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State Medicinal Plants Board (SMPB) Kerala

Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dryand.

  • Family: Apocynaceae
  • Vernacular names: Erikku, Yerikku, എരുക്ക് (Malayalam), Giant Calotrope, Milkweed (English), Mandara (Sanskrit), Akand (Hindi), Erukku (Tamil)
  • Distribution: Tropical Asia
  • Description: Shrubs, stem terete. Leaves smaller in branchlets; elliptic-ovate to obovate, apex acute or obtuse, base cordate. Flowers pale purple or greenish-white. Fruit saccate, to 6 x 3 cm, ovoid; seeds many.
  • Habit: Shrub
  • Habitat: Wastelands
  • Flowering & Fruiting: Throughout the year

  • Parts used: Root, bark, leaves, flowers and latex
  • Properties & Uses: Anti-rheumatic and anti-microbial. The roasted leaves are used in external swelling and joint pains. The powdered leaves are used for the fast healing of wounds and toothache. The powdered root bark is used to treat ulcers, diarrhea, dysentery, asthma and fever.
  • Systems of Medicines: Ayurveda, Folk, Unani, Homeo,
  • Traditional Uses:The roasted leaves are applied on swellings and inflammation. Powdered leaves applied on wounds for fast healing.
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