Alark

ALARK
BOTANICAL NAME CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA

FAMILY ASCLEPIADACEAE

OTHER NAMES
 SANSKRIT » Aditya, Aharbandhava, Aharmani, Aharpati, Alarka, Arka, Arkah, Arkavrikshaha, Aryama, Asphotaka, Bhanu, Bhaskara, Buka, Divakar, Ganarupa, Haridashva, Himarati, Jambhala, Kharjjughna, Kirtanuphala, Kshiradala, Kshirakandaka, Kshiranga, Kshiraparni, Mandara, Prabhakara, Pratapa, Pratapasa, Puchhi, Ravi, Rupika, Sadapushpa, Sadapuspi, Sadapyshpa, Sadasuma, Saptashva, Savita, Shitapushpaka, Shukaphala, Sukaphala, Sunu, Suryapattra, Suryavgha, Svaytaurkum, Tapana, Tulaphala, Ushnarashmi, Vasuka, Vibhakara, Vibhavasu, Vikorana, Vikshira, Vivasvana, Vivaswana
 HINDI » Ag, Akan, Ark, Lalak, Lalmadar, Madar, Mudhar, Safedak, Akond or akan, Mudar, Ak, Akond, Aak, Mandara, Safed aak, Moto aak, Aakdo, Shiy-aak, Akro, Moto-aak, Safed-akra
 URDU » Madar (aak), Shri madar, Gul madar, Akh ke phool, Roghan gul akh, Burg akh taza, Gule akh taza, Ab shir madar, Shir madar
 BENGALI » Yercum, Wara
 MARATHI » Akanda, Ahauna
 ASSAMESE » Aka, Arka, Akanak, Rui, Ruvi, Akda, Akra, Akanda, Akdachajhada, Lalakava, Lalmadar, Lalrui, Muda, Dhavi rui
 KANNADA » Akom, Akan
 MALYALAM » Arka, Ekka, Ekkemale, Mandara, Yekkadaguda, Bili ekkada gida, Mandaara, Ekkamale, Yekkada gida, Akarai, Ake, Ekkai, Ekke, Yekkada
 MANIPURI » Bukam, Dinesam, Ericu, Erikka, Erikku, Erukku, Vellerikku, Yerriku, Belerica, Belericu, Eri, Vellaarike, Yerica, Yerika, Yerrikku
 ORIYA » Angkot
 TAMIL » Vung-damdawi, Arkagatch
 TELGU » Ahgaram, Alagar, Arkkam, Aruchunam, Arukkam, Arulagam, Erukkam, Erukku, Mirugusayidagam, Nubam, Eruku, Erukkam ver, Erukkampal, Arukkan, Erukkan, Vellerukkam poo, Badabadam

DESCRIPTION 
Erect, much branched shrubs, 1-5 m high. Leaves fleshy, cuneate-obovate or obovate-oblong, with a narrow cordate or often amplexicaul base, smooth above, cottony below. Flowers lilac, pale rose or purple, rarely light greenish yellow or white, in simple or compound cymose-corymbs.

DISTRIBUTION 
This species is probably native to Indian Subcontinent, globally distributed from Africa to Indo-Malesia. Within India, it is found growing up to an altitude of 900 metres throughout including the Andamans. It occurs in open habitats.

CULTIVATION
It can be easily grown from seeds, and root and shoot cuttings. It grows well in most types of soil, sometimes even where nothing will grow, such as sandy barren grounds, but grows easily on rubbish heaps, waste lands etc.

PART (S) USED ROOT, KSHIR, FLOWER, LEAF

DOSE Root churna 1/2 - 1 gm, Kshir 1/4 - 3/4 gm, Flower 1 - 3 gm

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS Akundarin, Calotopin, Uscharin, Calotoxin, Calactin, Calotropeols, Gigantin, Glutathione, Papain, Giganteol, Isogiganteol, Mudarine, Asclepin, Phytosterols, Teraxasteryl acetate

PHYSICAL CONSTITUENTS Ash value 19.85 %, Acid insoluble ash 10.20 %, Water soluble extractive 11.74 %, Alcohol soluble extractive 10.28 %, Acetone 7.72 %, Chloroform 8.80 %

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
 Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshan
 Katu, Tikt
 Katu
 Ushan
 Tikshan-virechan

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION
Antiimplantation, Antiinflammatory, Anticancer, Spasmolytic

THERAPEUTIC USES Purgative
 Abdominal disorders
 Skin disease
 Micturitive

FORMULATIONS (Yog)
Abhaya lavan
Mutravirechan kashay churna
Traikantak ghrita
Vastyamayantaka ghrita