- Nerium oleander, commonly known as oleander or rosebay, is widely cultivated for ornamental and landscaping purposes across tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions due to its drought tolerance.
- Two Kerala government-controlled temple boards, which together manage 2,500-odd temples in the state, have banned use of oleander flowers in temple offerings after a 24-year-old woman died after accidentally chewing some oleander leaves.
- In Kerala, it is known as arali and kanaveeram and is used as natural fencing along highways and beaches. The plant is available in various varieties, each distinguished by the color of its flowers.
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) recognizes the medicinal value of oleander. It notes that oil derived from the root bark of oleander is beneficial for treating skin diseases.
- Classical Ayurvedic texts like Charak Samhita recommend the leaves of the white flowered variety for severe skin conditions, including leprosy. Furthermore, Bhavaprakasha categorizes oleander (Karvira) as a poison but suggests its use in treating conditions such as infected wounds and skin diseases.
- Despite its medicinal applications, the toxicity of oleander is well-documented. The plant contains cardiac glycosides like oleandrin, folinerin, and digitoxigenin, which can be dangerous.
- These compounds affect the cardiac muscle, enhancing heart contractions but also posing significant risks of overdose and toxicity.
- Symptoms of oleander poisoning include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, skin rashes, confusion, dizziness, and irregular heart rhythms, which can be fatal in extreme cases.
Dig Deeper: Traditional medicine systems in India
