Bala, nila thuthi in Tamil, is country mallow, a small, velvety-haired weed of waste ground whose root is one of Ayurveda’s main strength-giving herbs, as in bala taila. The plant contains ephedrine, the same stimulant found in ephedra. Because of that, supplements containing it are banned or restricted in several countries, including the United States.
- Botanical name
- Sida cordifolia L.
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Tamil
- Nila thuthi
- Hindi
- Bala
- Sanskrit
- Balā
- Parts used
- Root in lists, Whole plant in lists
- Habit
- Velvety weedy subshrub; bala root contains ephedrine
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Nila thuthi
It is an erect, branching subshrub, usually knee-high, covered all over in soft, velvety hairs.
The leaves are heart-shaped, toothed and soft to the touch.
Small yellow to pale orange five-petalled flowers grow singly in the leaf axils.
The fruit is a small disc of segments, each with two short bristles.
Abutilon indicum is a larger shrub with bigger flowers and a crown-like fruit.
The root is long, tough and pale yellow-brown.
Traditional use of Nila thuthi
Ayurveda
Bala root is used in bala taila and other formulas for strength, nerve and joint complaints.
Ayurvedic practice
Siddha
Nila thuthi root appears in Siddha tonic preparations.
Siddha practice
Modern notes on Nila thuthi
The plant contains ephedrine and related alkaloids, which raise heart rate and blood pressure.
In 2004 the United States banned supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids, which covered products made from Sida cordifolia.
Oils for external use, such as bala taila, deliver much less alkaloid than oral extracts.
Sida species are hard to tell apart, and other Sida species are often sold as bala.
Nila thuthi safety
Do not take bala by mouth if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety, thyroid problems or are pregnant, and avoid it with stimulants or caffeine.
Ecology and sourcing
It grows on waste ground and roadsides across the tropics.
Bees visit its small yellow flowers.
Its seeds stick to fur and clothing.
Related plants
Also in Malvaceae
Questions about Nila thuthi
What is bala?
The Sanskrit name for this plant.
Does Nila thuthi contain ephedrine?
Yes.
Is Nila thuthi legal in supplements?
It is banned or restricted in several countries.
What is bala taila?
An Ayurvedic oil for external use.
Is Nila thuthi a weed?
Yes, a common one.
Sources
- Sida cordifolia L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q1300611 (Sida cordifolia)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.