Can oleander be used for anything?
Nerium oleander is an ornamental shrub native to northern Africa, the eastern Mediterranean basin, and Southeast Asia. It is used in traditional medicine to treat hemorrhoids, ulcers, leprosy, and as an abortifacient. Oleander is highly toxic to humans and can cause serious illness and death if ingested. All parts the plant are poisonous, especially the leaves and flowers, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, convulsions, irregular pulse and then respiratory distress.Different names for oleander are used around the world in different locations, so, when encountering a plant with this appearance, regardless of the name used for it, one should exercise great care and caution to avoid ingestion of any part of the plant, including its sap and dried leaves or twigs.Common signs of dog oleander poisoning symptoms can appear within hours of ingestion, and in some cases, signs may begin even sooner. Knowing what to watch for can help you act quickly if your dog comes into contact with oleander.Oleander poisoning typically results in cardiac arrhythmias, hyperkalemia, and gastrointestinal irritation, and can be fatal. Oleander extracts have also been studied experimentally as hypoglycemic agents.
Is it safe to burn oleander leaves?
All parts of the plant: flowers, leaves, stems, trunks, and roots – both dried and green – contain powerful compounds which can cause severe gastric and cardiac distress when ingested. The sap from the plant can cause skin irritation. Even smoke from burning oleander leaves can be irritating. Consumption of 5 to 10 oleander leaves can cause clinical signs that lead to death within hours. The entire fresh or dried plant, including seeds, fruit, and root, is toxic because of the content of cardiac glycosides.Ancient texts describe instances where armies attempted to poison enemy water supplies using oleander leaves, though the effectiveness and frequency of such tactics remain debated among historians. The plant’s toxicity made it a dangerous weapon that could affect friendly forces as easily as enemies.Oleander poses a problem for animal owners because it contains cardiotoxic compounds known to poison animals, including humans, dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, llamas, and birds. The primary toxic agent, oleandrin, causes heart arrhythmias that lead to cardiac arrest and death.Even the smoke from burning oleander is poisonous. For this reason, avoid burning any green waste from the plant; it is best to dispose of it in your household waste. The toxicity of oleander is about the same as that of lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) and foxglove (Digitalis purpurea).
What is the homeopathic remedy oleander used for?
The cardiac glycosides in oleander affect the heart. These chemicals can slow the heart rate down. Some of these chemicals might also kill cancer cells. People use oleander for heart failure, cancer, epilepsy, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Oleander poisoning often presents with cardiovascular symptoms due to the plant’s toxic cardiac glycosides, which interfere with the heart’s normal function [11]. These glycosides inhibit the Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme, leading to an increase in intracellular calcium levels and resulting in cardiac arrhythmias [12].Some investigators recommend the empiric administration of 10 vials of digoxin-specific Fab. One study has suggested Fructose- 1, 6-diphosphate (FDP) as a novel antidote for yellow oleander- induced cardiac toxicity. The mortality ranges from 10-to 17% for in- hospital patients.
Is oleander a drug?
Although oleander has been used in traditional medicine and as a dietary supplement, there is no clinical evidence that oleander and its constituents, including oleandrin, are safe or effective for any therapeutic purpose. Oleandrin is not approved by regulatory agencies as a prescription drug. Abstract. Oleandrin is a highly lipid-soluble cardiac glycoside isolated from the plant Nerium oleander (Apocynaceae) and is used as a traditional herbal medicine due to its excellent pharmacological properties. It is widely applied for various disease treatments, such as congestive heart failure.
Is the oleander plant safe to eat?
Oleander contains multiple poisonous compounds and all parts of the plant are highly toxic to humans and pets. Ingesting even a small amount of the plant can result in serious injury or death. The clear sticky sap can cause skin irritation or a rash on contact. In Ayurveda, the N. Apocynaceae family is classified under Moola visha (~poisonous roots) as well as in Upavisha varga (~ sub-class of poisonous drugs) under the name Karavira. All parts of the plants, especially leaves, flowers, and stems, are toxic.Oleander contains multiple poisonous compounds and all parts of the plant are highly toxic to humans and pets. Ingesting even a small amount of the plant can result in serious injury or death. The clear sticky sap can cause skin irritation or a rash on contact.
What is the Speciality of oleander?
Despite the danger, oleander is of great medicinal importance and used for heart conditions, asthma, epilepsy, cancer, painful menstrual periods, leprosy, malaria, ringworm, indigestion, and venereal disease; and to cause abortions, as well as drugs derived from this plant, is used in treatment of cancer and the . Conclusions: Digoxin-specific antibody fragments remain the only proven therapy for yellow oleander poisoning.