Bala: One among the multi-potent master herbs

     Bala is one most potent herbs found on Earth. It is commonly known as country mallow and is found all over India. The name Bala elf means that the herb provides strength. The best Ayurveda Doctor in Europe Dr.Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Bala in treating conditions involving mis-balance of Vata dosha like Gout, Rheumatoid arthritis etc. as the plant is an excellent Vata and Pitta dosha alleviating in nature. Bala is also used as an Aphrodisiac and Analgesic. The plant contains Phyto-constituents like ephedrine, phytosterols etc. which aids in the aforementioned actions.

General aspects and geography

Botanical name : Sida cordifolia     

Family :  Malvaceae 

Habitat: Through out India 

Parts used

• Roots

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Balya varga (Promotes strength )

Susruta Samhita – Not mentioned 

Pharmacological action

• Analgesic 
• Aphrodisiac 
• Tonic
• Diuretic 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Balya ( strength providing )
• Grahi (constipative)
• Brahmana (Provides nourishment )

Therapeutic indications

• Filariasis (Slipada)-  Milk processed with Bala is taken internally at morning time on daily basis to alleviate Filariasis.
• Gout (Vataraktha)- Oil prepared from Bala is used for Bathing, enema and also for internal use to alleviate Gout.

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 3 g

Decoction (Kwatha)- 90 ml

Liquid extract (Swarasa)- 10-20 ml

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations 

• Bala taila 
• Balarishta
• Baladya ghrtha 
• Ksirabala taila
• Balaguloochyadi Kashayam

Morphology :

A wild undershrub. Stems are herbaceous aerial and erect. Leaves are cauline. Inflorescence is axillary or terminal cymes. Flowers are yellow colored.

Vernacular names 

English – Country mallow

Hindi- Bariyar

Malayalam – Kurunthotti

Sanskrit – Bala 

Synonyms 

• Baladya
• Seetapaki
• Vinaya 

Rasapanchaka of Bala

Rasa- Madhura (Sweet)

Guna-  Guru (Heavy)

Vipaka- Madhura (Sweet)

Virya-  Sita (cold)

बलाचतुष्ट्यं शीतं मधुरं बलकान्तिकृत् । । 

स्निग्धं ग्राहि समीरास्त्रपित्तास्त्र क्षतनाशनम् ।।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Guducyadi varga-shloka 144)

   Bala alleviates Vata Pitta doshas because of it’s properties like Sweet taste and Cold potency. The oil prepared from the plant can be used to treat joint disorders. Ayurvedatarian lead by The best Ayurveda Doctor in India Dr.Varun Ram Raj, is currently conducting various researches based on ancient Ayurvedic textbooks, involving Bala for preparing various combinations of medicines to alleviate conditions involving vitiation of Pitta and Vata doshas. Reach Ayurvedatarian for real Ayurveda.

Researches on Bala

• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259632876_Anatomical_studies_on_Bala_-_An_Ayurvedic_drug_and_its_varieties
• https://ijapr.in/index.php/ijapr/article/view/40

Frequently asked Questions

1)What are the uses of Bala tailam ?

   Oil prepared from Bala is used to treat diseases caused by the vitiation of Vata dosha.

2)What is the scientific name of Bala?

Botanical name of Bala is Sida cordifolia