Witnessed by: Ayurveda
Arrowleaf sida (Sida rhombifolia), of the Malvaceae family. Wiry erect undershrub with rhombic toothed leaves and small yellow flowers; native range: pantropical, abundant as a roadside weed across India. Globally recognized as mahabala · bhumibala in Sanskrit, kharenti · bariara in Hindi, and arrowleaf sida · Cuban jute · common wireweed in English. The part used is root, whole plant. Tough fibrous stems and a bland, sweetish, slippery root.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
ARROWLEAF SIDA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- arrowleaf sida
- Scientific name
- Sida rhombifolia L.
- Family
- Malvaceae
Form
- Part used
- root, whole plant
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Ayurveda
- sweet (madhura)
Temperature
- Ayurveda
- cooling (sheeta)
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Ayurveda
- balya (strengthening), brimhana (nourishing), vatahara, vrishya (aphrodisiac), vedanasthapana (relieves pain)
Cautions
- Contraindications
- the heavy sweet root used sparingly in high kapha, obesity and sluggish digestion
- Toxicity
- regarded as safe; the aerial parts contain ephedrine-like alkaloids and are avoided in large doses
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