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This herb acts like digitalis on the heart.
The root-bark: mucilaginous, bitter, alterative (when used
at the rate of 3 to 10 grains thrice daily), tonic, antispasmodic,
diaphoretic, purgative, expectorant, and in large doses emetic
(when used at the rate of 30 to 60 grains/day).
This herb increases secretions (especially the evacuation
of bile) and has a sedative action on the muscular fibers
of the intestines, (especially the colon and the rectum),
allaying all pain, and irritation. It is thus very useful
for relieving all dysenteric symptoms. Useful for leprosy,
syphilis, dysentery and elephantiasis. Also useful in the
cure of epilepsy, hysteria, fits, convulsions and paralysis.
It is a great remedy for syphilitic affections. It is called
'vegetable mercury' because of this reputation.
The herb is useful for fevers because of its antiperiodic
and diaphoretic actions. Other uses include: bile secretion,
heart diseases (used like digitalis), parasitic infection,
difficult/painful urination, abdominal disorders, hemorrhoids,
and edema.
Flowers: digestive, stomachic, and tonic. When given internally
in small doses, it stimulates the capillaries and acts powerfully
upon the skin. Hence, it is useful for elephantiasis, and
leprosy. The flowers also has beneficial effect on asthma.
Juice: caustic, a purge for phlegm, depilatory, and the most
acrid of all milky juices. It has emetic, diaphoretic, alterative
and purgative properties.
Milky juice is a violent purgative and gastrointestinal irritant.
In India, it has been used illegally for inducing abortion
or causing the death of new-born infants, by forcing it down
the throat or applied locally, usually a stick smeared with
the juice is pushed up into the uterus and left there until
uterine contractions are induced. In some parts of India if
is also used as a cattle poison.
Leaves and branches : anesthesia, paralysis, resolvent, toxic
asthma.
All parts of the plant are considered to have valuable alterative
properties when taken in small doses.
Action and Uses in Ayurveda and Siddha
lndications: arsas, gulmam, kapodaram, kandu, kushtum, vishim,
vranam.
Red flowers: arsas, grahi, gulmam, kaphaharm, krimi, in kushtam,
madhura in raktapittam, rasam, sodam, tikta rasam.
Flowers: aphrodisiac, in aruchi, dipanim, kasam, lagu, pachanam,
swasam
Milk: lagu, snigdam, tikshnam, ushnam, virechanam, indication
in
kushtam.
Action and Uses in Unani
aches, antheimintic, balgham, caustic, dropsy, piles, skin
Other Uses
Arka is a main ingredient of Arka Tailam, an ayurvedic herbal
oil. This oil is useful in eczema and eruptive skin diseases.
It relieves the pain and burning in scorpion and insect bites.
It is used by women for removing hair from parts of body.
It is a useful local application for the relief of painful
joints and swellings, and for ringworm of the scalp.
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