One weed. One shrub.

Two invaluable
Ayurvedic botanicals - Sida cordifolia
and Tinospora cordifolia
by James J. Gormley

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In classical Sanskrit texts, there is mention of a "small, thorny, erect bush with long
branches and little yellow flowers known as Bala," in Bengalese, according to Birgit
Heyn's Ayurveda: The Indian Art of Natural Medicine & Life Extension.
Sida cordifolia--heart-shaped plant that actually helps the heart...and more
This thorny weed, related to the marsh mallow plant, called Sida cordifolia in Latin
(with cordifolia referring to its heart-shaped leaves), is one of the most valuable
botanicals in Ayurvedic Medicine, having been used by Hindu physicians since
ancient times.
Other names for this astringent, tonic herb include: Khareti (Hind)); Country mallow;
Marubakingojikuwa (Japanese); Kedong (Chinese); Ba-la (Tibetan); Kelulut pulih
(Malaysian); and Arival (Tamil).
Used historically for its aphrodisiac effects, it is today brought to bear for spasmotic
coughs and urinary infections. For fevers, the root has been mixed with ginger.
Traditionally, the plant has been used as an astringent, an antidote for scorpion stings
and snake bites, and for: tuberculosis; chronic dysentery; rheumatism; gonorrhea;
nervous, urinary, and cardiac diseases, A.A. Leslie Gunatilaka, and colleagues suggest
in their paper that appeared in the Journal of Medicinal Plant Research (1980).
Non-human studies have pointed to this valuable weed's antibacterial, antifungal, and
antiviral properties. Test-tube studies, in fact, have shown anti-cancer activity against
nasopharyngeal (nose and pharynx) carcinoma.
The plant figures prominently in rasayana medicines, being a rejuvenating tonic herb
appropriate for a wide variety of Vata disorders. Its traditional use in Ayurvedic

Medicine as a cardiac stimulant and bronchodilator (helping to open constricted

airway passages leading to the lungs) has often been associated with helping those
suffering from asthma.
Rasayanas, or rejuvenators, also "build immunity, well-being, and vitality for the
entire system," suggest Peter Anselmo and James S. Brooks, M.D., in their 1996
book, Ayurvedic Secrets to Longevity Total Health.
Although there are about seven to eight species of "Bala," Sanskrit writers only
mention five species under the name "pancha bale": Sida acuta, S. cordifolia, Sida
racemosa, Sida rhombifolia, and Sida rhomboidea.
S. cordifolia's cardiac-function-rejuvenating effects have been attributed to the
presence of natural ephedrine (or an ephedrine-like compound) in the aerial parts of
the plant. Nevertheless, it also contains: fatty oil, phytosterol, potassium nitrate, resin,
resin acids, and alkaloids (nitrogenous organic compounds) -- the main alkaloid being
asparagin.
Tinospora cordifolia -- another excellent rejuvenator
This shrub is a real climber, one that is especially fond of latching onto neem trees,
possibly because of some similar qualities they share. Also called Guduchi, this
botanical is bitter (containing berberine and other alkalaids) and hot. Although its
traditional use points to all three doshas, it is used primarily for Pitta problems.
Its powder controls fever and serves as an aphrodisiac; the juice of the fresh plant has
been given, with honey, for diabetes; and a water-based extract from it is used for
chronic diarrhea, dysentery, headaches, blood-sugar-metabolism imbalances, and -perhaps most importantly -- as a diuretic, for liver-related disturbances, for infection,
and for inflammation. It has also shown certain blood-pressure-lowering capabilities.
As an an anti-diabetes supplement. In a landmark study by S.S. Gupta, and
colleagues, from 1967 (Indian Journal of Medical Research 55: 733-745), it was
suggested that this botanical exhibits beneficial effects on fasting-blood-sugar levels,
glucose tolerance, and adrenaline-induced hyperglycemia.
As a diuretic. In line with studying T. cordifolia's effects on urinary excretion
(output), Sunanda S. Nayampalli, et al., published a study in the Journal of
Postgraduate Medicine, in 1988.
In their clinical trial, 10 healthy male volunteers, aged 30 to 42 years, were admitted
into the clinical pharmacology ward of Bombay, India's K.E.M. Hospital. When an
extract of this plant was administered in a single dose ranging from 50 mg up to 1,250
ma, urine volume increased, while blood electrolyte levels remained stable.
As a liver-protectant/Jaundice treatment. Liver-protection is an area in which T.
cordifolia has shown some outstanding results-specifically in cases of obstructive
jaundice, a yellowing condition which occurs when the flow of liver-produced
digestive bile is blocked from reaching the duodenum, part of the small intestines.

We can point to two studies on T. cordifolia and obstructive jaundice that have been
carried out by N.N. Rege, and colleagues, one from 1989 and the other from 1993.
In the first study (from 1989), all 16 patients with obstructive jaundice also had
significantly lowered immune function, particularly that shown by lowered levels of
polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells.
"As surgery is not always possible," the authors note, "especially in high-risk patients,
an alternate approach slirected at" boosting the immune system seems to be the ticket.
The researchers found that "the plant not only restored the immunocompetence [state
of proper immune function]" of these patients, but also "even augmented the killing
activity of PMN."
In the second study (from 1993), N.N. Rege looked at 30 patients with malignant
obstructive jaundice, who were divided into two groups. Group I received
conventional treatment in conjunction with surgical drainage, which involved
synthetic antibiotics, etc., while Group II received T. cordifolia along with the
drainage procedure. The researchers then took a look at liver and immune function.
Further comparisons in the study
While liver function remained comparable in the two groups after the procedure,
immune function (specifically the phagocytic [engulfing] and killing capabilities of
neutrophils) and infection were markedly different in both groups.
Septicemia, also called blood poisoning, was noted in 50 percent of the patients in
Group I and in none of the T. cordifolia-treated patients. Also, post-operative survival
rates were very different. While 40 percent of the patients in Group I survived, 92.4
percent of the 71 cordifolia-treated patients survived.
These results speak for themselves. Not bad for a creeper and a climber.
REFERENCES
Anselmo, Peter, and Brooks, James S., M.D. Ayurvedic Secrets to Longevity and
Total Health. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 1996.
Chosal, S., et al. "Alkaloids of Sida cordifolia," Phytochemistry 14:830-832, 1975.
Gunatilaka, A.A. Leslie, et aL "Studies on Medicinal Plants of Sri Lanka. ill.
Pharmacolofically Important Alkaloids of Some Sida Species," Journal of Medicinal
Plant Research 39:66-72, 1980.
Heyn, Birgit. Ayurveda: The Indian Art of Natural Medicine & Life Extension.
Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press, 1990.
Nayampalli, Sunanda S., et al. "A Comparative Study of Diuretic effects of
Tinospirora cordifolia and Hydrochlororothiazide," Journal of Postgraduate Medicine
34(4): 233-236, 1988.

Rege, N.N., et aL "Modulation of Immunosuppression in Obstructive Jaundice by

Tinospora cordifolia," Indian Journal of Medical Research 90: 478-483, 1989.
Rege, N.N., et aL "Immunotherapy With Tinospora cordifolia: A New Lead in the
Management of Obstructive Jaundice," Indian Journal of Gastroenterology 12(1): 5-8,
1993.
Rhyner, Hans H. Ayurveda: The Gentle Health System. New York: Sterling
Publishing, 1994.
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