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.

SUGGESTED USE

Please follow label or as directed by your practitioner.
How should I take my herbs?
Follow these guidelines

Metabolic Nature of Bala

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.
INCREASES
Guna Help

Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas)

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

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COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

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GOOEY

ABOUT GOOEY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

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HEAVY

ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

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TASTES
Taste Help

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.

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DOSHAS
Dosha Help

The Three Doshas / Body Types

According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine, people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history.

The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded.

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PACIFIES
Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Kapha aggravating
HAS THE FOLLOWING
Tissue (dhatu):
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

,
Reproductive

REPRODUCTIVE

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

SEE ALL 'REPRODUCTIVE' FOODS / HERBS


Affinity:
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
HERBAL ACTIONS
(see all)

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Bala
Help
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.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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Flower / Bee Pollen

Flower / Bee Pollen has these Actions in Common

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

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Sesame Seeds

Sesame Seeds has these Actions in Common

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

LEARN MORE

Tahini

Tahini has these Actions in Common

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

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

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Dates (dried)

Dates (dried) has these Actions in Common

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

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Honey

Honey has these Actions in Common

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

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Jackfruit

Jackfruit has these Actions in Common

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

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Stinging Nettles

Stinging Nettles has these Actions in Common

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

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Fenugreek

Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

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

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Almond Milk

Almond Milk has these Actions in Common

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

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Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Bala

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

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

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Shatavari

Shatavari has these Actions in Common

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

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Gokshura

Gokshura has these Actions in Common

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

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Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto has these Actions in Common

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

LEARN MORE

Eleuthero Ginseng

Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common

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

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Vidari

Vidari has these Actions in Common

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

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Balarishta- Vitality Tonic

Balarishta- Vitality Tonic has these Actions in Common

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

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Almond Oil

Almond Oil has these Actions in Common

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

LEARN MORE

Damiana

Damiana has these Actions in Common

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

LEARN MORE

Oats, Fresh Milky Seed

Oats, Fresh Milky Seed has these Actions in Common

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

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Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine.

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. 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. Please see your health care provider for more information.
  • Analgesic: If the mechanism of pain relief is narcotic, do not combine with antihistamines.

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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.

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