A fast easy growing perennial shrub from tropical and sub-tropical India and Nepal. Sida Cordifolia has been used in India for over 2,000 years to treat bronchial asthma cold & flu, chills, lack of perspiration, headache, nasal congestion, aching joints and bones, cough & wheezing, and edema.

In Western terms, Sida Cordifolia is considered to have diaphoretic, diuretic, central nervous system stimulating and anti-asthmatic properties. The stem of this plant contains a number of active compounds, including small amounts of an essential oil, and most important, 1 to 2% alkaloids composed mainly of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, with ephedrine ranging from 30 to 90%, depending on the source.

Sida cordifolia plant containing 0.8% to 1.2% of the alkaloid ephedrine.
It is considered to be one of the most valuable drugs in Ayurveda.
It was used by Ayurveda physicians as an antipyretic in febrile and infectious diseases, and also as an aphrodisiac. Sida Cordifolia has also been used in the support treatment of chronic broncho-pulminary conditions characterized by bronchospasm and cough.