Botanical name : Calotropis gigantea (Linn.) R.Br. (Blue variety)
Family : Asclepiadeceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Arka, Sooryahvaya,Vasuka, Ksheeraparni, Alarka, Asphoda,
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa    : Katu, Tikta
Guna   : Lakhu, Rooksha, Teekshna, Sara
Virya   : Ushna
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English :  Blue Madar
Hindi  :  Akavana, Aka, Mandara
Malayalam :  Neela Erukku
PLANT DESCRIPTION
Perennial shrub, growing up to 2.5 meters with branches and sub branches. Leaves are simple, opposite and sub-sessile, ovate, and cordate at base. Plant contains latex almost in all parts. Flowers beautiful, lilac, in umbellate lateral cymes. Fruits are fleshy follicles, green; seeds attached with abundant white coma.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES :
Plant pacifies vitiated tridoshas, skin diseases, joint inflammations, snake poison, asthma and chest infections and rabies. It is a strong purgative drug.
USEFUL PART : Root, Latex, Flower and Leaves