Atibalaa (Abutilon indicum) अतिबला

Atibalaa (Abutilon indicum): Health Benifits

Abutilon indicum (Indian Abutilon, Indian Mallow; is a small shrub and this plant is often used as a medicinal plant.

English Names – Country Mallow, Flowering Maples, Chinese Bell-flowers.

Ayurvedic Names - Atibalaa, Kankatikaa, Rishyaproktaa.

Other Common Names - Kanghi, Musht-ul-Ghaul, Darkht-e-Shaan, Thutthi, Kanghi, Kakahi, Kakahiyaa.

Mediational Properties of Atibalaa (Abutilon indicum)

In traditional medicine, Atibalaa various parts of the plant are used as a demulcent, aphrodisiac, laxative, diuretic, sedative, astringent, expectorant, tonic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, and analgesic and to treat leprosy, ulcers, headaches, gonorrhea, and bladder infection. The whole plant is uprooted, dried and is powdered. In ancient days, maidens were made to consume a spoonful of this powder with a spoonful of honey, once in a day, for 6 months until the day of marriage, for safe and quick pregnancy.

The plant is very much used in Siddha medicines. The root, bark, flowers, leaves and seeds are all used for medicinal purposes by Tamils. The leaves are used as adjunct to medicines used for pile complaints. The flowers are used to increase semen in men.

1.                Dried, whole plant — febrifuge, anthelmintic, demulcent, diuretic, anti-inflammatory (in urinary and uterine discharges, piles, lumbago).

2.                Juice of the plant — emollient.

3.                Seeds - demulcent (used in cough, chronic cystitis), laxative.

4.                Leaves - cooked and eaten for bleeding piles.

5.                Flowers - antibacterial, anti-inflammatory.

6.                Bark - astringent, diuretic.

7.                Root - nervine tonic, given in paralysis; also prescribed in strangury.

8.                Essential oil - antibacterial, antifungal.

In Indian Ayurveda, it is prescribed the use of the root in gout, polyuria and haemorrhagic diseases. The plant contains mucilage, tannins, asparagines, gallic acid and sesquiterpenes. Presence of alkaloids, leucoanthocyanins, flavonoids, sterols, triterpenoids, saponins and cardiac glycosides is also reported. Asparagine is diuretic. Gallic acid is analgesic. Mucilages act by reflex, loosen cough as well as bronchial tension.

The drug exhibits immunological activity.