Photo: Ranjith-chemmad / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Aak आक
Calotropis procera
Also known as: Aak Patra
Part used: Leaf
| Rasa (taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|---|---|
| Guna (qualities) | Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
| Virya (potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Pungent) |
| Dosha | Balances Kapha & Vata |
| Prabhava | Classical systemic action |
Key takeaways
- Botanical name: Calotropis procera
- Part used: Leaf
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Strictly as prescribed.
Aak in other languages
Introduction
Aak (Calotropis procera) is the small-flowered madar, a hardy shrub of dry Indian wasteland with grey-green leaves and a copious, acrid milky latex.
It is a Schedule E1 poisonous drug used only after Shodhana and only in classical preparations. Its uses are chiefly external — on the skin and on painful joints — and, in tiny processed doses, internally as an emetic and purgative.
Classification
Family Apocynaceae (Asclepiadoideae). Leaf, root bark, flower and latex are officinal, each requiring processing. Rasa: Katu, Tikta. Guna: Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna. Virya: Ushna. Vipaka: Katu. Doshaghnata: pacifies Kapha and Vata.
Uses & benefits
The warmed leaf is bound over painful, swollen joints — one of the commonest folk and classical applications. The processed latex is used in classical Rasa preparations as a Bhavana or Shodhana agent, and the root bark in measured doses for skin disease, worms and obstinate constipation. In this catalogue the leaf appears in Ekangveer Ras and Maha Vatvidhwansan Ras.
Aak leaf for joint pain
The classical external application: the leaf is warmed, smeared with oil and bound over a swollen, painful joint. This is external use only.
Aak in Rasa preparations
Its latex serves as a processing agent in classical mineral preparations, where it is used during manufacture rather than taken as a drug in its own right.
Dosage — how much to take
Strictly as prescribed. Internal use only in Shodhita form within classical compounds, in doses of milligrams. Externally, the warmed leaf applied locally.
Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm with a qualified Vaidya.
Traditional uses — questions answered from the classical texts
Answers are drawn from the citations and properties recorded for this drug. No chapter-and-verse reference appears that the record does not carry.
Which classical texts describe Aak?
The citations held for Aak in this catalogue are: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Guduchyadi Varga — Arka).
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Aak?
Katu-tikta rasa, ushna virya; upavisha requiring shodhana. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga — Arka.
What is Aak traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
The warmed leaf is bound over painful, swollen joints — one of the commonest folk and classical applications. The processed latex is used in classical Rasa preparations as a Bhavana or Shodhana agent, and the root bark in measured doses for skin disease, worms and obstinate constipation. In this catalogue the leaf appears in Ekangveer Ras and Maha Vatvidhwansan Ras.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Aak?
Rasa Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Virya Ushna (Hot), Vipaka Katu (Pungent). Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata. Prabhava: Classical systemic action.
Why is Aak classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Aak carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Aak is used medicinally?
The part used is Leaf.
How much Aak is taken, and how?
Strictly as prescribed. Internal use only in Shodhita form within classical compounds, in doses of milligrams. Externally, the warmed leaf applied locally. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Aak be avoided?
PRESCRIPTION ONLY — Schedule E1. The raw latex is a violent irritant: it blisters skin and causes serious, sometimes permanent, eye injury if it splashes into the eye. Wash immediately and seek medical help if that happens. Unprocessed plant material is cardiotoxic and has caused fatal poisoning. Never self-medicate; never take unprocessed material. Not for use in pregnancy, breastfeeding or children.
Where does Aak grow?
Abundant on dry wasteland, roadsides and overgrazed ground throughout the drier parts of India, tolerating poor soil and drought.
Classical references
- Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga — Arka
Katu-tikta rasa, ushna virya; upavisha requiring shodhana. - Rasa Tarangini — Upavisha Prakarana
Classified among the sub-poisons; purification procedures specified before use.
Safety & precautions
PRESCRIPTION ONLY — Schedule E1. The raw latex is a violent irritant: it blisters skin and causes serious, sometimes permanent, eye injury if it splashes into the eye. Wash immediately and seek medical help if that happens. Unprocessed plant material is cardiotoxic and has caused fatal poisoning. Never self-medicate; never take unprocessed material. Not for use in pregnancy, breastfeeding or children.
Where it grows
Abundant on dry wasteland, roadsides and overgrazed ground throughout the drier parts of India, tolerating poor soil and drought.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aak safe to use at home?
No. It is a Schedule E1 poisonous drug. The latex blisters skin and can blind if it reaches the eye, and unprocessed material is cardiotoxic. It is used only in properly processed classical preparations under a physician's direction.
What if the latex gets in the eye?
Wash the eye with clean running water immediately and get medical help the same day. Calotropis latex causes serious corneal injury and delayed treatment risks lasting damage.
