Arka Ksheera
Arka Ksheera is a preparation made from plant material. Latex proteins (calotropain) are proteolytic and facilitate penetration through skin barriers. Shodhana (milk purification) process partially inactivates the most toxic cardenolides while retaining therapeutically useful compounds.
| Substance type | Preparation made from plant material, not a single plant drug |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Arka Ksheera, ArkaKsheera |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Arka Ksheera |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Katu, Tikta | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Tikshna | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |
What is it made of?
Mineral/Elemental Profile
- Primary component: Mineral-derived preparation
- Note: Composition varies by specific preparation method
Analytical Methods: XRD, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Processed latex (Shodhita Ksheera), Gutika (pills prepared with Shodhita latex), Taila (oil processed with latex — external), Lepa (paste — external)
Standard Dosage: 1-3 drops Shodhita latex with appropriate anupana (INTERNAL: only under strict physician supervision); external: as needed for topical application
Bioavailability: High bioavailability of cardiac glycosides from latex — calotropin and calactin are rapidly absorbed both orally and transdermally. Latex proteins (calotropain) are proteolytic and facilitate penetration through skin barriers. Shodhana (milk purification) process partially inactivates the most toxic cardenolides while retaining therapeutically useful compounds.
Optimal Timing: Strictly as per physician direction. External applications to affected area, avoiding broken skin and mucous membranes.
Standardized Extract: Shodhita Arka Ksheera (purified latex) with documented cardenolide content per batch. Total cardenolide levels must be within specified therapeutic range (established per classical formulation monograph).
Shelf Life: 1 year (Shodhita latex, refrigerated); 3 years (oil-based preparations); 2 years (pills/Gutika)
Storage: Shodhita latex refrigerated (2-8°C) in amber glass. Double-sealed containers. Clearly labeled: TOXIC — RESTRICTED. Store separately from food-grade materials.
Marker Compounds: Calotropin, Calactin, Calotoxin, Uscharin, Calotropagenin, Calotropain (protease)
Extraction Methods
- Direct latex collection from stem incisions
- Shodhana: trituration of latex with cow’s milk (Dugdha Bhavana, 7 cycles)
- Oil processing (Ksheera added to sesame oil base with herbal decoction, heated per Taila Paka vidhi)
Synergistic Combinations
- As component of Arka Taila for Vata disorders (external)
- With processed Vatsanabha in highly specialized formulations (toxic combination — expert use only)
- With Nirgundi Taila for musculoskeletal pain (external)
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.