Calotropis gigantea – Arka -Uses, Dose, Side Effects, Ayurveda Details

Calotropis gigantea is known as Arka in Sanskrit. It is widely used many Ayurvedic treatments, both externally (ksharasutra) and internally. It is a very common herb seen widely throughout India. It is called as Madar in English. Often, its another variety Calotropois procera is also used in the same name. 

Botanical Name– Calotropis Gigantea(Linn). R. Brown
Family –  Asclepiadaceae( Periplocaceae) – Arka Kula

Vernacular Names
Hindi Name- Madara, Akavan, Aak (latex of Arka is called Aak ki doodh)
English Name- Madar
Telugu Name- Jilledu, Mandaram
Bengali Name- Aakand
Marathi Name- Rui/ Akamadar
Gujarati Name- Akad, Akado
Tamil Name- Pellerukku, Erukku
Punjabi Name – Ak
Arab name – Ushar
Pharsi name – Kharak

Synonyms–
Arka – arka means Sun rays. This herb is as pungent, hot and strong as Sun rays.
Toolaphala – fruit has ridges
Ksheeraparna – leaves yield milk (latex)
Arkaparna – Parna means leaf. Leaves are strong, hot and pungent.
Vikirana – its pollination is by air (spreading)
Asphota – the fruit bursts open.
Alarka, Mandara. Saapuspa, Talaphala, Krsaparna, Arkaparna, Vikirana, Asphota.

Classical categorization–
Caraka – Bedaniya, Vamonopaga, Svedopaga
Susruta- Arkadi, Adhobhagahara
Vaghata- Arkadi

Major chemical constituents
Calotropis Gigantea– Laurane, Saccharose, B-amyrin; a&B calotropeols; holarrhetine, Cyanidin-3-rhamnoglucoside; Taraxsterol isovalerate; Giganteol; Calotroposide;Calactin, Calotoxin; Calotropins DI &DII, Gigantin etc.

Calotropis procera– A&B Amyrins, Cyanidin-3-Rhamnoglucoside, procesterol,  B-sitosterol, Calactin, Caotoxin, Calotropagenin, Calotropin, Calotropain, Proceroside, Proceragenin etc.
(Reference: Illustrated Dravyaguna VIjnana, Vol. II, by Dr JLN Shastry)

Arka – Medicinal Properties-
Rasa (taste) – Katu (pungent) Tikta (bitter)
Guna (qualities) – Laghu (lightness), Ruksha (dryness), Teekshna
Vipaka- Katu – Undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion.
Veerya – Ushna – hot potency
Effect on Tridosha – Because of its hot potency, it balances Vata and Kapha.
Red type's flower has bitter and sweet tate. Hence it balances Pitta and Kapha.

Medicinal uses of Calotropis gigantea –

Arka ksheera – The latex of Madar plant is used in Vamana (vomiting therapy) and Virechana (purgation therapy). It is capable of inducing vomiting and purgation.
Kushtahara – useful in skin diseases
Gulmahara – useful in abdominal tumors, bloating
Udarahara – used in the treatment of ascites.

Madar plant is
Vatahrut – balances Vata
Deepana – improves digestion
Sara – eases bowel movements.
Shophahara – anti inflammatory
Vranahara – brings about quick wound healing
Kanduhara – relieves itching
Kushtahara – useful in skin diseases
Pleehahara – useful in spleen disorders
Krumihara – useful in intestinal worm infestation

Madar flower –
Vrushya – acts as aphrodisiac
Laghu – light to digest
Deepana – improves digestion strength
Pachana – carminative
Arochaka – useful in anorexia
Praseka – excessive salivation
Arsha – hemorrhoids
Kasa shwasahara – useful in respiratory disorders – cough, asthma etc. It acts as a good expectorant.

Red coloured flowers –
Tikta Madhura – sweet, bitter in taste
Kushtahara – relieves skin diseases
Krumighna – useful in worm infestation
Kaphanashana – balances Kapha.
Arshahara – useful in hemorrhoids
Vishahara – anti toxic
Raktapitta – useful in bleeding disorders
Sangrahi – useful in diarrhoea
Gulma – useful in abdominal tumors, bloating
Shvayathuhara – anti inflammatory.

Root bark is useful in cough, cold and constipation. (acts as laxative).

Snake bites – In ancient times, for poisonous snake bite, its leaves were chewed and latex was applied over the wound.
Gastritis – Its leaves are processed with Saindhava salt to prepare a medicine called Arka Lavana, widely used in the treatment of gastritis.
Its latex is applied over the gums to relieve toothache.

Part used– Root bark, flowers, leaf, latex, seeds.

Dosage– Root bark, powder 0.5-1 g. flower power 1-2 g

Ayurvedic medicines prepared with Calotropis gigantea –
Ardraka Ghrita – used in indigestion and chronic diarrhoea
Arkadi Kashaya – used in cough, cold, backache with stiffness
Asanadi Kashaya – used in treating diabetes, obesity etc.

Side effects and precautions –
Over-dosage may cause diarrhoea and vomiting.
It is not safe to use in pregnancy or during lactation period.