Calotropis
OTHER NAME(S): Aak, Ak, Akada, Akanda, Alarka, Arbre de Satan, Arbre à Soie, Arbre à Soie du Sénégal, Arka, Dead Sea Apple, Madar Shrub, Mudar Bark, Muder Yercum, Sodom-Apple, Swallow-Wort, Ushaar, Vellerukku, Calotropis procera, Asclepias procera, Pommier De Sodome
Overview
Calotropis is a plant. People use the bark and root bark for medicine.
People use calotropis for conditions such as digestive disorders, toothache, cramps, joint pain, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using calotropis is unsafe, especially in high doses.
Calotropis contains chemicals that might help thin mucous and make it easier to cough up. In studies in animals, calotropis has shown some activity against pain, inflammation, bacteria, fever, and ulcers caused by alcohol and medications such as aspirin, indomethacin (Indocin), and others.
Calotropis contains chemicals that might help thin mucous and make it easier to cough up. In studies in animals, calotropis has shown some activity against pain, inflammation, bacteria, fever, and ulcers caused by alcohol and medications such as aspirin, indomethacin (Indocin), and others.
Uses
We currently have no information for Calotropis overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Calotropis is LIKELY UNSAFE, especially in high doses. It contains chemicals that can interfere with heart function. It can cause serious side effects including vomiting, diarrhea, slow heartbeat, convulsions, and death.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if calotropis is safe. It might cause an allergic reaction in some people.
When applied into the eye: There isn't enough reliable information to know if calotropis is safe. It can cause eye injury and vision loss if parts of the plant get into the eye.
When inhaled: There isn't enough reliable information to know if calotropis is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Calotropis is LIKELY UNSAFE, especially in high doses. It contains chemicals that can interfere with heart function. It can cause serious side effects including vomiting, diarrhea, slow heartbeat, convulsions, and death.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if calotropis is safe. It might cause an allergic reaction in some people.
When applied into the eye: There isn't enough reliable information to know if calotropis is safe. It can cause eye injury and vision loss if parts of the plant get into the eye.
When inhaled: There isn't enough reliable information to know if calotropis is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use calotropis when pregnant or breast-feeding. Avoid use.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Stimulant laxatives interacts with CalotropisCalotropis can affect the heart. The heart uses potassium. Laxatives called stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the chance of side effects from calotropis. Some stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl (Correctol, Dulcolax), cascara, castor oil (Purge), senna (Senokot), and others.
- Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with CalotropisCalotropis might affect the heart. "Water pills" can decrease potassium in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from calotropis. Some "water pills" that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide), and others.
- Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with CalotropisDigoxin (Lanoxin) helps the heart beat more strongly. Calotropis also seems to affect the heart. Taking calotropis along with digoxin can increase the effects of digoxin and increase the risk of side effects. Do not take calotropis if you are taking digoxin (Lanoxin) without talking to your healthcare professional.
- Lithium interacts with CalotropisCalotropis might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking calotropis might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of calotropis depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for calotropis. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Robbers JE, Speedie MK, Tyler VE. Pharmacognosy and Pharmacobiotechnology. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1996.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Osol and Farar. The Dispensatory of the United States of America. 25th ed. JB Lippincott Co., 1955.
- Mossa JS, Tariq M, Mohsin A, et al. Pharmacological studies on aerial parts of Calotropis procera. Am J Chin Med 1991;19:223-31.
- Kumar VL, Basu N. Anti-inflammatory activity of the latex of Calotropis procera. J Ethnopharmacol 1994;44:123-5.
- Mascolo N, Sharma R, Jain SC, et al. Ethnopharmacology of Calotropis procera flowers. J Ethnopharmacol 1988;22:211-21.
- Sen T, Basu A, Chaudhuri AK. Studies on the possible mechanism of the gastric mucosal protection by Calotropis procera - involvement of 5-lipoxygenase pathway. Fund Clin Pharmacol 1998;12:82-7.
- Al-Mezaine HS, Al-Rajhi AA, Al-Assiri A, Wagoner MD. Calotropis procera (ushaar) keratitis. Am J Ophthalmol. 2005 Jan;139(1):199-202.
- Al-Mezaine HS, Al-Amry MA, Al-Assiri A, et al. Corneal endothelial cytotoxicity of the Calotropis procera (ushaar) plant. Cornea. 2008 May;27(4):504-6.
- Basak SK, Bhaumik A, Mohanta A, Singhal P. Ocular toxicity by latex of Calotropis procera (Sodom apple). Indian J Ophthalmol. 2009 May-Jun;57(3):232-4.
- Biedner B, Rothkoff L, Witztum A. Calotropis procera (Sodom apple) latex keratoconjunctivitis. Isr J Med Sci. 1977 Sep;13(9):914-6.
- Handa F, Sadana JK, Sharma PK. Allergic contact dermatitis due to the plant Calotropis procera (Vern: AK). A case report. Indian J Dermatol. 1984 Jul;29(3):27-9.
- Awaad AA, Alkanhal HF, El-Meligy RM, et al. Anti-ulcerative colitis activity of Calotropis procera Linn. Saudi Pharm J 2018;26(1):75-78.
- Al-Taweel AM, Perveen S, Fawzy GA, et al. Evaluation of Antiulcer and Cytotoxic Potential of the Leaf, Flower, and Fruit Extracts of Calotropis procera and Isolation of a New Lignan Glycoside. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2017;2017:8086791.
- Garabadu D, Srivastava N, Murti Y. Calotropis procera attenuates chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression in experimental animals. Metab Brain Dis 2019;34(6):1635-1647.