Botanical Name

Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet

Family

Malvaceae

Synonyms

Abutilon albidum (Willd.) Sweet, Abutilon arborescens Medik., Abutilon asiaticum (L.) Sweet, Abutilon croizatianum Moscoso, Abutilon cysticarpum Hance ex Walp., Abutilon populifolium (Lam.) Sweet, Sida indica L.

Regional Name

English : Indian Mallow, Hindi : Kanghi, Sanskrit : Kankatika, Rsyaprokta, Urdu : Kanghi, Mashtal Ghol, Peeli Buti, Kuho, Pat-tir, Punjabi : Kangi, Kangibooti, Gujrati : Kansaki, Khapat, Assamese : Jayavandha, Jayapateri, Bengali : Badela, Kannada : Shrimudrigida, Mudragida, Turube, Kashmiri : Kath, Malayalam : Uram, Katuvan, Urubam, Urabam, Vankuruntott, Oorpam, Tutti, Marathi : Chakrabhendi, Petari, Mudra, Oriya : Pedipidika, Tamil : Tutti, Thuthi, Telugu : Tutturubenda.

Part Used

Whole plant

Description

Atibala is globally distributed in the Pantropics. Within India, it is found in the sub-Himalayan tracts and other hills and throughout the hotter parts of India. It is a common weed on road sides and other waste places, degraded lands, plains and hills, up to an elevation of 600-1200 m. Atibala is a hairy herb or under-shrub 1.0-1.5 m high, annual or more often perennial with golden yellow flowers. Tap roots, fairly long with a number of lateral branches, 1.5-2 cm in diameter, light brown, outer surface smooth with dot like lenticels, bark thin and can be easily peeled off, odour, feeble, taste, astringent and bitter.

Phytoconstituents

Atibala contains Asparagin and β-Sitosterol

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa : Madhura, Guna : Snigdha, Vipaka : Madhura, Virya : Sita, Karma :Balya, Vatahara, Vrsya, Grahi.

Ayurvedic Applications

Raktapitta, Vatarakta, Meha

Medicinal Uses

It is used in chronic skin disorders, bleeding disorders, leprosy, headaches, ulcers, piles, gleet and cystitis. It is also useful in urinary and uterine discharges, gonorrhoea and bladder infection.