The poisonous effects of oleanders were already known at the time of Alexander the Great (about 2400 years ago). Ancient authors such as Pliny and Galen report on this, but also on medical uses. For example, oleander was supposed to be administered as an antidote to snake bites - whether that actually helped or whether those affected died not from the snake venom but from that of the oleander is not known.
Caution! The oleander is highly toxic
All parts of the plant are highly toxic
All parts of the oleander contain the glycoside oleandrin, which primarily affects the heart and can cause cardiac arrhythmia and even cardiac arrest in sensitive people. Typical symptoms of oleander poisoning are headache, vomiting and diarrhea, convulsions, blue hands and lips, as well as a slowed pulse and dilated pupils. When cutting the shrub, you should always wear gloves to avoid direct contact with the escaping milky sap - this can also lead to symptoms of poisoning such as severe skin irritation.
Oleander is also deadly poisonous to animals
The plant is highly toxic to all livestock and domestic animals and can be fatal after only small amounts - a large horse, for example, dies after eating only about 15 to 20 grams of the fresh leaves. In sheep, the lethal dose is between just one and five grams. Therefore, wherever animals such as horses, donkeys, cattle, sheep, goats, but also dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc. roam free, planting of the highly toxic substance should be avoided Oleanders are dispensed with. By the way, the poison is also effective in birds.
tips
In the event of accidental poisoning, the person affected should drink plenty of water (juice can also be used if necessary), swallow charcoal tablets if possible and be taken to the hospital immediately.