Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Atibala

Abutilon indicum

Atibala (Abutilon indicum) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Abutilon indicum (Atibala) contains mucilage (which provides sustained-release matrix), beta-sitosterol (5-10% absorbed), and flavonoids. Asparagine (an amino acid present abundantly) has near-complete oral bioavailability.

Key facts
Botanical nameAbutilon indicum
FamilyMalvaceae · other entries in this family
OrderMalvales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3152634 · Wikidata Q2901598 · NCBI Taxonomy 318060

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishAtibala

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)MadhuraPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)Guru, SnigdhaPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)SheetaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)MadhuraPost-digestive effect

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (root/whole plant powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Taila (medicated oil — Atibala Taila), Swarasa (fresh juice), Ghrita (medicated ghee)

Standard Dosage: 3-6g powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; 500mg-1g extract capsule; 10-20ml fresh juice; Taila for external Abhyanga

Bioavailability: Moderate oral bioavailability. Abutilon indicum (Atibala) contains mucilage (which provides sustained-release matrix), beta-sitosterol (5-10% absorbed), and flavonoids. Asparagine (an amino acid present abundantly) has near-complete oral bioavailability. Mucilage creates gel matrix that slows but prolongs drug release — natural sustained-release mechanism. Oil-based preparations (Taila, Ghrita) enhance lipophilic constituent absorption.

Optimal Timing: With warm milk at bedtime for Rasayana and strength-building. Before meals with warm water for urinary and digestive indications. Taila for external Abhyanga (oil massage) — morning preferred.

Standardized Extract: Root extract (10:1) standardized to minimum 2% beta-sitosterol and minimum 5% total flavonoids. Mucilage content minimum 15% in whole plant material.

Shelf Life: 2 years (powder); 3 years (capsules/tablets); 3 years (Taila); 2 years (Ghrita)

Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C. Mucilaginous powders are hygroscopic — use desiccant in packaging. Oil preparations in amber glass.

Marker Compounds: Beta-sitosterol, Asparagine, Gallic acid, Caffeic acid, p-Coumaric acid, Quercetin, Luteolin glycosides, Mucilage polysaccharides

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction (traditional Kashaya)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40)
  • Fresh juice expression
  • Sesame oil infusion (Taila Paka vidhi) for external preparation
  • Ghee processing for Ghrita preparation

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Bala (Sida cordifolia) for Balya (strength-promoting) action — classical pair
  • With Ashwagandha for adaptogenic and strengthening effects
  • With Gokshura for urinary tract support
  • With Yashtimadhu for ulcers and gastric mucosal protection

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews1

  1. Yasmin S, Kashmiri MA, Asghar MN and others. 2010. Antioxidant potential and radical scavenging effects of various extracts from Abutilon indicum and Abutilon muticumPharmaceutical biology. PMID 20645814 · doi:10.3109/13880200903110769

Laboratory and animal studies11

  1. Islam R, Deb A, Ghosh AJ and others. 2024. Toxicological profiling of methanolic seed extract of Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet: in-vitro and in-vivo analysisJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 39097211 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2024.118655
  2. Sunil M, Vedavijaya T, Sree P K and others. 2023. Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Evaluation of the Ethanolic Extract of the Leaves of Abutilon indicumCureus. PMID 38021797 · doi:10.7759/cureus.47703
  3. Sureshan SC, Mohideen HS, Ramya M. 2022. Differential expression profiling of Oxycarenus laetus Kirby (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) upon exposure to gossypolMolecular biology reports. PMID 35290558 · doi:10.1007/s11033-022-07322-3
  4. Zhou X, Hassan W, Bakht S and others. 2021. Abutilon indicum Exhibits Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects in Mice ModelsDoklady. Biochemistry and biophysics. PMID 34697741 · doi:10.1134/S1607672921050203
  5. Bolleddu R, Venkatesh S, Narasimhaji CV and others. 2021. Pharmacognostical and phytochemical studies of Atibala (Abutilon indicum [Linn.] sweet) fruitAyu. PMID 37303858 · doi:10.4103/ayu.AYU_264_20
  6. Khan SA, Shahid S, Ayaz A and others. 2021. Phytomolecules-Coated NiO Nanoparticles Synthesis Using Abutilon indicum Leaf Extract: Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Anticancer ActivitiesInternational journal of nanomedicine. PMID 33688190 · doi:10.2147/IJN.S294012
  7. Khan SA, Shahid S, Shahid B and others. 2020. Green Synthesis of MnO Nanoparticles Using Abutilon indicum Leaf Extract for Biological, Photocatalytic, and Adsorption ActivitiesBiomolecules. PMID 32438654 · doi:10.3390/biom10050785
  8. Sharma S, Sahu AN. 2016. Development, Characterization, and Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Effect of Abutilon indicum and Piper longum PhytosomesPharmacognosy research. PMID 26941533 · doi:10.4103/0974-8490.171102
  9. Mata R, Nakkala JR, Sadras SR. 2015. Biogenic silver nanoparticles from Abutilon indicum: their antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic effects in vitroColloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces. PMID 25701118 · doi:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2015.01.052
  10. Varun M, Jaggi D, D'Souza R and others. 2015. Abutilon indicum L.: a prospective weed for phytoremediationEnvironmental monitoring and assessment. PMID 26215827 · doi:10.1007/s10661-015-4748-3
  11. Kuo PC, Yang ML, Wu PL and others. 2008. Chemical constituents from Abutilon indicumJournal of Asian natural products research. PMID 18636384 · doi:10.1080/10286020802016545

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