Indian Mallow for Conjunctivitis: Does It Work?
Does Indian Mallow (Atibala) help with conjunctivitis? There is one classical link, and it is specific. Sushruta Samhita names Indian Mallow in a practitioner-given nasal treatment for the blood-type of conjunctivitis, not in anything you put in or around your eyes.
Ayurveda calls conjunctivitis (Abhishyanda), meaning "that which flows or overflows." Sharangadhara Samhita describes four types: one from each of the three doshas and one from the blood (Rakta). Most cases involve Pitta, the hot dosha, which makes the eye red, burning and sensitive to light.
Indian Mallow is sweet, heavy and unctuous, with a cooling potency (Sheeta Virya) and a sweet post-digestive effect (Madhura Vipaka). Its name means "exceeding Bala," because it is considered even more strengthening than its cousin Bala. Classical texts list it as a calmer of Vata.
What the classical texts say
Medicated with saha, ashvagandha (Withania), atibala (country mallow), and vari, this is beneficial as nasya.
Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya
The same preparation appears again in Chapter 17, on diseases of vision. Nasya is a nasal therapy, and this is a clinical preparation for a practitioner to make and give.
How Indian Mallow Helps with Conjunctivitis
Our sources do not explain in detail why Indian Mallow appears in Sushruta's eye chapters, so the reasoning here comes from its recorded qualities and the nature of the condition.
A cooling herb for a hot condition
Conjunctivitis is primarily a Pitta disorder, and the blood-type form is tied to the blood itself. Indian Mallow's cooling potency and sweet taste are the opposite of Pitta's heat and sharpness. That cooling, sweet profile fits the pattern Sushruta was treating.
Nourishing and moistening
Indian Mallow is heavy, unctuous and mucilaginous, and our sources describe it as a soothing demulcent for urinary burning. Those same moist, nourishing qualities counter the dryness of Vata, which is why it sits in Sushruta's list of Vata-pacifying herbs.
Delivered through the nose, not the eye
Sushruta uses Indian Mallow in a nasal preparation (Nasya) for blood-type conjunctivitis and for diseases of vision, rather than as an eye application. Our sources contain no modern research on Indian Mallow for the eyes.
How to Use Indian Mallow for Conjunctivitis
First, see an eye doctor for any red, painful or discharging eye. Do not put Indian Mallow, or any juice, paste, oil or powder, into or near your eye yourself.
The classical route is a practitioner's nasal therapy
Sushruta's preparation combines Indian Mallow with saha, ashwagandha and vari and is given as Nasya. A trained Ayurvedic practitioner prepares it and decides whether it suits you, so this is not a home recipe.
Internal use and dose
Our sources give no conjunctivitis-specific dose. Bhavaprakasha gives general classical doses for Indian Mallow (a decoction of 4 tola, or 2 to 4 masha of seed powder, for 4 to 5 days), but these are old Indian weights, so a qualified practitioner should convert them into a modern amount for you.
Match it to your type
- Blood type (marked redness): the type Sushruta names it for.
- Pitta type (red, burning, light hurts): its cooling potency fits this heat-driven pattern.
- Vata type (dry, gritty): its moist, nourishing quality counters dryness.
Who should be careful
Our classical sources list no specific contraindications or drug interactions, and that silence is not a safety clearance. Check with a practitioner first if you are pregnant, nursing or take prescription medicines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indian Mallow used for pink eye in Ayurveda?
Yes, in one specific way. Sushruta Samhita names it in a nasal treatment for blood-type conjunctivitis and for diseases of vision. It is a practitioner's preparation, not a home eye remedy.
Can I make an eyewash from Indian Mallow?
No. Our sources describe no eyewash or eye drop made from it. Do not self-apply anything to the eye, and see an eye doctor for a red, painful or discharging eye.
Indian Mallow vs Bala for conjunctivitis?
Both are strengthening mallows and both are linked to conjunctivitis in our sources. Indian Mallow is described as heavier and more nourishing. See Bala for conjunctivitis for comparison.
What else cools a hot, red eye?
Our conjunctivitis guide leans on cooling measures such as Triphala, rose water and ghee. You can also read Amla for conjunctivitis or Licorice for conjunctivitis.
Recommended: Start Indian Mallow for Conjunctivitis
If you want to explore Indian Mallow for conjunctivitis, the simplest starting point is an eye doctor for a diagnosis, then a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner who works with classical nasal therapy.
Best form: the practitioner-prepared nasal preparation (Nasya) described in Sushruta Samhita, since that is the only form our sources tie to the eyes. For general internal use, the seed powder is the classical form, with a practitioner converting the dose.
Dosha fork: its cooling, sweet nature fits hot Pitta-type and blood-type eyes, and its moist, nourishing quality suits dry Vata-type eyes. For heavy, sticky Kapha-type discharge, ask your practitioner about other herbs.
Find Indian Mallow on Amazon ↗ Triphala Powder ↗
Safety note: see an eye doctor for any red, painful or discharging eye, do not self-apply anything to the eye, and check the label for Abutilon indicum.
Safety & Precautions
Our classical sources do not list specific contraindications, drug interactions or overdose signs for Indian Mallow. That does not mean it is risk-free; it means the texts we draw on are silent, and we would rather tell you that than guess.
What the Properties Suggest
Indian Mallow is heavy, unctuous and cooling, and the Bhavaprakash Nighantu calls it heavier than Bala. In Ayurvedic reasoning, substances like this are best suited to people who feel depleted, dry or weak.
If you tend toward sluggish digestion, heaviness or congestion, talk with a practitioner before using a heavy, nourishing tonic like this one.
Short Courses
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu gives a duration of four to five days. Stick within the guidance you are given rather than extending use on your own.
Pregnancy, Nursing and Medications
Classical texts list it as supporting breast milk, but they give no specific safety guidance for pregnancy. If you are pregnant, nursing, managing a chronic condition or taking prescription medicines, consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner and your doctor before using it.
Other Herbs for Conjunctivitis
See all herbs for conjunctivitis on the Conjunctivitis page.
▶ Classical Text References (4 sources)
Madhura Gana – group of sweet substances: घ ृत हे म गुडा ोडमोचचोचप षकम ् अभी वीरा पनस राजादनबला यम ् मेदे चत ः प ण योजीव ती जीवक ऋषभौ मधूकं मधुकं ब बी वदार ीर शु ला त ग ु ा ीर ीरे ुगो ुर ौ ावणीयुगम ् ी र यौ का मर सहे ा ा दमधुरो गणः Ghrita (ghee, butter fat), Hema (gold), Guda (molasses), Akshoda, Mocha, Chocha, Parushaka, Abhiru, Vira, Panasa, Rajadana, the three Bala (Bala, Atibala and Nagabala), The two Medas – Meda and Mahameda, The four Parni – Shalaparni, Prishnaparni, Mudgaparni, Ma
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
Vacha (Acorus Calamus), vamsha bark (Bambusa arundinacea), patha (Cissambelos Pereira), nata (Valeneria wallichii), flower stalk of tulasi (Ocimum sanctum), bala (Sida cordifolia), atibala (Abutilon indicum), nakuli (Alpinia galangal), kushtha (Saussurea lappa), shirisha (Albizzia lebbeck), haridra (Curcuma longa), daruharidra (Berberis aristata), guha (krishnaparni - Uraria picta), atiguha (shalaparni - Desmodium gangeticum), shveta (Clitoria ternacia), ajagandha (Carum roxburghianum), shilajat
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
ityamr̥taghr̥tam| One adhaka of ghee cooked by adding the paste of one aksha each of bark of shirisha (Albizzia lebbeck), shunthi (Zingiber officinale), pippali (Piper longum), maricha (Piper nigrum), triphala (Terminalia chebula, Emblica officinalia, Terminalia bellerica), chandana (Santalum album), utpala (Nelumbo nucifera), bala (Sida cordifolia), atibala (Abutilon indicum), sariva (Hemidismus indicus), asphota (Semicarpus anacardium), surabhi, nimbi (Azardirachta indica), patala (Stereosperm
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Later add 512 tolas (60144 l) of sesame oil and equal quantity of milk in this decoction, along with paste of 1 tola (12 gm) each of cardamom, ela, mamsi, nata, ushira, sariva, kushtha, chandana, bala, tamalaki, meda, shatapushpa, riddhi, jeevaka, kakoli, ksheerakakoli, shravani, atibala, nakha, mahashravani, jeevanti,vidari, kapikacchu, shatavari, mahameda, karkata, harenu, vacha, gokshura, eranda, rasna, kala, sahachara, bala, veera, shallaki, musta, tvak, patra, rishabhaka, balaka, ela, kunku
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 28: Vata Disorders Treatment (Vatavyadhi Chikitsa / वातव्याधिचिकित्सा)
Bala, atibala, meda, shatavari, atmagupta, kakoli, kshirakakoli, rasna, riddhima is to be taken in equal quantity and crushed then take one part kalka, four times ghee and milk and mix it and carryout snehasiddhi.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 29: Gout Treatment (Vatarakta Chikitsa / वातरक्तचिकित्सा)
Both laghu and brihad panchamula (dashmula), varshabhu (Trianthema portulacastrum), eranda, punarnava, mudgaparni (Phaseolus trilobus), mahameda, mashaparni (Teramnus labialis), shatavari, shankhapushpi, avakpushpi, rasna (Pluchea lanceolata), bala, atibala, are to be taken 80 gm each and crushed then boiled in one drone water (approximately 10.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 29: Gout Treatment (Vatarakta Chikitsa / वातरक्तचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 28: Vata Disorders Treatment (Vatavyadhi Chikitsa / वातव्याधिचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 29: Gout Treatment (Vatarakta Chikitsa / वातरक्तचिकित्सा)
Rasna Saptaka Kvatha: Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata), Dashamula (ten roots), Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris), Atibala (Abutilon indicum), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), and Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) — these seven constitute the excellent decoction known as Rasna Saptaka.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)
Also: Murva (Marsdenia tenacissima), Madhurasa/Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra — licorice), Danti (Baliospermum montanum), Pushkara Moola (Inula racemosa), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Atibala (Abutilon indicum), Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens), and Trikantaka/Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations)
Medicated with saha, ashvagandha (Withania), atibala (country mallow), and vari — this is beneficial as nasya.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)
Medicated with saha, ashvagandha (Withania), atibala (country mallow), and vari — this is beneficial as nasya.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
The Vata-pacifying group includes: bhadradaru, kushtha, turmeric, varuna, mesha-shringi, bala, atibala, artagala, kachchura, shallaki, kuberachi, virataru, sahachara, agnimantha, vatsadani, eranda, ashmabhedaka, kalakarka, shatavari, punarnava, vasuka, vashiraka, achchhanaka, bhargi, karpa, sivrishchikali, pattura, badara, yava, kola, kulattha, and others from the Vidarigandhadi group (verse 7).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 39: Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification
The sweet (madhura) group includes: Kakolyadi group, ghee, fat, marrow, shali rice, shashtika rice, barley, wheat, shringataka, seruka, trapusa (cucumber), ervaaruka, karkaru, kala, bukalindaka, taka, giloda, priyala, pushkara seed, kashmari, madhuka, dracha (grapes), kharjura (dates), rajadana, tala (palm), nalikera (coconut), water preparations, bala, atibala, atmagupta, vidari, payasya, gochuraka, chira, morata, madhulika, krishmaranda, and others.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 42: Rasavishesha-vijnaniya Adhyaya - On Specific Knowledge of Tastes
The Vata-pacifying group includes: bhadradaru, kushtha, turmeric, varuna, mesha-shringi, bala, atibala, artagala, kachchura, shallaki, kuberachi, virataru, sahachara, agnimantha, vatsadani, eranda, ashmabhedaka, kalakarka, shatavari, punarnava, vasuka, vashiraka, achchhanaka, bhargi, karpa, sivrishchikali, pattura, badara, yava, kola, kulattha, and others from the Vidarigandhadi group (verse 7).
— Sushruta Samhita, Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga); Sutra Sthana, Chapter 39: Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 42: Rasavishesha-vijnaniya Adhyaya - On Specific Knowledge of Tastes; Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.