Bala Dwaya – Sida cordifolia Linn & Abutilon indicum Sw.

Historical background of Bala

In the Vedic literature ‘Bala’ is described as Rasayana, Visaghna, Balya, and Pramehaghna (Pai. Sam. 19/ 39/ 1- 13; Atha. Pa. 5/ 1/ 14). Majumdar thinks that Arundhati or Sahadevi may be Bala in the Vedic literature (Sou. Atha. Sam. 6/ 59/ 1- 3; 8/ 7/ 6). Charaka described Bala under Madhura Skandha. Sushruta also quoted Bala and Atibala among Madhura Dravyas. It is extensively used in Ayurvedic therapeutics both internally and externally. The root of the herb is known as a good tonic and immunomodulator.

Historical background of Atibala

Atibala is quoted in the Atharva Parishishta (5/ 1/ 4- 5 & 5/1/1-3) along with Bala and other drugs for rituals. Charaka described it among the Balya group of drugs whereas Chakrapani considered it as Pitabala (yellow variety). Atibala is extensively quoted in the Nighantu Granthas in the context of Bala Chatushtaya (four varieties of Bala). Susruta quoted Atibala among Madhura Dravyas while Charaka did not describe it under Madhura Skandha.

Controversy regarding Bala

Sushruta mentioned Bala and Atibala under Madhura Varga while quoting Sahadeva and Visvadeva under Kakolyadi Gana. But Charaka described the above herbs along with other herbs like Sheetapaki, and Odanapaka under the Madhura Skandha. Bhava Prakasha documented Maha Bala as the synonym of Sahadeva. Annapaki, Sheetapaki, Odanapaki, etc, are considered synonyms of Saireyaka also. Charaka identified Odanapaki with Nilajhinti (Saireyaka Variety) while Bopadeva mentioned it as the synonym of Shveta Gunja. Bhadroudani may be a variety of Bala (Nagabala) i.e. Pita Bala according to Thakurji. Vatyayani in C. S. Su. 4/ 2 is considered to be a white variety of Bala (Side spinosa Linn.) while Vatyapuspi in C. S. Su. 4/ 49 & C. S. Sa. 8/ 29 is a yellow variety. There are more than one species of Sida being used as Bala. They are S. acuta Burm, S. rhombifolia Linn, S. spinosa Linn., S. retusa, etc. S. spinosa may be known as Shveta Bala.

Controversy regarding Atibala

Another species is Abutilon theophrasti Medik. (A. avicennae Gaertn). is also used by some as Atibala because of their similarity in appearance.

External morphology of Sida cordifolia

• Habit- Bala is a wild undershrub.
• Stem- The stem of Bala is Herbaceous, erect, branched, cylindrical, solid, and green.
• Leaf- Cauline and Ramal, alternate, stipulate, cordate, serrate, acute, pubescent, unicostate reticulate veined.
• Inflorescence- solitary, axillary or terminal, and few-flowered cymes.
• Flower- Bracteate, pedicellate, complete, actinomorphic, bisexual pentamerous, hypogynous, yellow-colored, 5 sepals, gamosepalous, petals are 5, polypetalous, twisted, yellow. stamens are indefinite, Monadelphous, gynoecium multi- capillary, syncarpous, and multilocular due to false sepia.
• Fruit- Schizocarp, 6-8 mm in diameter.
• Flowering and fruiting time: Throughout the year in general between September to January in particular.

External morphology of Abutilon indicum

• Habit: Erect annual herb, profusely branched perennial shrub, 1-3 m high. Root: The root of Atibala is up to 30 cm long and 0.5- 2 cm thick with many secondary roots.
• Stems: Stems of Atibala are young, softly tomentose.
• Leaves: Leaves of Atibala are simple, alternate, lamina broadly ovate, cordate, 6- 10 x 4- 8 cm, sometimes 3-5 angled, margins toothed, grayish beneath, stipules deflexed, linear, petiole 4-8 cm long. 
• Inflorescence: Atibala inflorescence is axillary, solitary, 2.5- 5 cm long pedicellate flowers, pedicles jointed at the top, calyx 0.8- 1.2 cm long, divided to the middle, into 5 ovate, apiculate lobes, corolla of 5 petals, 2- 2.5 cm across, yellow – orange-yellow with purplish nerves in the center, stamens many on a staminal tube.
• Fruit: Fruit of Atibala is truncate schizocarp with 10-25 carpels longer than the calyx, carpels green and densely stellate hairy at first, turning to black and glabrescent at length, rounded on the back, mucronate, dehiscing and separating from the central axis. 
• Seeds: 2-3 per carpel, 2-3 mm long, ovoid – sub orbicular, dark brown with minute, scattered, stellate masses on the surface.
• Flowering and fruiting time: Throughout the year. November to March in particular.

Note: Sida acuta and Sida spinosa is also used under the name of Bala whose details are presented below:

External morphology of Sida acuta

• Habit: Erect, annual, biennial herb, under the shrub, 30 cm- 1.5 m high, generally much-branched along the main stem, less hairy. 
• Leaves: Leaves slimy on chewing, simple, alternate, ovate-lanceolate, inequilateral, lower ones somewhat rhomboid in outline, 1.5- 8.5 x 0.5- 3 cm with toothed margins and acute apex. Petiole 0.5- 1 cm long. Stipules are linear 0.7-1 cm long, leafy with a broad base. 
• Inflorescence: Inflorescence of S. acuta is an axillary, solitary flower, or a few together. 
• Flowers: Flowers are 1- 1.5 cm across; calyx 0.6- 0.8 cm long, green with 5 triangular, glabrous lobes and ciliate margins, corolla of 5 yellow – orange-yellow, emarginate petals, pedicel 0.4- 1 cm long, jointed about the middle, stamens many, ovary 6 celled.
• Fruit: Fruits of 6 carpels, 0.3- 0.4 cm long with 0.1 – 0.15 cm long, almost glabrous awns.
• Seeds: Seeds are one per carpel, dark brown, 0.2 x 0.15 cm, trigonous and smooth.
• Flowering & Fruiting time – More or less throughout the year in general. October-January.

External morphology of Sida spinosa

• Habit: Erect or sub-erect, annual herb, undershrub 30-60 cm high generally with profuse branching. 
• Leaves: Leaves are alternate, simple, petiole 1- 2.5 cm long supported by 2 short spines, lamina 1.5- 4x 1- 2 cm, ovate-elliptic-oblong, with serrate margins. Flowers: Flowers are pale yellow, solitary, or in clusters, pedicel 0.5- 1.5 cm long, jointed just below the stellate hairy calyx, corolla 0.6- 0.8 cm across.
• Fruit: Fruit is a sub-globose schizocarp of 3- 6 carpels, each about 0.4 cm long with a black-brownish, smooth seed.
• Flowering & Fruiting time – October-February.