Blood flower

ASCELPIAS CURASSAVICA, a medicinal plant, belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae. It was introduced here from tropical America, naturalised and acclimatised itself to the subtropical climate.

It is commonly known as the blood flower, curassavian swallow wort, West Indian Ipecacuanha or Kakatundi (in Sanskrit and Hindi), Kurki (in Marathi) and Bankarpas (in Bengali). In Jamaica it is called the blood flower due to its efficacy in controlling dysentery. West Indian colonists called it the wild ipecacuanha.

The plant is found widely distributed in peninsular India upto an altitude of 1,200 metres and also in warmer parts of the country upto Bengal.

It grows to a height of 1.0 to 1.5 metres. The stem is branched from the base. Leaves are lanceolate, acute at the base, acuminate at the top. The glabrous flowers, crimson red, have short peduncled cymes and follicles six centimetres long. Seeds have a thick margin with a coma 2.0-2.5 cm long.

The plant is propagated mainly through seeds and flowers almost throughout the year. The seeds are dark and about the size of black pepper. Germination takes 10-20 days depending on the season. The plant can also be propagated through stem cuttings, which are inserted deep into the soil till at least two nodes are buried and three buds are above the surface. For quick root initiation, the basal, 1 or 2 cm of the stem cutting, is dipped in root hormone powder (karadex) available commercially. Within 30-40 days, the stem cuttings with roots are ready to be planted. Initially the plants need watering at weekly intervals. Later, this can be every fortnight. After one rainy season the plants can thrive on their own. At the time of planting about 25 kg of manure may be applied. The plant does not attract insect pests nor is susceptible to disease.

All the parts of the plant are valued in indigenous systems of medicine. The juice of the leaves stops dysentry and is also used against hemorrhage and gonorrhea. In Mexico the fresh or dried and pulverised leaf is reported to be a cure against cancer. The alkaloids extracted from the leaves, stem and flowers are reported to be inhibitory against carcinomatous cells of the human nasopharynx.

The entire plant is considered to be an emetic (induces vomiting), styptic (stops bleeding) and purgative (causes evacuation of the bowels). In powder form and as a balm, it is used to treat abdominal tumours. The juice of the flower is reported to be a good styptic. The flower, as a paste, is used for headaches. In Ghana, the powdered flower and leaves are used to treat sores and wounds. An alcoholic extract of the Indian plant has been reported to contain 22 active principles.

The plant has anti-ovulatory, anti-implementation and cardio tonic activities. The plant yields latex, which has bacterial properties and is used to treat warts and corns. The stem yields quality fibre. The plant is toxic to animals due to its glucosides, and is used as a fish poison.

It is reported that the alcoholic extract of the roots increases blood pressure in animals. The root mixed with an equal quantity of Acorus root is given in chronic ulcers. The plant is also used to treat hair fall, epilepsy, cough, leprosy, mental disorders and as a tonic and a rejuvenator.

Text and picture by

P. E. RAJASEKHARAN

T. N. SHIVANAND

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