Abstract

*Dr. Tripti Tyagi, Dr. Yashika Sharma, Dr. Sakshi Sharma and Dr. Rajesh Sharma

ABSTRACT

Bala chatushtya is a group of four medicinal herbs named as Bala, Atibala, Nagabala, Mahabala according to Bhav Prakash Nighantu. Ayurveda is branch of science of herbal drugs and their formulations in various diseases. Every drug has its own properties and own actions acting differently in different diseases. Ayurveda first line of treatment is prevention of occurrence of disease and reversing the pathogenesis of occurred disease. Bala is one of Balya ousadha to build up immunity of an individual. Various types of Bala has been mentioned in Samhitas and Nighantus under groups of Baladvaya, Balatraya, Balachatushtaya and Balapanchaya. In the present article we are undergoing detailed study of Bala, Atibala, Nagabala, Mahabala i.e Balachatushtya. All four varieties are used as medicinal plant and belongs to Malvaceae. Through this article, going to discuss combined and comparative study about rasadi guna, chemical composition, karma (action), therapeutic uses and administration of all four varieties. The plant Bala, Atibala are highly important Ayurveda herb in Vedas, Samhitas and Nighantus. Bala, Atibala are mainly acting as Balya medicinal herb extensively used to build up immunity. Ethnomedicinal uses of drug have also been discussed which opens the gate to further pharmacological experimentation of action which are not mentioned in classicals. The review declared that Bala varieties is used in many disorders related to aggravation of Vata-dosha.