Common Name:

General Information

Sida cordifolia is an erect, annual to perennial plant with stems that are branched at the base and become more or less woody, especially at the base. It can grow 50 - 200cm tall[, ].
The plant has a very long history of medicinal use and is often harvested from the wild. It also yields a useful fibre[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Widespread in subtropical to tropical areas through Africa, southern Asia to the Philippines, New Guinea and South America.

Habitat

A weed of wasteland[]. Usually grows as a weed of agricultural land and waste places, but also found in disturbed areas and along roads in rain forest, monsoon forest and vine thickets; at elevations up to 800 metres in Australia[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	1.20 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a lighter, sandy soil in a sunny position[].
The plant has become a weed in many areas and in some areas, such as Australia, it is a declared noxious weed. The seeds have awned mericarps and are spread by them adhering to clothing and livestock, in mud on vehicles, and as contaminants in hay and seed crops[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is antipruritic, aphrodisiac, astringent, diuretic, emollient, febrifuge and tonic[, ]. It is considered to be useful in the treatment of respiratory system related troubles[].The whole plant is boiled, and the water used as an herbal bath, or for washing the skin to relieve itching and the irritation of chickenpox and measles spots[]. The juiced plant is used as a treatment for rheumatism and spermatorrhea[].

The leaves are analgesic, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, febrifuge, nervine, stimulant and tonic[, ]. A decoction is drunk as a treatment for fevers[, ]. The leaves are pounded in water and the juice used in the treatment of spermatorrhea and gonorrhea[]. They are cooked and eaten as a treatment for bleeding piles[].
The fresh leaves are bruised and then applied as a poultice on boils in order to promote suppuration[]. They are used in the treatment of conjuctivitis[].

The stems are considered demulcent, emollient, febrifuge and diuretic[].

The bark is considered to be cooling[]. It is useful in the treatment of problems related to the blood, throat and urinary system; and is also used to treat conditions such as piles, phthisis, insanity etc[].
The root bark powder, combined with milk and sugar, is used in the treatment of frequent micturition and leukorrhea[].

The roots are considered to be astringent, cooling, stomachic and tonic[]. An infusion is used in the treatment of nervous and urinary diseases; and also for disorders of the blood and bile, asthma and as a heart tonic[]. Combined with ginger (Zingiber officinale), the root is used in the treatment of intermittent fevers with shivering fits[].
The juice of the roots is applied topically as a healing application for wounds[].

The seeds are considered aphrodisiac. They are used in the treatment of gonorrhea, cystitis, colds and tenesmus[].

An early study of the plant yielded the compound asparagin[].
The whole plant contains alkaloids; there are four times as many in the seeds than there are in the stems, roots and leaves[].
The plant contains ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine - these compounds being responsible for its cardiovascular and central nervous system stimulant effect[]. The alkaloid ephedrine is present at 0.8 to 1.2%[].

Other Uses

A good quality fibre is obtained from the plant[]. It can be used like jute (Corchorus spp.)[].

An extract of the whole plant is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].
An extract of the root is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

Propagation

Seed -

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