Pharmacological Potential of Atibala of Ayurveda : A Review

Indigenous drugs used by different ethnic groups of the world for the treatment of diseases have special significance of having been tested on long time scale. They are relatively safe, easily available and affordable to masses of community. Traditional drugs have given the important lead in the search of new drugs. Balas in ayurvedic literature are used as Balya, or tonic for strengthening the body. Bala, Brela, Atibala, Mahabala and Nagbala belong to the genus Sida of family Malvaceae is in use for medicinal purposes for a long time, in traditional system of medicine, i.e, the ayurveda. Sida cordata (Burm.f.) Borssum is Rajbala or Bhumibala; Kharenti Bala is Sida cordifolia Linn.; and Sida rhombifolia Linn. is Mahabala. The other Bala is Atibala, which is botanically known as Abutilon indicum. Literally meaning, the Ati means very and Bala means powerful, referring to the properties of this plant as very powerful.