Bala (country mallow)
Sida cordifolia
Photo credit: J.M.Garg
This plant carries serious safety risks. All information is for educational reference only.
Safety information
Toxicity: Caution — sympathomimetic. Ephedrine-type alkaloids raise heart rate/blood pressure; implicated in cardiovascular events in weight-loss/ephedra supplements.
Contraindications: Hypertension, heart disease, arrhythmia, anxiety, hyperthyroidism, pregnancy — avoid; before surgery; with stimulant use.
Interactions: MAO inhibitors (dangerous), stimulants/caffeine, decongestants, sympathomimetics, beta-blockers, cardiac glycosides — additive cardiovascular risk.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid in pregnancy (sympathomimetic ephedrine alkaloids).
Evidence level
Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.
Preparations
This plant carries serious safety risks. All information is for educational reference only.
medicated oil (Bala taila) · root
Part used: root
powder · root
Part used: root
medicated milk · root
Part used: root
decoction · root
Part used: root
Traditional use: muscle/nerve strength, vata disorders, restorative
Proposed mechanism: ephedrine and pseudoephedrine plus vasicinone and sterols — sympathomimetic (CV/CNS stimulant), anti-inflammatory
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not a food source.
Healing traditions
Sources (2)
- Momin 2014, Asian Pac J Trop Biomed (PMID 24144125)
- Jimenez-Ferrer 2025, Plants (Basel) (PMID 41095255)