Latin name-Calotropis procera
Family- Apocynaceae
kula – Arka kula
English name-madar
Sanskrit name-ksheerparna(whole leaf contains latex)
Mandar,vasuka
Botanical description-arka is a shrub ,
Stem-hard,bark with grey striations on it
Leaves-ovoid shape and big and upper surface of the leaf is smooth and dorsally it is hairy.
Flowers-externally white and internally reddish,flower stalk grows in the acute angle of leaf and it has many branches
Seeds-small and black colour
Flowering time-spring and fruiting in summer
Fruits-long,curved abd break open on drying.
Varieties-two variety depending on the colour of the flower-1. White,known as alarka or mandar 2. Bluish
Habitat -it. is a soft-wooded, perennial shrub. It is an evergreen xerophytic plant, generally found in arid and semi-arid habitats
Chemical composition-cardenolides, steroids, tannins, glycosides, phenols, terpenoids, sugars, flavonoids, alkaloids.
Properties-
Guna – laghu,ruksha, teekshna
Rasa -katu,tikta
Vipak-katu
Veerya- ushna
Doshakarma-kapha-vatashamak
External uses-
• it is analgesic,anti-inflammatory,varnashodhan,anti-dermatosis,anti-microbial ,it s used In rheumatoid arthritis.
• In inflammation and pain,leaves are heated and are bound on the affected area and oil made up of leaf juice is also used for massage.this oil also used in otalgia, deafness.
• Its leaf powder is applied on the wound,healing occurs faster.
• In tumour,inflammation and lymphadenopathy.its latex applied.
• In dermatoses and other skin diseses its latex+mustard oil is applied.
• In leukoderma-latex applied
• Alopecia and haemorrhoids-latex use
Internal uses-
1) Digestive system -It is an emetic, increases appetite, digestive, purgative, antheminc. It causes irritation of stomach by stimulating vomiting centre in the brain and thus cases emesis. In anorexia, its latex is used.
2) Circulatory system-its Root bark is a cardiac stimulant, purifies blood and is antiinflamatory .Flowers of red variety is used in haemorrhagic disorders. Root bark is used in cardiac debility,chancroid ulcers and many other blood diseases.
3) Respiratory system- Expectorant and anti asthmatic. Therefore root bark and flowers are user in kaphavataj kasa and asthma. As it is a diphoretic, therefore it is used in dermatosis. It is a very potent Temperature: Febrifuge and also effective in typhoid.
4) Satmikaran- It is a bitter tonic and stimulates all the body elements with increase of strength. It is antitoxic. In snake bite, its root sap with black pepper is given as an antidote.
Parts used- Root bark, latex, flowers, leaves, kshar
Special formulations- Arka lavan, Arka oil, Arkeshwar, Arkadi churna, Arkakalakandavati, PravalPanchamrit, Sootika bharan.
Misues- Root bark given in high dose causes burning sensation of stomach and vomiting Milk, ghee and other sheeta, shamak, snigdha and antitoxic substances must be given as antidote
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