Botanical Index No. 448

Giant Milkweed

calotropis gigantea

Medicinal Actions

Alexeteric, Alterative, Analgesic, Antiinflammatory, Antispasmodic, Antitumor, Cardiotonic, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Emetic, Expectorant, Gastrotonic, Laxative, Proteolytic, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic, Uterotonic, Elephantiasis

Primary Conditions Treated

Bitter Depilatory Nervine Rubefacient Vermifuge Anasarca Anorexia Aphtha Arthrosis Ascites Asthma Bite Bronchosis Cachexia Cancer abdomen skin Catarrh Cold Constipation Convulsion Cough Cramp Dermatosis Diarrhea Dropsy Dysentery Dyspepsia Enterosis Epididymosis Epilepsy Fever Gonorrhea Hemorrhoid Hepatosis Hysteria Inflammation Leprosy Leukoderma Malaria Obesity Pain Paralysis Pharyngosis Phthisis Rheumatism Rhinosis Ringworm Scabies Snakebite Sore Splenosis Stomatosis Swelling Syphilis Toothache Tumor VD Vomiting Wart Worm Wound

General Dosage

200–600 mg bark as a diaphoretic and expectorant, 2–4 g as emetic.

Safety & Contraindications

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects — Not covered. “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages”. Dangerous plant. Very high doses may cause death, following bradycardia, convulsion, diarrhea, and vomiting. Perkins and Payne note convulsions, diarrhea, vomiting, slowed but stronger heartbeat, labored respiration, increased blood pressure, and possible death. Traditional use in India may cause severe bullous dermatosis, leading occasionally to hypertropic scars. Calotropine effective in vitro against epidermoid tissue cultures of the rhinopharynx.

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