Family Name: Asclepiadaceae
Botanical Name(s): Calotropis gigantea
Popular Name(s): Aka, Akado, Akanda, Khok, Madar, Mandara,
Mudar, Yercum
Parts Used: Root, root-bark, leaves and flowers
Habitat: Arka is widely found in India, Sri Lanka, Singapore,
Malay Islands and South China
Description: Arka grows up to 4 m in height and possesses
sessile leaves. The leaves are 10 cm in length and are 8 cm in width.
Its flowers are 14-15 mm long and 3- 4.5 cm in diameter. Its dried root
freed from its outer layer is called Mudar.
Uses: Arka has a number of beneficial properties. Its leaves and
branches are used in anesthesia, paralysis and toxic asthma. Its flowers
help in digestion. The flowers cure asthma too. The root bark of it has
mucilaginous and alterative action. The herb is used in leprosy,
syphilis, dysentery, epilepsy, hysteria, convulsions and paralysis.
