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)
Safety & Precautions
Madar is not a gentle herb. Classical Ayurvedic pharmacy groups the Calotropis plants among the sub-poisons (Upavisha), substances that are useful in skilled hands but harmful when misused. Its sharp, heating, drying properties point the same way.
Key Cautions
- Do not take any part of the plant internally without the direct supervision of a qualified Ayurvedic physician.
- The plant has a milky sap; keep it away from your eyes, mouth and broken skin, and wash your hands after touching the plant.
- Do not use it to treat a suspected poisoning or animal bite. Seek emergency medical care.
- Buy only from reputable sources if a practitioner prescribes it, since identification of Calotropis varieties is easily confused.
What Our Sources Do Not Cover
The texts we draw on give no dose, overdose signs, drug interactions or guidance for pregnancy, nursing or children. With a plant of this strength, that silence is a reason for more caution, not less.
If you think someone has swallowed Madar or got its sap in their eyes, contact a poison control centre or emergency services straight away.
Other Herbs for Skin Disorders
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.