Calotropis Gigantea (Arka)

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Arka is a well-known medicinal plant in India. In Sanskrit, Arka means "radiance of the sun". It’s called Madaar in Hindi, Vellai Erukku in Tamil, and Giant Milkweed or Swallow Wort in English.

The plant produces a milky white sap, so it’s often called a Milkweed plant. It has many regional names like Akda, Alarka, Mandaramu, and Surya Pattra across India.

Scientific Name: Calotropis gigantea
Family: Apocynaceae / Asclepiadaceae

Plant Description:

• A small to medium-sized shrub growing up to 3-5 meters tall.

• It has thick branches and large, oval, whitish-green leaves.

• Flowers grow in clusters and are either purple or white.

  • The white flowers are called Alarka or Swetark and are considered more valuable in Ayurveda.

• Each flower has five petals and a small crown-like structure at the center.

• The plant’s fruits are small and green, filled with seeds covered in white woolly fluff.

• Found mostly in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.

• Commonly grows on dry, barren land.

Medicinal Properties:

In Ayurveda, different parts of Arka are used for various treatments. It is known for its:

• Bitter and pungent taste

• Hot potency (Ushna)

• Light, dry, and sharp characteristics

It’s considered useful for:

• Breaking accumulations (like fluid build-up)

• Supporting sweating therapy

• Assisting in vomiting therapy

Uses of Different Parts:

Root & Root Bark:

• Acts as a fever reducer, deworming agent, detoxifier, expectorant, and laxative.

• Dried root powder is used for asthma, bronchitis, and indigestion.

• Very effective for syphilis and skin problems when mixed with honey.

• Treats oedema (swelling) when combined with Triphala and honey.

• Helpful for ascites (fluid build-up in the abdomen), piles, and liver problems.

Leaves:

• Used for paralysis, joint pain, swelling, fevers, and filariasis (a parasitic disease).

• Warm leaves coated with mustard oil are placed on painful joints.

• Powdered leaves can speed up wound healing.

• Latex from leaves treats corns and skin depigmentation.

• Toxic to animals and should not be eaten.

Latex (Milky Sap):

• Contains cardiac glycosides and fatty acids.

• Treats skin problems, hair loss, and baldness.

• Used in traditional medicine for piles, toothaches, arthritis, and snake or insect bites.

• Known for its strong laxative effect and is useful for ascites treatment.

Flowers:

• Bitter and astringent in taste.

• Help in digestion, as a tonic, and for deworming.

• White flowers balance Kapha and Vata doshas, while purple ones treat Kapha and Pitta doshas.

• Used to treat leprosy, asthma, cough, and elephantiasis.

Medicinal Oil (Arka Tailam):

• Made from the Arka plant, this oil is effective for:

  • Eczema

  • Skin diseases

  • Snake and insect bites

  • Arthritis pain and swelling

  • Scalp ringworms

  • Deafness treatment

Summary:

Arka is a powerful plant with a rich history in Ayurveda. Every part — from the root to the flowers — is packed with medicinal properties. It’s widely used to treat skin problems, fevers, respiratory issues, joint pains, and more.