Talk:Atibala
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Atibala |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Abutilon indicum L. |
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Abutilon indicum L., popularly known as Atibala, is a shrub of the Malvaceae family distributed throughout India.[1] In Ayurveda, it is highly revered as a potent tonic (Balya), rejuvenative (Rasayana), and Vata-Pitta pacifying medicine.[2]
English Name
Indian mallow
Therapeutic Use
Raktapitta (bleeding disorder), Vatarakta (gout), Meha (obstinate urinary disorders)[2]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
- Atibala
- Rishyaprokta – Grows wild, so liked by sages and animals.
- Kankatika – Fruits resemble a comb.
- Balika
- Vatyapushpa – Flowers of atibala resemble flowers of bala.
- Bhuribala
Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties
According to classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics (Rasa Panchaka), Atibala has the following properties:[2]
| Sr. No. | Pharmacological Criteria | Properties (Ayurvedic Attributes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (Rasa) | Sweet (Madhura) |
| 2 | Potency (Veerya) | Cold (Sheeta) |
| 3 | Post-digestion Effect (Vipaka) | Sweet (Madhura) |
| 4 | Qualities (Guna) | Light (Laghu), Unctuous (Snigdha), Slimy (Pichhila) |
| 5 | Dosha Action (Karma) | Pacifies Vata and Pitta |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its Actions
Atibala is prominently documented across multiple therapeutic chapters of the Charaka Samhita:
| Sr. No. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity / Formulation / Therapeutic Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(7) | Balya mahakashaya (group of tonics) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/139 | Madhur skanda (group of sweet drugs) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 8/24 | Garbhini paricharya (antenatal care) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 1/2/4 | In formulation of Amalaka ghrita |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/267 | As an ingredient of Agurvadi taila |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/50 | As a yavagu (gruel) dravya |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/87 | As an ingredient of Trushanadi Ghrita |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/159 | As an ingredient of Amrutadi taila |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/56 | As an ingredient of Baladi Ghrita |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/62 | As an ingredient of Jeevaniya Ghrita |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/72 | As an ingredient of Jeevakadi mahasneha |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/76 | As an ingredient of Sthiradi Ghrita/Taila |
Dose
- Powder (Churna): 3 – 6 g daily.[2]
Important Formulations
As per A.P.I.[2]
- Bala taila
- Narayana taila
- Mahanarayana taila
Current Availability
Available
- In India: Distributed throughout India.[1]
Major Phytoconstituents
The ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Abutilon indicum have been reviewed.[1] Across the genus Abutilon, reported secondary metabolites include flavonoids, phenolic acids, sterols, triterpenes, coumarins and alkaloids.[3]
Therapeutic Efficacy & Modern Scientific Research
Reviews of the literature report antibacterial, antipyretic, antimalarial, antifertility, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic and wound healing activities of Abutilon indicum.[1] The following sections summarise the studies that support the traditional uses.
1. Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Activity
- Traditional Use: Indicated in Vatarakta (gout) and inflammatory joint discomforts.[2]
- Scientific Evidence: The analgesic effect of petroleum ether, methanol, ethanol and aqueous extracts of A. indicum root was evaluated in mice using the acetic acid-induced writhing, tail flick and tail immersion methods.[4] The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of A. indicum whole-plant extracts have also been evaluated experimentally.[5] Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities are reported across the genus Abutilon.[3]
2. Hepatoprotective Activity
- Traditional Use: Used in tissue rejuvenation and general debility.
- Scientific Evidence: Hepatoprotective activity of Abutilon indicum has been reported in experimental studies.[1]
3. Antimicrobial and Wound Healing Activity
- Traditional Use: Applied locally for skin ulcers, boils, and infections.
- Scientific Evidence: Antibacterial and wound healing activities of Abutilon indicum have been reported in the literature.[1]
4. Hypoglycemic and Antidiabetic Effects
- Traditional Use: Traditionally managed under Meha conditions.[2]
- Scientific Evidence: Alcohol and water extracts of A. indicum leaves (400 mg/kg, orally) produced a significant hypoglycemic effect in normal rats 4 hours after administration (23.10% and 26.95% respectively).[6] The aqueous extract reduced plasma glucose in diabetic rats during an oral glucose tolerance test (0.5 and 1 g/kg), by inhibiting glucose absorption and stimulating insulin secretion.[7] In cell studies, the butanol fraction bound to PPARγ and promoted adipocyte differentiation, and the crude extract activated the GLUT1 promoter.[8]
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Reported Pharmacological Action |
|---|---|
| Inflammation & Gout (Vatarakta) | Analgesic, anti-inflammatory[4][5] |
| Liver Health | Hepatoprotective[1] |
| Wound Healing & Infections | Antibacterial, wound healing[1] |
| Metabolic Support (Meha) | Hypoglycemic, antidiabetic[6][7] |
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Precautions: Antifertility activity has been reported for Abutilon indicum in the literature,[1] so use during pregnancy should be under the guidance of an Ayurvedic physician. Clinical safety data in humans are lacking.
- Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
- Root/Plant Powder (Churna): 3–6 g daily.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Kaushik, P.; Kaushik, D.; Khokra, S.; Chaudhary, B. (2009). "Abutilon indicum (Atibala): ethno-botany, phytochemistry and pharmacology – a review" (PDF). International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research. 1 (1): 4–9.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. I (Part I ed.). New Delhi: Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. 1986. p. 13.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gomaa, A. A.-R.; Samy, M. N.; et al. (2018). "Phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of genus Abutilon: a review (1972–2015)". Journal of Advanced Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 1 (2): 56–74. doi:10.21608/jabps.2018.3333.1000.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Goyal, N.; Singh, S.; Sharma, S. K. (2009). "Analgesic effects of various extracts of the root of Abutilon indicum Linn". Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences. 1 (1): 43–46. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.62686.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Saraswathi, R.; Upadhyay, L.; Venkatakrishnan, R.; Meera, R.; Devi, P. (2011). "Phytochemical investigation, analgesic and anti inflammatory activity of Abutilon indicum Linn" (PDF). International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 3 (Suppl 2): 154–156.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Seetharam, Y. N.; Chalageri, G.; Setty, S. R.; Bheemachar (2002). "Hypoglycemic activity of Abutilon indicum leaf extracts in rats". Fitoterapia. 73 (2): 156–159. PMID 11978431. doi:10.1016/S0367-326X(02)00015-1.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Krisanapun, C.; Peungvicha, P.; Temsiririrkkul, R.; Wongkrajang, Y. (2009). "Aqueous extract of Abutilon indicum Sweet inhibits glucose absorption and stimulates insulin secretion in rodents". Nutrition Research. 29 (8): 579–587. PMID 19761892. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2009.07.006.
- ↑ Krisanapun, C.; Lee, S.-H.; Peungvicha, P.; Temsiririrkkul, R.; Baek, S. J. (2011). "Antidiabetic activities of Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet are mediated by enhancement of adipocyte differentiation and activation of the GLUT1 promoter". Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011. doi:10.1093/ecam/neq004.
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