Benefits and uses of aak plant

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Aak (Calotropis gigantea)
chandigarhayurvedcentre.com/blog/aak-calotropis-gi
gantea/ By Karanvir Singh
Aak is a plant that is mostly found in Africa,
Asia, and China and is known for its various
medicinal properties. In India, it is called a
sacred plant and is used in sun-worshipping
ceremonies. It has two varieties in which one
blooms white flowers and the other blooms
pinkish-white flowers. Its juice is highly
poisonous but has been in Ayurveda for many ages
for treating various chronic diseases. But its
formulation needs great care and experience. Its
roots, leaves, flowers, milky fluid, and wood are
very useful. Name in different
languages English Name Crown flower, Gaint
Milkweed crown, Madar Hindi Name Akavan,
Madara, Aak Marathi Name Akamadar/Rui Gujarati
Name Akado, Akad Punjabi Name Ak Telugu Name
Mandaram, Jilledu Parsi Name Kharak Arab name
Ushar Tamil Name Erukku, Pellerukku Sanskrit
name Arka- It means the sun rays and is strong,
hot, and pungent in nature. Vikirana- Its
pollination is by air Toolaphala- Its fruit has
ridges
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Asphota- The fruit gets burst and
open Ksheeraparna- Leaves yield milk as a
latex Talaphala, Arkaparna, Asphota, Vikirana,
Mandara, Alarka, and Saapuspa. Categories
according to Acharyas Charak Svedopaga,
Bedaniya, and Vamonopaga Sushruta Adhobhagahara
and Arkadi Vagbhata Arkadi Medicinal
Properties Rasa (taste) Tikta (bitter) and
Katu (pungent) Guna (Qualities) Ruksha (dry),
Teekshana and Laghu (light) Veerya (Potency)
Ushna Vipaka Katu (undergoes pungent taste
after digestion) Effect on Tridosha It mainly
balances Vata and Kapha dosha What are its
medicinal uses? Its latex is useful in Vamana
(vomiting therapy) and virechana (purgation
therapy) to include vomit ad purgation. Gulmahara
- Used in abdominal bloating and tumors
Kushtahara- Treats skin-related
issues Udarahara- It is useful in
ascites Krimihara- Treats intestinal worm
infestation Deepana- Increases appetite Sara-
Proper bowel movements Kanduhara- Treats
itching Pleehahara- Useful in sleep-related
issues Shophahara- Acts as an anti-inflammatory
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This herb is used as a laxative (in constipation)
and also useful in cough and cold Other
uses Gastritis A medicine called Arka Lavana
which is prepared from the leaves of arak that
are processed with Saindhava Lavana (salt). This
formulation is widely used in treating gastritis
and apply its latex is used in relieving
toothache. Snakebite It has been used since
ancient times in snake bite. Its latex was
applied over the wound and its leaves were
chewed. Benefits of aak plant Every part of
the plant is medicine and every part is
useful. Benefits of aak leaves for
inflammation Since ancient times, leaves of Aak
have been used to remove inflammation of the
body. Apply oil on the smooth surface of the
leaves (ventral side), heat them, and apply to
the swelling affected part of the body. If this
treatment is used regularly for 5 to 6 days it
definitely helps reduce inflammation. Benefits
of aak flower to cure asthma Grind dried flowers
of aak and make powder then mix a little bit of
rock salt in it. You can eat this mixture like
this or else you can drink this mixture with warm
water as well. You can get relief from Asthma,
cough, cold, etc. by using Aak flowers. Benefits
of aak milk for skin Its milk is very beneficial
in skin-related disorders. Using this milk you
can overcome various types of skin problems for
sure. Apply this milk on the affected areas of
skin and useful in ringworm, boils or sores. The
antioxidants present in it are helpful in healing
skin problems. Benefits of aak Cure
digestion If you have stomach related problems
then it is a very beneficial plant as it treats
abdominal tumors, abdominal bloating, acidity,
and constipation. Aak leaves to relieve
deafness Administered a few drops of its leaves
juice into the ear which treats deafness of the
ear. But consult your doctor before doing this
as ears come in sensitive organs. Benefits of
aak Cure Diabetes
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Keep its leaves under the feet every morning and
wear socks. Remove these leaves before sleeping
at night that are useful to control sugar. Along
with its useful medicinal properties, it also has
a poisonous tendency. If you are using this
plant or its formulation for a particular disease
then you should contact your doctor before using
it. Its high intake results in vomiting,
diarrhea, slow heart rate, convulsions, and even
death. So use it with caution because it is a
very poisonous plant. Pregnant women and
breastfeeding women should avoid it. Part
used Flowers, latex, leaf, seeds and root
bark Dosage Root bark powder 0.5 to 1 gm
Flower powder 1 to 2 gm Fatal dose More than
500 mg Share on WhatsApp