Context:
Kerala has banned oleander (arali) flowers in temple offerings, after a woman died after accidentally chewing leaves of the oleander plant.
Nerium oleander (Arali):
- Locally known as arali or kanaveeram
- Commonly known as oleander or rosebay
- Native to – Europe and Asia
- Widely cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions
- Features –
- Listed as “deer-resistant” plant – Because these are most resistant to deer browsing as it contain oleander toxins.
- Known for its salt and drought tolerance
- Uses –
- Used for ornamental and landscaping purposes
- Grown along highways and beaches as a green fencing
- Toxicity –
- Due to the properties of cardiac glycosides including oleandrin, folinerin, and digitoxigenin.
- Almost all parts of the plant are highly toxic to humans and pets.
Cardiac glycosides are steroidal compounds capable of exerting pharmacological effects on cardiac muscle.
Nerium oleander in Ancient India:
- Literature references – Described in Brihattrayi, Bhavaprakasha Nighantus and other classical Ayurvedic texts.
- According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), an oil prepared from the root bark can be used to treat skin diseases.
- Charak Samhita prescribed the leaves of white flowered variety externally in chronic and obstinate skin diseases of serious nature including leprosy.
- Description in Bhavaprakasha – Described as poison, used in treatment of infected wounds, skin diseases including leprosy, microbes and parasites, itching etc.
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price for niger (Guizotia abyssinica) seeds.
2. Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop.
3. Some tribal people in India use niger seed oil for cooking.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)
