Handbook of Medicinal Herbs

G

Indications (German Sarsaparilla) — Amenorrhea (f; PH2); Arthrosis (f; HHB; PH2); Colic (f;

PH2); Dermatosis (f; HHB); Diabetes (f; PH2); Edema (f; PH2); Fever (f; HHB); Gas (f; PH2);

Gastrosis (f; HHB); Gout (f; HHB; PH2); Hepatosis (f; PH2); Inflammation (f; PH2); Mange (f;

HHB); Pain (f; HHB); Pulmonosis (f; PH2); Rheumatism (f; HHB; PH2); Tuberculosis (f; PH2);

VD (f; PH2); Water Retention (f; HHB).

GIANT MILKWEED (Calotropis gigantea (L.) W. T. Aiton) X

Synonyms — Asclepias gigantea L. C. procera, with very similar activities and indications

(WO2). Both are called giant milkweed by USDA, but that common name is preferred for the

namesake C. gigantea. Here I yield to the Herbal PDR (edition 2), which treats them separately.

I have aggregated their chemicals in FNF, but reluctantly maintain them as separate accounts,

as does PH2.

Activities (Giant Milkweed) — Alexeteric (f; KAB); Alterative (f; DEP; KAP); Analgesic (f;

KAB); Antiinflammatory (f; KAB); Antispasmodic (f; DEP; KAP); Antitumor (1; PH2); Bitter (f;

KAP); Cardiotonic (1; KAP; PH2); Depilatory (f; DEP; KAB); Diaphoretic (f; DEP; PH2; SUW);

Digestive (f; KAB); Emetic (f; DEP; KAP; PH2; SUW); Expectorant (f; DEP; KAP; PH2; SUW);

Gastrotonic (f; KAB); Laxative (f; KAP; SUW); Nervine (f; DEP); Proteolytic (f; KAB); Rubefa-

cient (f; DEP); Stimulant (f; KAB); Stomachic (f; KAB; KAP); Tonic (f; DEP; KAP); Uterotonic

(1; KAP); Vermifuge (f; KAB).

Indications (Giant Milkweed) — Anasarca (f; DEP; KAB; PH2); Anorexia (f; DEP); Aphtha (f;

DEP); Arthrosis (f; DEP); Ascites (f; DEP; PH2); Asthma (f; DEP; KAB; SUW); Bite (f; KAB);

Bronchosis (f; DEP; KAP); Cachexia (f; DEP); Cancer (1; PH2); Cancer, abdomen (f; JLH); Cancer,

skin (1; PH2); Catarrh (f; DEP; KAB); Cold (f; SUW); Constipation (f; DEP; KAP; SUW);

Convulsion (f; SEP; PH2); Cough (f; KAB; PH2; SUW); Cramp (f; DEP; KAP); Dermatosis (f;

DEP; SUW); Diarrhea (f; SUW); Dropsy (f; DEP; KAB); Dysentery (f; DEP; KAP; PH2; SUW);

Dyspepsia (f; PH2; SUW); Elephantiasis (f; DEP; SUW); Enterosis (f; KAB; PH2; SUW); Epid-

idymosis (f; DEP); Epilepsy (f; DEP); Fever (f; DEP; KAB; PH2; SUW); Gonorrhea (f; DEP);

Hemorrhoid (f; DEP); Hepatosis (f; DEP; KAB); Hysteria (f; DEP); Inflammation (f; KAB);

Leprosy (f; DEP; PH2; SUW); Leukoderma (f; KAB); Malaria (f; DEP; KAB); Obesity (f; PH2);

Pain (f; DEP; KAB); Paralysis (f; DEP; KAB); Pharyngosis (f; KAP; PH2); Phthisis (f; DEP);

Rheumatism (f; DEP; SUW); Rhinosis (f; KAP; PH2); Ringworm (f; KAB); Scabies (f; KAB);

Snakebite (f; DEP; KAB); Sore (f; JLH); Splenosis (f; DEP; KAB); Stomatosis (f; DEP); Swelling

(f; DEP; JLH; KAB; SUW); Syphilis (f; PH2; SUW); Toothache (f; DEP; PH2); Tumor (1; PH2);

VD (f; DEP; PH2); Vomiting (f; PH2; SUW); Wart (f; PH2); Worm (f; KAB; PH2; SUW); Wound

(f; DEP; KAB).

Dosages (Giant Milkweed) — 200–600 mg bark as a diaphoretic and expectorant, 2–4 g as emetic

(HHB; PHR).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Giant Milkweed) — Not covered (AHP;

KOM). “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2). Dangerous

plant. Very high doses may cause death, following bradycardia, convulsion, diarrhea, and vomiting

(PH2). Perkins and Payne note convulsions, diarrhea, vomiting, slowed but stronger heartbeat,

labored respiration, increased blood pressure, and possible death (CRC). Traditional use in India

may cause severe bullous dermatosis, leading occasionally to hypertropic scars. Calotropine effec-

tive in vitro against epidermoid tissue cultures of the rhinopharynx (PH2).