College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Bala Herbal Powder (Sida cordifolia)

Cooling anabolic muscle strengthening, diuretic. Clears urinary heat, infection, accumulation. Replenishes fluids (demulcent), reduces nephrotoxicity, acts as nephroprotective (antioxidant). Banned by FDA. Like Ashwagandha but sweeter, cooler

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Bala strengthens while it both energizes and calms. The name Bala means "strength". Bala is a muscle tonic and promotes muscle comfort - relieving muscle cramping. It calms the nerves. Bala improves libido, and improves fertility by nourishing reproductive fluids both sexes.

Bala is an ideal nerve tonic for Vata, but may be congestive for Kapha.

Bala contains ephedra - known as a bronchoconstrictor. Since April 12, 2004 herbs containing ephedrine alkaloids have been prohibited by the FDA for use in dietary supplements. The final rule states that it "does not affect the use of Ephedra preparations in traditional Asian medicine." Bala is an entirely different species of plant than Ephedra, but it does contain a relatively small amount of ephedrine alkaloids as do several other plants. Because of the way the final rule is written, it is currently unclear how bala may be used by practitioners of Ayurveda. It is available as a bulk powder to Ayurvedic practitioners for traditional use in external preparations.

Metabolic Nature of Bala

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

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COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

GOOEY

ABOUT GOOEY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Gooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GOOEY

HEAVY

ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HEAVY

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Kapha aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot and oily with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body. Vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES
PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

Other

Muscle

MUSCLE

Muscle tissue (Mamsa Dhatu) includes muscles and ligaments.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nerves

NERVES

Marrow tissue (Majja Dhatu) includes bone marrow and nervous tissue.

SEE ALL 'NERVES' FOODS / HERBS

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Reproductive

REPRODUCTIVE

Reproductive tissue (Shukra/Artava Dhatu) includes male and female reproductive organs.

SEE ALL 'REPRODUCTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Aging

ANTI-AGING

Geriatric conditions typically involve low agni / metabolism, poor circulation, weakness & debility, muscle weakening, poor digestion, a drop in sex hormones, and connective tissue degradation in bones & skin.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-AGING' FOODS / HERBS

, Mind Stress Sleep, Muscle Health, Reproductive Health

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Bala
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Nervine

STRONG NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

Builds Stamina

BUILDS-STAMINA

Promotes strength, endurance and resistance in the body. Rebuilds weak tissues after a time of depletion.

SEE ALL 'BUILDS-STAMINA' FOODS / HERBS

,
Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Tonic

TONIC

A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine.

SEE ALL 'TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Demulcent

DEMULCENT

Herbs that coat or form a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane.

SEE ALL 'DEMULCENT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Vulnerary

VULNERARY

An herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic).

SEE ALL 'VULNERARY' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Immune Stimulant

IMMUNE-STIMULANT

Stimulates and strengthens the immune system. Helpful when fighting off a cold or flu.

SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Urinary Tonic

URINARY-TONIC

An herb that tonifies and strengthens the urinary system. These can be helpful for urinary incontinence or improving function after a urinary tract infection. They can also strengthen the bladder to ward off a urinary tract infection.

SEE ALL 'URINARY-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Aphrodisiac

APHRODISIAC

Herbs that increase sexual arousal through various actions including increased circulation, relaxation, stimulation, or tonics that strengthen glandular health.

SEE ALL 'APHRODISIAC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Builds Semen

BUILDS-SEMEN

Herbs that increase the production of semen, often by rebuilding fluids in general.

SEE ALL 'BUILDS-SEMEN' FOODS / HERBS

,
Promotes Fertility

PROMOTES-FERTILITY

An herb that promotes fertility. Generally used by women who wish to become pregnant. These herbs may also help with menstrual problems of deficiency, such as amenorrhea (lack of a period).

SEE ALL 'PROMOTES-FERTILITY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Promotes Virility

PROMOTES-VIRILITY

Encourages virility and potency.

SEE ALL 'PROMOTES-VIRILITY' FOODS / HERBS

Muscle Tonic

MUSCLE-TONIC

Herbs that strengthen and tone muscle tissue. Helpful for people recovering from long term illness and debility, or after a sprain.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:

Foods with a Similar Nature to Bala

  • Almonds

    Almonds has these Actions in Common

    Builds-semen, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Builds-stamina, Nutritive, Tonic, Aphrodisiac, Muscle-tonic, Promotes-virility

    LEARN MORE

  • Flower / Bee Pollen

    Flower / Bee Pollen has these Actions in Common

    Builds-stamina, Promotes-fertility, Tonic, Immune-stimulant, Promotes-virility, Aphrodisiac, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Sesame Seeds

    Sesame Seeds has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-tonic, Promotes-virility, Builds-semen, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy, Builds-stamina, Promotes-fertility, Tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Tahini

    Tahini has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Stimulates-energy, Builds-stamina, Promotes-fertility, Tonic, Muscle-tonic, Promotes-virility, Builds-semen

    LEARN MORE

  • Sesame Oil

    Sesame Oil has these Actions in Common

    Builds-semen, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy, Builds-stamina, Promotes-fertility, Tonic, Muscle-tonic, Promotes-virility

    LEARN MORE

  • Dates (dried)

    Dates (dried) has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Promotes-fertility, Analgesic, Muscle-tonic, Tonic, Aphrodisiac, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Honey

    Honey has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-tonic, Stimulates-energy, Nutritive, Tonic, Demulcent, Promotes-virility, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

  • Jackfruit

    Jackfruit has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Demulcent, Tonic, Aphrodisiac, Muscle-tonic, Builds-semen, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Stinging Nettles

    Stinging Nettles has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Promotes-virility, Vulnerary, Builds-stamina, Tonic, Nutritive, Urinary-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Fenugreek

    Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

    Aphrodisiac, Nutritive, Demulcent, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Nervine, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

  • Almond Milk

    Almond Milk has these Actions in Common

    Builds-semen, Promotes-fertility, Demulcent, Promotes-virility, Nutritive, Tonic

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Bala

  • Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Promotes-virility, Anti-inflammatory, Tonic, Aphrodisiac, Urinary-tonic, Builds-semen, Vulnerary, Builds-stamina, Muscle-tonic, Nervine, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Shatavari

    Shatavari has these Actions in Common

    Aphrodisiac, Builds-semen, Demulcent, Muscle-tonic, Nutritive, Promotes-fertility, Tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

  • Gokshura

    Gokshura has these Actions in Common

    Tonic, Analgesic, Urinary-tonic, Aphrodisiac, Builds-semen, Demulcent, Nervine, Nutritive, Promotes-fertility

    LEARN MORE

  • Saw Palmetto

    Saw Palmetto has these Actions in Common

    Aphrodisiac, Muscle-tonic, Nervine, Nutritive, Promotes-fertility, Tonic, Urinary-tonic, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Eleuthero Ginseng

    Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-tonic, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Tonic, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Builds-stamina, Immune-stimulant

    LEARN MORE

  • Vidari

    Vidari has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Muscle-tonic, Nutritive, Promotes-fertility, Tonic, Urinary-tonic, Aphrodisiac, Builds-semen

    LEARN MORE

  • Balarishta- Vitality Tonic

    Balarishta- Vitality Tonic has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Aphrodisiac, Builds-stamina, Muscle-tonic, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Almond Oil

    Almond Oil has these Actions in Common

    Builds-semen, Immune-stimulant, Muscle-tonic, Nervine, Nutritive, Tonic, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Damiana

    Damiana has these Actions in Common

    Aphrodisiac, Builds-stamina, Nervine, Promotes-fertility, Promotes-virility, Stimulates-energy, Urinary-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Oats, Fresh Milky Seed

    Oats, Fresh Milky Seed has these Actions in Common

    Tonic, Vulnerary, Muscle-tonic, Nervine, Nutritive, Promotes-fertility, Promotes-virility

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

See guidelines for herbs?
Follow these guidelines

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Bala may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Bala may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Bala. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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Vata-Reducing, Anti-Aging, Mind-Stress-Sleep, Muscle-Health, Reproductive-Health
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What is Ayurveda?

Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.