Bald.

Bάtyάlaka.

Vern. Berela, Beng. Khareti, Hind.

Four varietes of bald are mentioned by Sanskrit writers, namely, Batyάlaka, (Sida cordifolia). Mahάbalά.(Sida rhomboidea.)* Atibalά, (Sida rhombifolia). Ndgabalά, (Sida alba). The roots of all these species, are regarded as cooling, astringent, tonic and useful in nervous diseases, urinary diseases and disorders of the blood and bile. In intermittent fever, a decoction of the root of Sida cordifolia and ginger is given.1 It is said to be useful in fevers with cold shivering fits, followed by strong heat of body. The powder of the root-bark is given with milk and sugar, for the relief of frequent micturition and leucorrhoea.2

* This is only a variety of Sida rhombifolia, L.

In diseases of the nervous system, such as insanity, paralysis, facial palsy, etc. the root of Sida cordifolia is used alone or in combination with other medicines, as in the following, called Masha baladi kvάtha.3 Take of the pulse of Phaseolus Roxbur-ghii ( mάsha ), root-bark of Sida cordifolia ( balά),, root of castor oil plant and of Mucuna pruriens ( άtmagupta ), Hygrophila polysperma ( katrina ), Vanda Roxburghii ( rάsnά), and Withania somnifera (asvagandhά), equal parts, in all two tolas, and prepare a decoction in the usual way. It is administered with the addition of assafoetida and rock salt, in hemiplegia, stiff neck, facial paralysis, and noise in the ears with headache. An oil for external application in these diseases, called Balάtaila4 is thus prepared. Take of the root of Sida cordifolia, four seers, water, thirty-two seers and boil down to eight seers. To this decoction, add eight seers of milk, four seers of prepared sesamum oil, and one seer of the root of Sida cordifolia in the form of paste, and prepare an oil in the usual way.