Dicussion on Arka of India

Posted by: "Shirish Bhate" shirishbhate@yahoo.com shirishbhate
Date: Thu Jan 3, 2008 9:39 pm ((PST))

You mention that there are a few leaves better than bettle leaves. Which are these?

Next to bettle leaves, maximum used leaves are those from Indian Madar plant, also known as Arka. The plant grows mainly in tropical countries as it needs much sunlight to derive its medicine magic. It can survive in very little water. Latin name is Calotropis Gigantea. Names of this plant in many Indian languages can be read at
http://encyclopedia.frlht.org.in/index.php?plantid=409&calledFrom=VIEW_ALL_SPECIES&sortBy=E&gPAGE_NO=16&gLOWER_LIMIT=300

{copy and paste this link in browser window piece by piece for successful access).

It is a special kind of plant. It is poisonous. Its leaves are not eaten even by animals. Even then its full of mystic and medicinal qualities. In Ayurveda, it is described as a life-giving plant. The leaves, flowers and bark of Madar plants are very dear to Gods but the plant of Madar is not offered like other plants. Lord Shiva, The greatest among Gods, accepted it with much love. The leaves are offered to Lord Siva and Lord Hanuman, a celibate God.

Generally, Madar plant with purple colored flowers are found everywhere in tropical countries and it is used as medicine. Madar plant bearing white flowers is very rare and is called Swetark. It is believed that one who finds this plant is very fortunate to have Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva's blessings, believed to brings prosperity. It acts as a protector also. Lord Ganesha lives in the roots of this swetark plant. Lord Ganesha is believed to take seat in Muladhar Chakra. Hence roots of this plant are held in hands by a woman undergoing childbirth, so that birth occurs with less pain and safely. This practice is followed by many tribals in India.

The leaves and stem of this plant yield milk like latex. (Hence the name milkweed) Caltropain is a protein derived from this latex and latin name is derived from this protein. A few drops the latex are taken with a piece of sweet (kown as "Batasa" in Maharashtra) they help as pain killer if suffering from arthritis. The latex is also used in making the fiber used in Kshar Sutra treatment for piles. This is inexpensive and effective treatment from ayurveda.

Take warm mustard oil, spread it over leaf of this plant and foment the paining joint by spreading the leaf over the joint and keeping it there for a few hours for arthritis relief. Faster result occurs if electric pad is fitted snuggly over the leaf and fomentation in low heat mode is applied. When beetle leaves are not available, the leaf of madar can be used for fomentation in this manner on pelvic area for relief from fibroids. On breast area if there is soreness due to milk stagnation. In this way, it can be seen that Madar helps ladies to a maximum. No surprise as Lord Siva is worshipped maximum by ladies in Indian culture.

Many other medical uses of this plant in ayurveda, homeopathy and allopathy are given at
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/CropFactSheets/calotropis.html