What are the benefits of Aak plant
Aak plant has many benefits and that is why it is been used in Ayurvedic treatment since long time. It is well known for its benefits in problems like asthma, piles, jaundice ,skin problems and worms infestation. In this article we will dive deep into unlocking the numerous benefits that aak plant gives.
Latin Name: Calatropis gigantea/ Caltropis procera
Vernacular Names:
- Hindi: Aak, Madar, Akavan
- Bengali: Aakand
- Tamil: Pellerukku, Erukku
- Telugu: Jilledu, Madaram
- Kannada: thhake,mandaryyake
- Malayalam: Omam
- Marathi: Rui,
- Gujarati: Aakdo
- Punjabi: Ak
- Pharsi : Khurkh
- English : Gigantic Swallow wart
Sanskrit Name: Arka , Toolaphala, Ksheepana, Arkaparna, Vikirana, pratap, Talaphala, Rakthpuspa, Alarka, Mandara, Saapushpa.
Aak plant benefits & Ayurvedic Description
Aak plants are found all over India and is also very famous. The leaves of this plant are thick and wide. Leaves are used for external application to relieve swelling. The plant also bears flowers and fruits. The fruits contain silk like cotton inside it. The flowers are purplish white in color.
Ras ( Taste)
- Katu ( Pungent)
- Tikta (Bitter)
Veerya ( Potency)
- Ushna (Hot)
Vipaak ( Post-digestive effect)
- Katu (Pungent)
Guna ( Qualities)
- Laghu (Lightness)
- Rooksha (Dry)
- Teekshna ( Piercing)
Classical Categorization
In Ayurveda Charak acharya has classified Aak plant in group of herbs that help to induce
Vommiting – Vamanopaga.
Sweating – Swed0paga
Piercing – Bhedaniya
Sushrut – Arakadi gana and Adhobhaghar( group)
Vaghbhat- Arakadi gana ( group)
Bhav prakash Nighantu- Guduchaydi Varga( group of herbs)
Benefits of Aak plant
Relieve Asthma and other respiratory problems
One of the major health benefits of aak is that its flower can reduce the symptoms of asthma and other respiratory disorders like cough and cold. You can get relief from many respiratory problems by consuming the dried flowers of Aak regularly.
To Manage Diabetes
Aak can also be beneficial in managing diabetes It is known to control the levels of blood sugar and aids in maintaining diabetes. A study that was published in the National Library of Medicine has also shown its effectiveness in treating diabetes. This is a common ingredient in various Ayurvedic products and herbal teas because of its hypoglycemic effect.
The chloroform extracts from the leaves and flowers of aak or Calotropis gigantean have significant anti-diabetic activity.
In Skin problems
The milk from Aak plants is also known to have great benefits. Many skin problems can be relieved by using Aak. It has anti-fungal properties and can offer relief from ringworm infection, sores and boils. Apart from this, skin rashes and blemishes can also be removed by using milk (latex) of Aak.
Aak plant benefits in liver disoders
Aak is beneficial in treating ascites and some other liver disorders. This also exhibits hepatoprotective property that eliminates damaged liver cells, while protecting the healthy cells.
In Insect bites
Aak can be useful in treating animal bites. This is because of its anti-poison effect, aak can be used to treat animal bites like the bites of the scorpion, snakes, and many insect bites.
Advantages of Aak plant in Ayurveda
Vatahrut : Helps in balancing Vata dosha
Sara: Eases bowel movement
Deepaniya: Improves digestive fire (Agni)
Shophahar : helps to relieve inflammation.
Vranahar : Useful in healing of wound faster .
Krumihar : Useful in worm infestation, infected wound .
Kanduhar : Helps to relieve itching.
Kushthar : Useful in skin probelms
Pleehahar : Useful in speelnomegaly.
Ark Ksheer (Milk) medicinal benefits
The milk (latex) of calotropis plant is used for inducing Vomitting ( Vaman) and purgation (Virechan).
It is useful in Skin diseases to relieve ithching. In addition to this it also helps in disolving the tumours as well as in treatment of ascites.
Madar Flowers medicinal benefits
The flowers of this plant are Vrushya means act as aphrodisiac and are light to digest (Laghu). They help to improve digestion because of its deepan and pachan ( carminative) quality. It is also useful in anorexia and treating piles( hemorrhoids). In addition to this the flowers are useful in respiratory disorder like cough and asthma .
The red color flowers are sweet ,bitter in taste and are useful in skin diseases. Along with this the red flowers are also useful in worm infestation, piles, diarrhea, abdominal tumour and bleeding disorders. It helps in Kapha dosha balancing.
Chemical composition
The constituents of the aak plants are laurune, sacchorose,B-amyrin, calotropeols, holorrhetine, cynolins-3 rhammoglucoside,taraxsterol, isovalerate,giganteol, calotroposide,calactin, calotoxin, calotrophins, gigantin.
How to use aak plant
Aak plant can be consumed in various forms, including:
- Aak leaves: They are useful for external application to relieve pain and swelling.
- Decoction form: This is prepared by boiling the flowers ,fruits,roots of aak plant in water, useful for digestive or respiratory issues. 15 to 20 ml two times a day
- Ark ksheer : It is good for external application and also in internal use.
- Part Used : Fruits, Flowers, Roots, Leaves
Anti dote for overdose
1.Leaves of neelini – Indigofera tinctoria are crushed and juice is extracted. It is administered in a dose of 10 ml two times a day.
2. Leaves of tamarind are crushed & juice is extracted. 15 ml juice and 15 ml water mixed together and taken 2 times daily.
Home Remedies of Aak Plant
For Asthma & Cough : Take 2 -3 leaves of Aak plant and crush it. Take fresh juice from it. Take this juice 1oml in morning empty stomach. This will induce 1 to 2 episode of vomiting and provide relief from Asthma.
For Pigmentation on face: Take milk of aak plant and add turmeric to it and mix it. Apply this on the pigmented part of the face.
To Relieve pain in joints : Decoction prepared with aak roots, devdar,rasna, nirgundi, vacha,pippali, sonth ativisha helps in relieving vata dosha and gives relief from pain in joints and muscle.
In Piles : Take ark leaves and burn it. Now the pile mass is exposed to the fumes generated by burning the leaves. This fumigation helps to relieve pain, itching and size of pile mass.
Cautions And Contraindications
While aak plant has many benefits and is generally safe, however excess consumption may cause
The milk that drains from the leaves of the Aak plant is poisonous. So, do not let it enter your eyes, else it might damage your eyesight. Moreover taking more dosage Of Aak can also cause serious complications. So, it should be used with appropriate concern and only after consulting with experienced Ayurveda doctor.
Pregnant or lactating women should avoid this plant.
Those on medications for other health probelms should consult a healthcare professional before use.
Aak plant spiritual benefits
Aak plants flowers and leaves have been used in puja in Indian culture. The flowers are offered to lord hanuman and lord shiva. Where as the leaves are used for garlanding Lord Ganesha.
In addition to it the white flowers which are very rarely found have been used in tantrik karma to take away evil spirits.
While preparing the Kshar-sutra an medicated thread used in treatment of piles and fistula , the latex of this plant is used.
Frequently asked question
1.Can this herb be used while taking homeopathic medicine ?
Yes. This herb does not react with homeopathic medicine.
2.Can this herb/medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin, omega 3, spirulina ?
Yes .Generally this herb goes well with most dietary supplement. However if you are taking more than one product per day please consult your doctor for opinion.
3. With western/modern medicine
Seek your doctors advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic/modern) medicine. Some ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
When taking ayurvedic medicine or herb with modern medicine it is best to keep one hour gap in between both the medicine.
4. How long does Aak plant take to start showing result ?
It depend on any existing disease, overall health, your prakriti ( genetic make up) all these factors plays a role in how quickly aak plant shows benefits.
5.Can it be used in people with diabetes?
Yes. But always keep watch on your sugar levels. This herb can lower your blood sugar levels. Do not stop your diabetes medicine once you start taking this herb/medicine. Keep in touch with your ayurvedic doctor. They will guide you in this respect.
6.Are there any diet restriction( Pathya) while taking this seeds ?
No .There are no such restriction while taking this product. However if you have been advised with any specific diet based on disease, you should continue to follow it.
Ayurvedic medicine that contains Aak
Aak plant and its part is main ingredients in following medicines
Ardraka ghrita : It is one of the ayurvedic medicine which is used to treat indigestion and chronic diarrhea.
Arkadi kwath: Useful in treatment of backpain, stiffness, cough and cold.
Asanadi kwath : This is very useful management of diabetes and obesity.
Conclusion
Aak is a wonderful medicinal plant. However, its health benefits and uses are still not well known to the general mass. So, it is the right time to understand the potentiality of this plant and start using it for the betterment of our health. However, precautions should always be maintained before using it.
Please consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
This Article is written by Dr. Ashutosh Tiwari B.A.M.S, PGDCR Director of Risha’s Health And Ayurvedaa Solutions.He is having more than 20 years of experience in field of Ayurvedic medicine.
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Disclaimer :The content provided here is for informational purpose only. This blog is not intended to substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek medical advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any questions or concern you may have regarding a medical conditions.
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