Sida Cordifolia

Supplement Ingredient Guide: Sida Cordifolia

What is it?

Sida Cordifolia is a plant, native to India, however now is considered naturalised throughout the world, mainly Africa, Australia, the southern United States, Hawaiian Islands, New Guinea, and French Polynesia. For many centuries it has been used in traditional folk medicine to treat various inflammatory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and nasal congestion. 

Indications

Sida cordifolia is primarily indicated for those looking to lose weight. However, it’s also capable of down-regulating the nervous system thus lowering blood pressure.

How much should I take?

If you are considering to take Sida Cordifolia, it’s recommended that you take 2x100mg capsules per day. First one after your breakfast meal and the second one after you’re main meal of day. 

Research

The main claim surrounding Sida Cordifolia is it’s ability to burn fat. A lot of research has gone into how it affects the human body and it was concluded that Sida Cordifolia acts as a central nervous system depressant i.e. slows down the heart rate and reduces the blood pressure. This doesn’t explain the weightloss claims. However, it’s ability to reduce the blood glucose levels does. Research has shown that it can dramatically decrease the amount going through the body meaning less will be converted into fat which is a way of reducing the body’s levels of fat.

In addition to that, some research has shown that it’s capable of increasing the body’s tolerance of pain, reduce inflammation and also the potential to act as an anti-oxidant. These observations haven’t been explained yet, but I would propose that they are related to the depressive effect of Sida Cordifolia on the CNS.

It has to be noted though that there hasn’t been much research on the effects of Sida Cordifolia on humans and that the majority was done on mice and rats which in the world of clinical trials are very good to comparing them to the humans physiological reaction.

Side effects

Sida cordifolia is generally a safe to use substance however some rare side effects were reported, including low blood pressure, although that is a rare complication. Other reported, yet rare side effects include nervousness, irritability, trembling, headache, dizziness, itchy scalp and skin, vomiting and hyperthermia.

References

 1- Auddy, B., Ferreira, M., Blasina, F., Lafon, L., Arredondo, F., Dajas, F., Tripathi, P. C., Seal, T. and Mukherjee, B. (2003) Screening of antioxidant activity of three Indian medicinal plants, traditionally used for management of neurodegenerative diseases. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 84, 131-138.

2- Franco, C. I. F., Morais, L. C. S. L., Quintans-Junior, L. J., Almeida, R. N. and Antoniolli, A. R. (2005) CNS pharmacological effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Sida cordifolia L. leaves. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 98, 275-279.

3- Franzotti, E. M., Santos, C. V. F., Rodrigues, H. M. S. L., Mourao, R. H. V., Andrade, A. R. and Antoniolli, A. R. (2000) Anti inflammatory, analgesic activity and acute toxicity of Sida cordifolia L. (Malva-branca). Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 72, 273-278.

4- Ghosal, S., Chauhan, R. R. P. S. and Mehta, R. (1975) Alkaloids of Sida cordifolia. Phytherapy Chemistry. 14, 830-832.

5- Kanth, V. R. and Diwan, P. V. (1999) Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycaemic activities of Sida cordifolia. Phytopherapy Research. 13 (1), 75-7.

6- Mediros, I. A., Santos, M. R. V., Nascimento, N. M. S. and Duarte, J. C. (2005) Cardiovascular effects of Sida cordifolia leaves extract in rats. Fitoterapia. ARTICLE IN PRESS.