OLADE, ZIKKIM TREE, WEDDING TREE
NERIUM OLEANDER L.
(Apocynaceae-fam.)
ATTENTION! OLEASTER GLYCOSIDES ARE OBVIOUSLY CUMULATIVE (ACCUMULATORY IN THE ORGANISM)
IT HAS AN EFFECT. THE PLANT IS POISONOUS. IT SHOULD BE TAKEN UNDER A DOCTOR'S SUPERVISION.
Where it is Found: The homeland of the oleander tree is the Mediterranean region. It is grown as an ornamental plant.
Structure: It is an evergreen small tree or shrub, up to 4 m. high. The leaves are gray-green, rhombic-lanceolate, reciprocal and leathery. The flowers are pink, rarely white, red or yellow. The flowers are in a half-shield at the end of the stem.
Parts Used: Leaves, sometimes roots and seeds are used. The leaves are collected in spring when they start to bloom or in autumn when the plant stops growing., dried in the shade or in ovens at temperatures up to 50 degrees. Dry plant leaves are gray green, odorless and bitter. Accepted humidity is % 12. Packed in bags or bales. Stored in dry and airy buildings.
Chemical Composition: All parts of the plant contain cardiac glycosides. Those isolated from the leaves: oleandrin, desacetyl-oleandrin, adinerin, neriantin, nerin, other ursol acid, saponins, rutin, campferol 3-rhamnolar, cardiac glycosides are contained. Cortenerin, A and B glycoside; seeds also-nerigoside, desacetylnerigoside, 16-anhydrodesacetyloleandrin, digistrozide, cryptograndozide Ai desacetylcryptogenins; digitoxigenin, oleandrigenin, gitoxigenin are also contained.
In Which Diseases Is It Used: Cardiac glycosides have a distinguished effect on the heart muscles. They strengthen heart movements and regulate blood circulation. The plant has an antimicrobial effect thanks to the oleandomycin antibiotic. It is used in the treatment of 2nd and 3rd degree insufficiency in blood circulation, especially heart failure and irregular heartbeats (rhythm). Oleandomycin antibiotic is applied against staphylococci that are resistant to penicillin and other antibiotics.
In folk medicine, oleander is used against nerve damage, headache, epilepsy, paralysis (apoplexy), insomnia, muscle spasm, vomiting, diarrhea, gas in the intestines, etc. Externally, it is applied to watery eczema and fungi. It is used for tooth and gum pain (as a mouthwash).
Usage: 1 coffee spoon of the plant is boiled with 0.5 lt. of boiling water and left for 1 hour. Take a tea glass 3 times a day before meals..
