Herb × Condition

Madar for Skin Disorders

Sanskrit: रक्तार्क | Calotropis gigantea (Linn.) R.Br. ex Ait.

How Madar helps with Skin Disorders according to Ayurveda. Classical references, dosage, preparation methods, and what modern research says.

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Overview

Madar is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for skin disorders. Alarka (Calotropis gigantea) is the purple/red-flowered variety of Madar. It grows up to 4-10 feet height with thick fleshy leaves. This species is considered equivalent in properties to Calotropis procera but is more commonly found in the Himalayan foothills and southern India. It is distinguished by its purple-red flowers compared to the white flowers of C. procera.

How Madar Helps with Skin Disorders

According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Madar has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing skin disorders:

  • Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
  • Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
  • Taste (Rasa): Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter)
  • Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)

Other Herbs for Skin Disorders

⟶
Acacia Acacia concinna DC.
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Agarwood Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.
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Alexandrian Laurel Ochrocarpus longifolius Benth. & Hook. f.; Calophyllum inophyllum Linn.
⟶
Aloe Vera Aloe barbadensis Mill. (Syn. A. vera Tourn. ex Linn.)
⟶
Alum Potash Alum
⟶
Amla Emblica officinalis
⟶
Annatto Bixa orellana Linn.
⟶
Apamarga Achyranthes aspera Linn.

See all herbs for skin disorders on the Skin Disorders page.

▶ Classical Text References (3 sources)
  • Kushtha (skin diseases)
  • Visha (poisoning)
  • Krimi (worms)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3

Musika-alarka visa pratisedha (treatment of poison of mouse, rabid, dog etc.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Ayushkameeya Adhyaya

Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Ayushkameeya Adhyaya

A compound of pasted sesamum mixed with its oil, treacle and the (milky) juice of a Rupika plant eliminates the poison of a rabid dog (Alarka) from the system as a gale of wind drives a pack of clouds before it.

— Sushruta Samhita, Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 6: Mushika-Kalpa

A compound of pasted sesamum mixed with its oil, treacle and the (milky) juice of a Rupika plant eliminates the poison of a rabid dog (Alarka) from the system as a gale of wind drives a pack of clouds before it.

— Sushruta Samhita, Mushika-Kalpa

Source: Sushruta Samhita, Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 6: Mushika-Kalpa; Mushika-Kalpa

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.