Sida cordifolia Linn.

Family Malvaceae

Habitat Throughout India in moist places.

English Country Mallow.

Ayurvedic Balaa (yellow-flowered var.), Sumanganaa, Kharayashtikaa, Balini, Bhadrabalaa, Bhadraudani, Vaatyaalikaa.

Unani Bariyaara, Khirhati, Khireti, Kunayi.

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 themajor alkaloids in the aerial parts.

The total alkaloid content is report ed 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 nitrate.

The root contains alkaloids—ephedrine, 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.