Mahabala
Sida rhombifolia L.
Mahabala (Sida rhombifolia L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Malvaceae family. Not listed in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia as Mahabala (great strength); some species of Sida subject to regulatory scrutiny due to ephedrine alkaloid content.
| Botanical name | Sida rhombifolia L. |
|---|---|
| Family | Malvaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Malvales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Not listed in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia as Mahabala (great strength); some species of Sida subject to regulatory scrutiny due to ephedrine alkaloid content |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 5406735 · Wikidata Q3595921 · NCBI Taxonomy 108377 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Mahabala |
| Latin/Botanical | Sida rhombifolia L. |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine (alkaloids)
- Cryptolepine
- Ecdysteroids (including 20-hydroxyecdysone)
- Flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin derivatives)
- Phenolic compounds
- Beta-sitosterol
- Mucilage
- Saponins
- Fatty acids (linoleic, palmitic)
How does it work?
- Anti-inflammatory mechanism through inhibition of COX-2 and prostaglandin synthesis, with ecdysteroids contributing to tissue repair and regeneration
- Analgesic action through both central and peripheral pain pathway modulation, with alkaloid fraction (ephedrine-related compounds) contributing to bronchodilatory effects
- Antimalarial mechanism involving disruption of Plasmodium parasite erythrocytic stages, with cryptolepine showing potent antiplasmodial activity
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties validated through multiple in vivo models, confirming traditional use in Vataroga (joint and muscular conditions)
- Antimicrobial activity confirmed against bacteria and fungi, supporting traditional use in wound healing and infectious conditions
- Antimalaria activity validated against Plasmodium species, confirming ethnomedicinal use in fever and malaria treatment
What do recent clinical trials show?
- Jiménez-Ferrer E, Herrera-Ruiz M, Campos-Vidal Y and others 2025. Sida L.: Ethnobotany, Pharmacology, and Phytochemistry: A Review. Plants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 41095255 · doi:10.3390/plants14193115
Comprehensive genus-level review identifying approximately 142 chemical constituents across Sida species, with alkaloids, flavonoids, and ecdysteroids as predominant bioactive groups. - Aniyan KY, Ganesan A, Krithika CL and others 2025. Sida Rhombifolia linn: an empirical analysis on phytochemicals and an in vitro outcome on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant perspective. Scientific reports. PMID 41315559 · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-26447-6
Fresh 2024-collected plant samples demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in vitro, with detailed phytochemical fingerprinting. - Cristina da Costa Araldi I, Piber de Souza T, de Souza Vencato M and others 2021. Preclinical safety assessment of the crude extract from Sida rhombifolia L. aerial parts in experimental models of acute and repeated-dose 28 days toxicity in rats. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP. PMID 34139276 · doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.104974
28-day repeated dose toxicity study established safety parameters for aerial part crude extract in rat models, providing preclinical safety benchmarks.
Recent safety updates
- Contains ephedrine-type alkaloids; prolonged use or high doses may cause cardiovascular stimulation (increased heart rate, blood pressure); should be used cautiously in patients with hypertension or cardiac conditions
- 28-day toxicity study showed safety at moderate doses in rats; however, regulatory concerns exist in some countries regarding ephedrine-containing plants
What is it made of?
Key Active Markers
- Pseudoephedrine
- Alkaloids
- Flavonoids
- Kaempferol
- Quercetin
- Sitosterol
- Mucilage
- Saponins
Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Taila (medicated oil), Capsules, Tablets, Ghrita (medicated ghee), Basti preparations (enema)
Standard Dosage: 3-6 g root powder per day; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; Taila for external application as directed; 500-1000 mg extract capsules twice daily
Bioavailability: Moderate oral bioavailability. Ephedrine-type alkaloids (in some Sida species) show good absorption with 85-95% oral bioavailability. Ecdysteroids show limited but consistent absorption (10-15%). Mucilaginous polysaccharides are not absorbed but exert prebiotic effects. Oil-based preparations (Taila, Ghrita) significantly enhance absorption of lipophilic terpenoids.
Optimal Timing: Morning for tonic and strength-building effects; before meals with warm water or milk; Taila application morning and evening with gentle massage; Basti as per Panchakarma schedule
Standardized Extract: Root extract (8:1 hydroalcoholic) standardized to minimum 0.5% total alkaloids and 0.3% ecdysterone. Mahabala Taila prepared per AFI guidelines. Mucilage-free extract for capsule filling.
Shelf Life: 24 months for root powder; 30 months for tablets/capsules; 36 months for Taila; 24 months for Ghrita preparations
Storage: Root powder in airtight containers below 25 deg C. Taila in amber glass bottles, protected from light, at room temperature. Ghrita in clean, dry glass or stainless steel containers. All forms protected from moisture.
Marker Compounds: Ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone), Cryptolepine, Quindoline, Quindimine, Beta-sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Mucilage polysaccharides, Ephedrine (trace, species-dependent)
Extraction Methods
- Aqueous decoction (traditional)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60-70% ethanol)
- Oil extraction (Taila Paka method)
- Cold maceration for mucilage
- Alkaloid extraction with acidified water
- Ghrita Paka (ghee-based extraction)
Synergistic Combinations
- Bala (complementary strength-building)
- Ashwagandha (adaptogenic and musculoskeletal synergy)
- Rasna (anti-inflammatory for joint conditions)
- Dashamula (anti-Vata polyherbal combination)
- Eranda Taila (joint lubrication and anti-inflammatory)
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.
Randomised controlled trials1
- 2024. Dietary supplementation of Sida rhombifolia enhances the plasma antioxidation and modulates gut microbiota in Anyi tile-like grey chickensJournal of animal physiology and animal nutrition. PMID 38943520 · doi:10.1111/jpn.14013
Other clinical studies and reviews1
- 2025. Sida L.: Ethnobotany, Pharmacology, and Phytochemistry: A ReviewPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 41095255 · doi:10.3390/plants14193115
Laboratory and animal studies10
- 2026. LC-HRMS- and TLC-based metabolomics for the identification and authentication of Sida rhombifoliaJournal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences. PMID 41187659 · doi:10.1016/j.jchromb.2025.124834
- 2025. Sida Rhombifolia linn: an empirical analysis on phytochemicals and an in vitro outcome on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant perspectiveScientific reports. PMID 41315559 · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-26447-6
- 2025. FTIR- and LC-HRMS-Metabolomics Analysis, Total Phenolics, and Antioxidant Activity of Sida rhombifolia From Different Growth LocationsChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 40644693 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202500548
- 2023. Evaluation of Sida cordifolia and Sida rhombifolia extracts in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathyPolimery w medycynie. PMID 36975210 · doi:10.17219/pim/156847
- 2023. UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HR-MS-Based Metabolomics for Profiling the Sida rhombifolia Metabolites with Different Plant Organs and Cultivation AgesChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 37276379 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202201042
- 2022. Chemical Composition and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Sida rhombifolia L. Volatile Organic CompoundsMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36296660 · doi:10.3390/molecules27207067
- 2022. Sida rhombifolia Exerts Anti-Proliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Effects in Human Liver Cancer HepG2 Cells in VitroAsian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP. PMID 36444580 · doi:10.31557/APJCP.2022.23.11.3677
- 2022. Chemical constituents of two Cameroonian medicinal plants: Sida rhombifolia L. and Sida acuta Burm. f. (Malvaceae) and their antiplasmodial activityNatural product research. PMID 34121522 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2021.1937156
- 2022. Quality by design-based optimization of Soxhlet extraction and identification of ephedrine by a HPTLC method for Sida rhombifolia and Sida CordifoliaBiomedical chromatography : BMC. PMID 35961325 · doi:10.1002/bmc.5479
- 2021. Preclinical safety assessment of the crude extract from Sida rhombifolia L. aerial parts in experimental models of acute and repeated-dose 28 days toxicity in ratsRegulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP. PMID 34139276 · doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.104974
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