काकनासा – Asclepias curassavica

 

Name – काकनासा

Botanical name – Asclepias curassavica

Description – Erect herb with bright crimson flowers in cymes. Follicle about 6 cm long.

Chemical Constituents- Roots contain glycosides vincetoxin (asclepiadin). Stem contains noraproside and 12Beta-hydroxycoroglaucigenin. Leaves contain cardenolides. Plant contains cardenolides calactin, calotropin, calotropagenin, coroglaucigenin, uzarigenin, asclepin. Also contains Beta-sitosterol and its glucoside.

Use – Roots emetic and cathartic, used in piles and gonorrhoea. Leaf juice antihelmintic, anti dysenteric and sudorific, used against cancer. Latex used to remove warts and corn