Calotropis procera

Scientific name: Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br.

Family: Asclepiadaceae

Synonym: Asclepias procera Ait.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Chhoto akand, Shwet akand, Akanda.

Tribal name: Morow-kung (Rakhaing); Angar pata (Chakma); Chasaimoni, Morupru, Muruhur pang (Marma).

English name: Rooster tree.

Description of the plant: A large shrub, stem slightly woody and much branched at the base, young branches and leaves beneath covered with a white floccose tomentum. Leaves almost sessile, ovate-oblong, apex aciculate, base narrowly cordate, lamina thick, fleshy. Flowers white, in umbellate cymes. The large, waxy, white flowers have deep purple spots or blotches at the base of each of the five petals, and are grouped in clusters.

Plant parts used: Leaf.

Medicinal uses: Fomentation is given on the fractured bone for two weeks to treat it.

Decoction made from leaves of the plant is taken thrice a day (100 ml amount each time) for the treatment of diabetes.

Leaf decoction is taken thrice a day (100 ml amount each time) until the malaria is cured.

Fomentation with leaves of the plant after heated on fire is given on the affected area thrice a day for two weeks to treat rheumatism.

A poultice of the leaves is applied for the treatment of filariasis, wound, glandular swellings, eczema, and other skin inflammations.

Distribution: Rajshahi (Padma river bank), Barguna, Kustia, Patuakhali, Jessore and Noakhali in fallow lands.

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