Calotropis
gigantea is a common wasteland
Calotropis grows wild up to 900 m on a variety of soils in different
climates, sometimes where nothing else grows
Flowers white to purple, rarely light green yellow or white. Flowers
not scented
Calotropis is used as a traditional medicinal plant.
Traditionally alotropis is used alone or with other plants to treat
common disease such as fevers, rheumatism, indigestion, cough, cold,
eczema, asthma, elephantiasis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea .
dried whole plant is a good tonic, expectorant, depurative, and
anthelmintic. The dried root bark is a substitute for ipecacuanha.
The root bark is febrifuge, anthelmintic, depurative, expectorant,
and laxative. The powdered root used in asthama, bronchitis, and
dyspepsia. The leaves are useful in the treatment of paralysis,
arthralegia, swellings, and intermittent fevers. The flowers are
bitter, digestive, astringent, stomachic, anthelmintic, and tonic .
Calotropis yields a durable fiber (commercially known as Bowstring
of India) useful for ropes, carpets, fishing nets, and sewing
thread. Floss, obtained from seeds, is used for stuffing purposes. |