Oleander Nerium oleander L

Common Name(s): Oleander, adelfa , laurier rose , rosa laurel, rose bay , rosa francesa .

In Spain, the Philipines and Puerto Rico the oleander is known as the adelfa

Other Names: Nerium oleander is called the Laurel Rose (laurel rosa) or

Garden Laurel (laurel de jardin) in Argentina and Uruguay.

In Brazil the name Saint Joseph's Flower (flor de San Jose) is cited,

while in Cuba French Rose (rosa francesa) is used.

French Willow, South Sea Rose and, in Arabic, Dafla

Habitat and range: N. oleander is native or naturalized to a broad area from Mauritania, Morocco, and Portugal eastward through the Mediterranean region and the Sahara (where it is only found sporadically), to the Arabian peninsula, southern Asia, and as far East as southern parts of China.

It typically occurs around dry stream beds. Nerium oleander is planted in many subtopical and tropical areas of the world.

Uses

Ornamental: Oleander grows well in warm subtropical regions, where it is extensively used as an ornamental plant in landscapes, in parks, and along roadsides.

It is drought-tolerant and will tolerate occasional light frost down to −10 °C. It is commonly used in landscaping freeway medians in California, Texas and other mild-winter states in the Continental United States because it is upright in habit and easily maintained. Its toxicity renders it deer-resistant. It is tolerant of poor soils and drought

Oleander Dosing

There is no clinical evidence to support specific doses of oleander. Extreme caution should be used because of its acute cardiotoxicity.

Contraindications: No longer considered safe .

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Avoid use.

Oleander Adverse Reactions

Phytodermatitis caused by contact with oleander has been reported frequently.

A common legend states that some of Napoleon's troops died in of poisoning in Spain after roasting meat on oleander twigs

Toxicology

Oleander is extremely toxic. Major toxicity includes: disturbances in heart rhythm and death.

Other signs of toxicity include pain in the oral cavity, nausea, emesis, abdominal pain, cramping and diarrhea.

Botany

The oleander is a shrub that grows to about 6 to 7 m. in height.

It has long, narrow leaves that attain almost 1 m.in length, and these are typically grouped in threes around the stem.

History

Despite its well-recognized toxic potential, the oleander has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It was used by primitive people as arrow and dart poisons.

Its uses included the management of such diverse ailments as cardiac illnesses, asthma, corns, cancer, and epilepsy.

A number of uses for oleander have been reported, although in most cases, evidence supporting these indications is lacking. In the Narni area of Umbria, in the Italian countryside, the farmers and shepherds still use medicinal plants. N. oleander leaves are ground and mixed with honey to form a poultice and then applied topically to treat scabies .

In certain regions of Morocco, phytotherapy represents an integral part of health care. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiac disorders are conditions treated with oleander.

Chemistry

The plant contains a number of related cardiac glycosides similar in activity to digitalis.

The main glycosides are oleandrin and neriine .

Cardenolides gentiobiosyl oleandrin and odoroside also are present. In addition, a variety of other pharmacologically active compounds, including folinerin, rosagenin, rutin, and oleandomycin, have been identified in the plant

Oleander Uses and Pharmacology

More recently, research has focused on the anticancer effects of oleander and its constituent compounds.

Oleandrin inhibits certain kinases, transcription factors, and inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor.

This may provide a molecular basis for the ability of oleandrin to suppress inflammation and perhaps tumorigenesis.

The authors of this in vitro study suggest that oleandrin may have applications for various diseases, including arthritis, but all require further investigation.

Dosage

There is no clinical evidence to support specific doses of oleander. Extreme caution should be used because of its acute cardiotoxicity.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Avoid use.

Adverse Reactions

Phytodermatitis caused by contact with oleander has been frequently reported.

The dermatitis may result when crushed leaves of the shrub come into contact with the skin of a person who is sensitive because of previous exposure.

Toxicology

The entire oleander plant contains toxic cardiac glycosides. However, the highest levels are found in the roots and seeds.

Even smoke from the plant and water in which the plant has been immersed can be toxic .

In birds, as little as 0.12 to 0.7 g of the plant has caused death. As few as 15 to 20 g of fresh leaves can be fatal to a horse, 1 to 5 g can be lethal to a sheep.

Deaths have been reported in children who ingested a handful of flowers and in adults who used the fresh twigs as meat skewers; the nectar makes honey toxic .

Additionally, oleander reportedly was used in a case of deliberate poisoning by chronic administration of the roots of the plant over an 8-week period.

Symptoms of oleander toxicity include pain in the oral cavity, nausea, emesis, abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea. Special attention must be given to cardiac function. The cardiac glycosides may induce conduction defects.

Additionally, systemic hyperkalemia induced by the plant may worsen cardiac function.

Oleander toxicity should be managed aggressively. Gastric lavage or induced emesis (The medical term for vomiting). should be performed.

Some experts have reported that activated charcoal may be administered orally.

ECG monitoring for cardiac impairment and monitoring of serum potassium levels should be performed frequently.

The conduction defects can usually be managed with atropine and isoproterenol, which contain similar compounds.

Ecology: Has high tolerance to drought and restricted water conditions.