Atibala

Description

Habitat – Found throughout tropical and subtropical India, often along roadsides, waste lands, and dry fields. Prefers sandy and loamy soil. Morphology – An erect, softly tomentose shrub, up to 1.5 m in height. Leaves are simple, cordate, irregularly toothed, velvety in texture. Flowers are yellow, axillary, solitary, with 5 petals. Fruits are schizocarps with 15–20 mericarps. Seeds are kidney-shaped, brownish black. Grahya Lakṣaṇa – Fresh, green leaves with softness, bright yellow flowers, and mature but intact fruits are considered grahya.

Useful Parts

Root, leaves, seeds, whole plant

Benefits

1. Anti-inflammatory & analgesic – Reduces pain, swelling, and arthritis-related symptoms. 2. Hepatoprotective – Protects liver from drug- and toxin-induced damage. 3. Antimicrobial – Active against bacteria (Staphylococcus, E. coli) and fungi. 4. Antidiabetic – Lowers blood glucose and improves insulin sensitivity. 5. Antioxidant – Scavenges free radicals, prevents oxidative stress. 6. Wound healing – Promotes faster healing of burns, cuts, and ulcers. 7 . Immunomodulatory – Enhances immunity and resistance to infections.

Pharmacological Action

Anti-inflammatory Analgesic Antioxidant Diuretic Hepatoprotective Immunomodulatory Nervine tonic

Rasapancakam

Rasa: Madhura

Guna: Laghu, Snigdha

Virya: Sheeta

Vipaka: Madhura

Dosha Karma: Vata pitta shamaka