Abutilon indicum – Atibala – Ayurveda Details, Usage, Health Benefits

Atibala – Abutilon indicum is an Ayurvedic herb with aphrodisiac and body strengthening properties. It is used in the treatment of leprosy, liver disorders, ulcers, headache etc.

Vernacular names, Sanskrit synonyms

Names in different languages:
English name: Country mallow, Indian mallow
Hindi Name – kanghi, Kakahi, ,Jhili, Atibala, Tara kanchi, Itawari
Kannada name – Tutti, Gidutingi, Urki, Hettukisu, Hetutti, Shrimudri
Telugu name – Tutturu Benda, Duvvenakaya, Duvvena Kayalu
Tamil name – Perum Tutti, Paniyara Hutti,  துத்தி – thuthi, Ottututti, Kakkati, Tuttikkirai, Paniyaratutti
Bengali name – Petari, Jhapi, Potari
Marathi name – Mudra, Petari
Gujarati name – Khapat, Dabali, Kamsaki
Malayalam name – Vellula
Assamese – Japapetari, Jopa bondha
Arabian name – masthul Gola
Farsi name – Darakhtashaan

Synonyms:  Rishyaprokta, Kankatika, Balika, Rishagadha, Bhuribala.

Classical categorization

Charaka – Madhura Skanda (group of herbs with sweet taste), Balya (group of herbs that impart strength.)
The herbs Bala and Atibala are together called Baladwaya
Bala, Atibala and Nagabala are together called Balatraya
Bala, Atibala, Nagabala and Mahabala are together called as Bala Chatushka.
Kaiyadeva Nighantu – Oshadhi Varga
Sodhala Nighantu, Bhavaprakasha and Dhanvantari Nighantu – Guduchyadi Varga
Raja Nighantu – Shatahvadi Varga

Morphology

Abutilon indicum is an erect grey colored velvety undershrub which grows upto 1 – 2 meters tall. Stem, leaves and branches are covered with simple minute stellate hairs. Leaves are simple, arranged alternately, ovate, base cordate in shape, margins are toothed. Flowers are bisexual, 5 petals, yellow in color. Fruit schizocarp, ovoid to subglobular in shape, brownish black when mature, dehiscent. Seeds are numerous, reniform, dark brownish in color, covered with minutely stellate hair.

Distribution

Atibala is widely  distributed  in  the  tropical  and  subtropical  countries  of America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Varieties

In Kerala,  Urena lobata is taken as a source for Atibala but most commonly, Abutilon indicum is used as Atibala.

Major chemical constituents

Hescoses, nn-alkane mixtures, alkanols, B sitasterol, Vanilllic, p-coumaric, acceic, fumaric and amino acids, alantaolactone, iso alantolactone etc

Properties, Effect on Doshas

Rasa – Madhura (sweet taste)
Guna (qualities) – Laghu (light to digest), Snigdha (unctuous, oiliness)
Vipaka – taste conversion after digestion – Madhura (sweet)
Veerya (Potency) – Cold
Effect on Tridosha – Balances Vata and Pitta.

It balances Vata and Pitta, it is absorbent, improves strength and acts as a natural aphrodisiac.
Its medicinal qualities are quite similar to those of the plant – Bala – Sida cordifolia
Shukra Vruddhikari – Increases quality and quantity of semen
Vishamajwarahara – useful against recurrent fever.
Ojovardhaka – improves immunity
Balya  – tonic, improves strength
Kantivardhaka – improves skin texture and glow
Pittasrahara – relieves bleeding disorders
Kshatahara – useful in injuries

Dahahara – relieves burning sensation
Trushnahara – relieves excessive thirst
Vishahara – anti toxic, useful against poisons
Chardihara – anti emetic

It is used as a demulcent, laxative, diuretic, sedative, intestinal worm infestation,
It is also used to treat leprosy, ulcers, headaches, gonorrhea, liver disorders, jaundice and bladder infection.

Uses of Different parts of Atibala

The whole plant is used as folklore medicine to treat blood dysentery, fever, allergy, piles etc. It is also used as aphrodisiac, anti‐inflammatory and has immune  stimulating effect. In Siddha system of medicine atibala is used as a remedy for jaundice, piles, ulcer and leprosy.

Atibala Seeds benefits
Seeds are demulcent, laxative, expectorant and aphrodisiac; diuretic

Therapeutic indications of Seeds 
Gonorrhea
Cystitis
Tinnitus
Deafness
Earaches
Fevers
Hives
Tuberculosis
Weeping ulcers
Coughs
Fevers
Bronchitis
Dysuria
Diabetes
Dysmenorrhea
Diarrhea
Boils
Skin ulcers
Puerperal disease
Urinary disorders
Chronic dysentery

Roots Benefits

Pulmonary  sedative
Diuretic
Aphrodisiac
Anti- diabetic
Nervine tonic

Roots are indicated in –
Stranguary
Heamaturia
Leprosy

Stem Bark Benefits
Diuretic
Anthelmintic
Sedative

Indications of Stem bark
Fever
Due to its astringent quality it is used in Stranguary and urinary complaints.

Indications of Atibala fruit

Haemorrhagic septicemia
Piles
Gonorrhoea
Cough

Sanskrit Verses

Home Remedies

1. In Fever, decoction prepared from atibala seeds and roots is used.
2. Roots of Atibala, Mahabala (Sida  rhombifolia  Linn.),  Bala and Bhumibala (Sida veronicaefolia  Lam) are used to treat poisoning, diseases related to vata, pitta doshas, heart problem, eye diseases and uterine disorders.
3. Atibala leaves decoction is used to treat bronchitis,  bilious  diarrohea,  gonorrhea, bladder  inflammation,  urethritis  and  fevers.
4. In toothache and painful gums decoction of atibala leaves is used as eyewash and mouthwash. It is used as a wash in gonorrhoea,  ulcer  and inflammation of  the bladder.
5. Leaves juice mixed with decoction of onion is used as best hepatoprotective. Hence this mixture is used to treat jaundice.
6. Leaf juice mixed with jaggery is used as antidote in snakebite.
7. To treat uterus displacement, Atibala leaf powder and wheat flour is mixed together to prepare bread. This bread is consumed daily at night for 1 month.
8. Flowers of atibala are shukrala I.e it is used to increase semen in man.
9. Flower paste is applied externally to treat ulcers and boils.
10. Root infusion is used in fever, stranguary, heamaturia. It acts as cooling agent.
11. In haemorrhagic septicemia, fruit  decoction  mixed  with  ammonium  chloride  is  given  orally.

Research

Anti diabetic activity
Anti oxidant potential

Important preparations

Atibala rasayana  SS Chikitsa. 27/10  CS Chikitsa. 1/2/12
Mahanarayan Oil – A very famous Ayurvedic herbal oil for pain and rejuvenation.
Punarnavadyarishta – a traditional fermented Ayurvedic medicine
Gandha Thailam – An Oil used for faster bone healing in case of fractures and dislocations.

Side effects

There are no known side effects with this herb. Seek medical advice for its use during pregnancy.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most of the dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom – Plantae
Subkingdom – Tracheobionta
Super division – Spermatophyta
Division – Magnoliophyta
Class – Magnoliopsida
Subclass – Dilleniidae
Order – Malvales
Family – Malvaceae
Genus – Abutilon Mill.
Species – Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet