Nerium oleander (Apocynaceae) Kanheri

Nerium oleander (Oleander)

1. Taxonomic insights

Species: Nerium oleander

Family: Apocynaceae

Genus: Nerium

The Apocynaceae family is renowned for containing many plants with powerful, often toxic, cardiac glycosides and indole alkaloids, underscoring the principle that potency and toxicity are closely linked.

Related Herbs from the same family:

• Rauvolfia serpentina (Sarpagandha): A classical Ayurvedic herb for hypertension and mental disorders, containing potent indole alkaloids.

• Catharanthus roseus (Sadabahar): The source of vinca alkaloids used in modern chemotherapy for cancer.

• Holarrhena pubescens (Kutaja): A premier herb for digestive disorders like dysentery and diarrhea.

2. Common Names:

Scientific Name: Nerium oleander | English: Oleander, Rose Bay | Sanskrit: Karavira, Ashvamaraka | Hindi: Kaner, Kanail | Tamil: Arali, Alari | Telugu: Ganneru | Kannada: Kanagile | Malayalam: Arali, Kanaveeram | Marathi: Kanher | Bengali: Karabi | Persian: Khar-zahra | Spanish: Adelfa | French: Laurier-rose |

3. Medicinal Uses:NOTE: HIGHLY TOXIC. Traditional external uses only: Insecticidal, Antiparasitic (scabies, lice), Anti-inflammatory (topical for skin diseases), Analgesic (topical for rheumatic pain). Any internal use is dangerous and can be fatal.

Medicinal Parts:All parts of the plant are deadly poisonous. In strictly controlled external applications only, the leaves and root bark have been used.

• Leaves: Used externally in pastes or washes.

• Root Bark: Occasionally mentioned in classical texts for external preparations after rigorous purification (shodhana).

4. Phytochemicals specific to the plant and their action.

Cardiac Glycosides (Oleandrin, Nerioside, Digitoxigenin): These are the primary toxic compounds. Their action is positive inotropy (increased force of heart contraction) but at a narrow therapeutic index, leading to severe cardiac arrhythmia, bradycardia, and death by disrupting the sodium-potassium pump in heart muscle cells.

Flavonoids and Triterpenoids: May contribute to Anti-inflammatory effects when applied topically, but are overshadowed by the dominant toxicity.

Cardenolides: Similar to digitalis from Foxglove, these compounds are responsible for its extreme Cardiotoxicity.

5. Traditional and Ethnobotanical uses covering the Medicinal uses.

Kushtha (Skin Diseases) & Krimi (Parasites)

Formulation: Detoxified (Shodhita) Karavira leaf paste or oil.

Preparation & Use: After extensive purification processes (like boiling in cow's urine or milk, as described in texts like Rasatarangini), a paste or medicated oil of the leaves is applied externally for chronic skin conditions like leprosy, scabies, ringworm, and eczema.

Reasoning: The toxic glycosides have potent insecticidal and antiparasitic properties. The purification process is intended to mitigate toxicity while retaining some therapeutic action for external use.

Shoola (Pain) & Vatarakta (Gout/Rheumatism)

Formulation: Medicated poultice or oil for external application.

Preparation & Use: The processed leaves or root bark are used in poultices or medicated oils for application on painful, inflamed joints and rheumatic swellings.

Reasoning: The anti-inflammatory compounds may provide relief, but this is a high-risk practice due to potential dermal absorption of toxins.

WARNING - Internal Use: Classical texts like Sushruta Samhita mention internal use of purified Karavira for specific conditions like hemorrhoids and abdominal tumors. However, this is described as a last-resort treatment (upavishta), involving complex detoxification and precise dosing under direct supervision of an expert. This practice is NEVER to be attempted otherwise.

6. Healing recipes, Teas, Decoctions and Culinary use (if any):

There is NO safe culinary or internal preparation. Even external preparations are hazardous and not recommended for home use.

Academic Note on Traditional External Wash:Purpose: For stubborn skin parasites (lice, scabies).

Preparation & Use (Historical Context Only):

1. A handful of leaves were boiled in water for an extended period.

2. The cooled decoction was used to wash affected skin or hair.SEVERE WARNING: This can lead to systemic absorption and poisoning. It is presented here only as a historical note and is NOT a recommended remedy.

7. Disclaimer:

Nerium oleander is ONE OF THE MOST POISONOUS PLANTS COMMONLY FOUND IN GARDENS. All parts are toxic, whether fresh or dried. Ingestion of a single leaf can be fatal to a human or animal. Symptoms of poisoning include severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, and death from cardiac arrest. Smoke from burning oleander is also toxic. There is NO SAFE HOME USE of this plant. Any mention of traditional use is for academic understanding of classical texts and MUST NOT be construed as a recommendation. In case of suspected ingestion, seek emergency medical attention immediately. This information is solely for identification and awareness of extreme danger.

8. Reference Books, Books for In-depth Study:

• Rasatarangini by Sadananda Sharma (for classical purification processes)

• Indian Materia Medica by Dr. K.M. Nadkarni (details toxicity and traditional caution)

• Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (Part I, Vol. V - lists purified Karavira)

• Toxic Plants of North America by George E. Burrows & Ronald J. Tyrl

9. Further study: Plants that might interest you due to similar medicinal properties (and extreme toxicity)

1. Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove)

• Species: Digitalis purpurea | Family: Plantaginaceae | Genus: Digitalis

• Similarities: The source of the modern heart drug digoxin. Like oleander, it contains cardiac glycosides (digoxin, digitoxin) with a very narrow therapeutic window. It exemplifies how a deadly poison, through precise scientific standardization, becomes a life-saving medicine, mirroring the Ayurvedic concept of shodhana (purification).

2. Aconitum ferox (Vatsanabha/Indian Aconite)

• Species: Aconitum ferox | Family: Ranunculaceae | Genus: Aconitum

• Similarities: Another famously toxic herb in Ayurveda, used only after extensive purification. Both are considered upavishta (last-resort) medicines in their purified forms. While Oleander targets the heart, Aconite is a neurotoxin that affects the nervous system, yet both require the highest level of expertise for any application.

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