NERIUM OLEANDER

NERIUM OLEANDER

Nerium oleander L. Family: Apocynaceae (dogbane)

MORPHOLOGY

LEAF SHAPE: ENTIRE

LEAF MARGIN: LINEAR

VEIN TO VEIN DIFFERENCE: 0.13 CM

MEDICINAL USES:

        The plant  has been used in the treatment of cardiac illness, asthma, diabetes mellitus, corns, scabies, cancer, and epilepsy. However, in none of these conditions is there good evidence for use.

Description:

The oleander is a shrub that grows to about 6 to 7 meters in height. It has long, narrow leaves that attain almost 5 to 12 inches (1 meter) in length, and these are typically grouped in threes around the stem. The red, pink, or white fluffy flowers form in small clusters. Cultivated plants rarely produce fruits. 1 Although native to the Mediterranean, the oleander is widely cultivated throughout warm, tropical climates. Oleander is synonymous with Nerium indicum Mill. Oleander should not be confused with yellow oleander ( Thevetia neriifolia ), a related toxic plant.

Ehtnomedicinal Uses:

Medicinal uses of nerium oleander include treating ulcers, hemorrhoids, and leprosy. In addition, oleander has been used to treat ringworm, herpes, and abscesses. It is native to northern Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Mediterranean. Although people have used this supplement for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, nerium oleander is very toxic and should not be ingested.