Botany
An erect, branched shrub reaching 0.5 to 1.5 meteres in height. Leaves are oblong to rhomboid, 1 to 4 cm long, the apex rounded or pointed, the margins toothed, and the lower surface covered with very short pale hairs. Flowers occur singly in the axil of the leaves. Calyx is green. Corolla is yellow, about 1.5 cnm diameter. Fruit has 8 to 10 carpels which are smooth or somewhat wrinkled, about 2.5 mm long and awned.

Medicinal properties
Demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, stomachic, tonic.
Sudorific, appetite stimulant.

Distribution
A very common weed in the Philippines.

Constituents and properties
• Roots are considered febrifuge, cooling, astringent, tonic.
• Seven ecdysteroids, including three new compounds were isolated. (See Link)

Parts used
Whole plant.

Uses
Folkloric
Decoction of the roots is used as a gargle for toothaches; internally, as a stomachic.
Decoction of bitter for fever.
A decoction from any plant part used for irregular menses.
Pulped leaves applied externally for stomach aches.
Pulped leaves with Blumea balsifera (dalapot) applied externally for headaches.
Plant parts with coconut oil externally for itching.
Decoction of roots for infantile diarrhea.
The roots when crushed with ginger, held in the mouth, for toothaches.
The leaves and juice, taken by mouth for stomach cramps.
Cataplasm of fresh leaves promote maturation of abscesses.
The leaves have been used as tea.
The flowers are used for wasp stings.
Root decoction has been used for bronchitis and asthma.
Hindus use it for fever, nervous and urinary diseases.
Root juice used for wound healing.
Others
Stem yields a good fiber.
Studies
• Cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of Sida rhombifolia (Malvaceae) grown in Bangladesh: The ethyl acetate extract showed potent cytotoxicity. Extracts showed weak antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative test organisms.
• Evaluation of In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Sida rhombifolia (L.) Ssp. retusa (L.) : All the extracts showed effective free radica scavenging activity, reducing activity, and superoxide scavenging activity. The results indicate S. rhombifolia is a potential source of natural antioxidants.

Availability
Wild-crafted.

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of Sida rhombifolia (Malvaceae) grown in Bangladesh / M. Ekramul Islam, M. Ekramul Haque, M. A. Mosaddik
(2)
Evaluation of In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Sida rhombifolia (L.) Ssp. retusa (L.)
(3)
Ecdysteroid Glycosides from Sida rhombifolia L.