Calotropis gigantea, Erikku, Yerikku, Giant Calotrope, Milkweed, എരുക്ക്

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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