Chemical Constituents and Uses of Calotropis Procera and Calotropis Gigantea – A Review (Part I – The Plants as Material and Energy Resources)

Abstract

The traditional and current use of Calotropis procera and C. gigantea , two soft-wooded, xerophytic shrubs of the family Apocynaceae , are reviewed against the background of the plants' chemical constituents and their biological properties. The focus is on the usage of the plants for building materials, natural pesticides, animal feed and bioremediative purposes.