The central part of the flower is candied and used as a sweetmeat[ 46 ]. An alcoholic drink is made from the leaves. The plant yields a manna.

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The milky sap (latex) coagulates when warm and is said to have similar cardiac properties to digitalis (from various Digitalis spp.)[ 307 ]. It is also considered to be antiseptic, emetic, purgative and vermifuge[ 299 ]. It is used in the treatment of a variety of other conditions including dysentery, leprosy, elephantiasis, epilepsy, asthma and many other complaints[ 307 ]. Mixed with salt, it is taken orally as an emetic for treating severe colds[ 348 ]. In Nepal, the latex is applied to sprains, body pains, boils and pimples[ 272 ]. The milky latex is used externally to stop bleeding, and for treating a wide range of conditions including leprosy, rheumatism, ringworm, boils, scabies, stings, burns, bruises, cuts, sores and wounds, [ 299 , 348 ]. It is applied to the gums and teeth to treat caries and toothaches[ 299 ]. The bark is used as a medicine for the treatment of neurodermatitis and syphilis[ 266 ]. The powdered bark is used to treat diarrhoea, dysentery, elephantiasis, and leprosy [ 272 , 299 ]. The stem bark is diaphoretic and expectorant, and is used for dysentery, spleen complaints, convulsions, lumbago, scabies, ringworm, pneumonia, and to induce labour. An infusion of the leaves is used to treat severe chest colds and heart conditions[ 348 ]. The leaf juice is used in the treatment of intermittent fever[ 272 ]. The smoke of dried, burned leaves is inhaled to calm asthma attacks[ 299 ]. The crushed leaves are warmed and used as a poultice on sores, burns, headaches and rheumatic pains[ 46 , 266 , 272 , 299 ]. The powdered flowers are valued for treating coughs, colds and asthma[ 272 , 299 ]. An infusion is taken to treat intestinal worms, rheumatism and epileptic attacks[ 299 ]. The juice of young buds is dropped into the ear in the treatment of earache[ 272 ]. The fruit pulp is considered abortive[ 299 ].

Other uses rating: High (4/5). Seaside, Specimen, Large Planter, Coastal Screening, Xerophytic. Agroforestry Uses: As it thrives upon soils where nothing else will grow, needing neither culture nor water, it has been considered a good plant for bringing waste land under tillage and for reclaiming drifting sands[ 454 ]. The leaves can be used for mulching, green manuring of rice fields and for binding sandy soil[ 299 ]. The plant is sometimes grown as a hedge[ 299 ]. Other Uses: A fine fibre is obtained from the bark of the stems[ 266 , 302 , 454 ]. Very strong, it is said to possess many of the qualities of flax (Linum usitatissimum), though it is somewhat finer[ 46 , 454 ]. It is much used for making textiles, fishing nets and bowstrings[ 307 , 454 ]. The mature seed pods contain a large quantity of floss, which has a variety of uses. For example, it can be used to stuff pillows etc or mixed with other fibres to make cloth[ 112 , 159 , 169 , 171 , 454 ]. It is a Kapok substitute, being very water repellent it can be used as a buoyancy aid in Life Jackets or as a stuffing material[ 112 ]. The floss absorbs oil whilst repelling water and so has also been used to mop up oil spills at sea. Candlewicks can be made from the seed floss[ 112 , 207 ]. The twigs are used as chewsticks for cleaning the teeth[ 299 , 307 ]. The juice is used in making a yellow dye and in tanning[ 266 ]. The wood is sometimes used for fuel, but it is of poor quality[ 299 ]. However, a good quality charcoal is obtained from the wood and can be used for making gunpowder[ 272 , 299 , 307 ]. Attractive flowers are long lasting and used for floral arrangements. May exhibit mosquito controlling properties against Culex gelidus and Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes which serves as vectors for Japanese encephalitis. Host to a variety of insects and butterflies including Hawaii's non-migratory monarch butterflies. Carbon Farming - Industrial Crop: hydrocarbon, fiber. The dogbane-milkweed family Asclepias, Apocynum, Calotropis, and Trachomitum spp) has been used for fiber industrial crops for millennia with a number in cultivation as regional crops. All of these crops are dual-purpose fibres, offering bast fibres from the stem and seed fiber or ‘floss’ in the fruit pods. Many have also been identified as potential hydrocarbon crops due to high latex content. Could be integrated into various agroforestry systems rather than as monocultures [1-1].

Special Uses