Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: Herbal medicines have been used from the earliest times to the present day. The ethnobotanical pharmacology is as old as man himself. Herbal medicines exhibit a remarkable therapeutic diversity. Calotropis procera Linn. is an Ayurvedic plant which is used in several traditional medicines to treat a variety of diseases. The extracts from different parts of the plant have significant therapeutic value. The whole plant when dried exhibits good tonic, antihelmintic and expectorant activities. The roots also have similar activities and also ac as an effective laxative. Traditionally, the powdered rot is used to treat bronchitis, asthma, leprosy, eczema, elephantiasis while the latex s used to, treat vertigo, baldness, hair loss, toothache, intermittent fevers, rheumatoid/joint swellings, and paralysis, The leaves are usedto treat joint pain, and reduce swelling. Besides its Ayurvedic use, Calotropis is also used as a homeopathic medicine. In ancient Ayurvedic medicine the plant Calotropis procera was known as “Rakta arka”. The pungent latex extracted from the leaves and flowers of Calotropis procera is processed and used in the commercial preparation of eye tonics.

Key words: Ayurveda, pharmacological action, phytochemistry, calotropis procera Linn.