Arka.

ARKA.

Synonyms: - Kshiraparna, Raktapushpa, Shvetapushpa, Shvetarka, Raktarka, Madara, Akanda.

Latin name: - Calotrpis procera.

Family: - Asclepidaceae.

English: - Madarc.

Hindi: - Ak.

Marathi: - Ruie.

Varieties: - According to Bhava Prakash; Shveta and Rakta.

Calotropis gigantea. (Purple flowers)

Calotropis procera. (White flowers)

Classification: -

According to Ayurved: - Sthavar Vanaspatika Visha.

According to modern: - Vegetable Irritant poison.

General description: - 1) Plant is 4-8 feet long.

2) Leaves are 4-6 inch long, 1-3 inch wide, rectangular with smooth upper surface.

3) Flowers are white or purple with fragrance.

4) Fruits are 3 inches long, ½ inches wide.

5) Seeds are ½ inches long with black colour.

Poisonous part: - All parts specially Kshira;i.e.; milk latex.

Active principles: - Calotroppin, Calotoxen, Gigantin, Uscherine.

Fatal dose: - Uncertain.

Fatal period: - ½ - 24 hours.

Signs and symptoms: -1) When used in the form of snuff; powdered madarc root causes death immediately.

2) The juice locally acts as irritant causing redness, inflammation and vescication.

3) When dropped in eyes; causes irritation, conjunctivitis involving eyesight.

4) When taken by mouth, throat and abdomen; vomiting and diarrhea may be caused.

5) There are titanic convulsions and dilated pupils and collapse which may lead to the death.

Treatment: - General lines: -

1)    Stomach wash, demulcents, stimulants and other symptomatic treatment.

2)    If locally applied then wash with cold water and apply sesame oil + coconut oil.

3)    If dropped in eyes, then instill Home atropine.

4)    According to Ayurved; decoction of Palasha, Goghrita should be given.

Postmortem appearances: - 1) Signs of irritation of mouth and stomach.

2) Congestion of viscera.

Medicolegal aspect: - 1) Suicidal and homicidal poisoning are rare.

2) Accidental poisoning may occur due to therapeutic misuse or misadventure.

3) For procuring criminal abortion.

4) Used as a cattle poison, arrow poison.