are given in infusion for nervous and urinary diseases, disorders of the blood and bile, bleeding piles, gonorrhea, cystitis, leuccorrhoea, chronic dysentery, nervous diseases such as insanity, facial paralysis, and asthma. It is also used as a cardiac tonic. Dose is from 1/2 to 2 drachms.

Mashabaladi Kvatha is an Ayurvedic remedy that contains Sida cordifolia. It is used for hemiplegia, stiff-neck, facial paralysis and noise in the ears with headache.

Another Ayurvedic herbal oil that contains Sida cordifolio is Balataila (Bala Taila, Bala Thailam). It is used for nervous diseases, facial paralysis, and sciatica. It is very efficacious in curing those diseases when they are due to inflammation of the nerves. It is also used as a cardiac tonic.

Root juice is used to promote the healing of wounds. In combination with other herbs it is also used for increasing sexual power.

For intermittent fever attended with cold shivering fits:
Use a decoction of the Sida cordifolia root and ginger.

For elephantiasis
Pound the root of Sida cordifolia into a paste. Mix it with the juice of pahuyrah tree. Apply externally.

For the relief of leucorrhoea
Take powdered root-bark of Sida cordifolia mixed well with milk and sugar.

Dhanwantri Tailam (21 and 101 times boiled) is an Ayurvedic herbal oil that contains S. cordifolia and 47 other substances prepared in milk. It is recommended for all disorders produced by the derangement of vata dosha, emaciation, weakness, diseases of generative organs, paralysis and rheumatism. This oil was clinically proven to be effective for neuralgia. Recommended dose of the oil is quarter tola taken in cumin-seed decoction.

Prabhanjana Vimardhana is a compound liniment made up of S. cordifolia and the five bigger roots of dashamula. It is used for external application in sciatica and neuritis of legs attended with pain.

Leaves

Leaves of this herb are mucilaginous and used as a demulcent and with other cooling leaves are applied in ophthalmia. Leaves mixed with rice are given to alleviate the bloody flux.

In infusion they are prescribed in fevers as a cooling medicine and to check bloody fluxes. When fresh, they are bruised and applied to boils to promote suppuration. Leaves are cooked and eaten in cases of bleeding piles.

Seeds

Seeds are used in gonorrhoea, cystitis, piles, colic and tenesmus. Boiled milk whisked with fibrinous twigs coagulates. The fluid is decanted and is given internally for piles.

Whole Herb

Juice of the whole plant pounded with a little water is given for spermatorrhoea, rheumatism and gonorrhea. Dose: 1/4 seer.

Roots, leaves and seeds are all used in Ayurveda as a stomachic and as a cardiac tonic.

Safety

Caution: Do not take in excess if congested.

This herb contain ephedrine, an ingredient found in ephedra. Although no reported safety risk exists for this herb, ephedra has been found to be dangerous and can cause death if not used properly. Please read the information in holisticonline.com about the risks of ephedra.

No other information available. Do not take this herb without the supervision of a qualified professional.