Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

treatment of genitourinary and
venereal diseases. Bark—juice is
taken as purgative; pounded with
water is applied in orchitis, and
for dressing ulcers. Root bark—
antibacterial, used for indolent
ulcers. Leaf—used in vertigo and
migraine, also for chicken pox, skin
inflammations, scabies, sunburn.
Flowers and stamens—used as
a substitute for Naagakesara (Mesua
ferrea Linn.)
The root bark and heartwood contain
xanthones. The xanthones exhibited
anti-inflammatory activity in rats
against carrageenan-induce oedema;
also CNS depressant activity. Jacareubin
and 6-deoxy derivatives exhibited
antiulcer activity in rats.
Calophyllolide, a complex 5-Phcoumarin
isolated from nuts, showed
antiarrhythmic (as effective as quinidine),
bradycardiac coronary dilator,
and anticoagulant, also anti-inflammatory
and antiarthritic activity.
Dosage ◮ Leaf, flower, bark—3–5 g
powder; 50–100 ml decoction.
(CCRAS.)
Calotropis gigantea
(Linn.) R.Br. ex.Ait.
Family ◮ Asclepiadaceae.
Habitat ◮ Throughout India.
English ◮ Madar (white-flowered),
Giant Milk-weed.
Ayurvedic ◮ Alarka, Raajaarka,
Shvetaarka, Vasuka, Mandaar,
Bhaasvanmuula, Dinesh, Prabhaakara,
Ravi, Bhaanu, Tapana.
Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br. 113
Unani ◮ Madaar, Aak.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Erukku.
Action ◮ Flowers—stomachic,
bechic, antiasthmatic. Milky juice—
purgative (gastrointestinal irritant).
Roots—used in lupus, tuberculous
leprosy, syphilitic ulceration.
Leaves—juice poisonous. Used in
external swellings. All parts—used
against bronchitis and asthma.
The leaf extract showed antitussive
activity due to the presence of alkaloids
and glycosides. The root contains glycosides
0.60–1.42% on dry basis. The
latex contains akudarin. Flowers contain
beta-amyrin and stigmasterol.
Dosage ◮ Milky juice—500 mg; leaf,
flower, root bark—3–5 g powder.
(CCRAS.)
Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br.
Family ◮ Asclepiadaceae.
Habitat ◮ An evergreen shrub
distributed in West and Central
India.
English ◮ Swallow-Wart, Milk Weed,
(purple-flowered), King’s Crown.
Ayurvedic ◮ Alarka, Surya, Suuryaahvya,
Vikirna, Vasuka,
Tapana, Tuulaphala, Kshirparna,
Arkaparna, Aasphota.
Unani ◮ Aakh, Madaar, Ashar.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Vellerukku, Erukku.
Action ◮ The plant is used against
bronchial asthma (especially flowers
with black pepper). Leaves—used
for treating chronic cases of
C