The poisonous effects of oleander were already known at the time of Alexander the Great (around 2,400 years ago). Ancient authors such as Pliny and Galen reported on this, but also on possible medical uses. For example, oleander was supposed to be administered as an antidote to snake bites - but it is not known whether this actually helped or whether those affected died not from the snake venom but from the oleander's venom.
Is the oleander poisonous and for which creatures?
The oleander is poisonous because all parts of the plant contain the glycoside oleandrin. Poisoning can cause cardiac arrhythmias, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea and convulsions. Oleander is also fatally poisonous to animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats, dogs and cats.
All parts of the plant are highly poisonous
All parts of the oleander contain the glycoside oleandrin, which primarily affects the heart and can cause cardiac arrhythmias and even cardiac arrest in sensitive people. Typical symptoms of oleander poisoning include headaches, vomiting and diarrhea, cramps, blue hands and lips, as well as a slowed pulse and dilated pupils. When cutting the bush, you should always wear gloves to avoid direct contact with the escaping milky sap - here too, symptoms of poisoning such as severe skin irritation can occur.
Oleander is also fatally poisonous to animals
The plant is highly toxic to all livestock and pets and can cause death after just small amounts - a large horse, for example, dies after eating only around 15 to 20 grams of the fresh leaves. For sheep, the lethal dose is between just one to five grams. Therefore, wherever animals such as horses, donkeys, cattle, sheep, goats, but also dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc. run freely, the highly poisonous substance should not be planted Oleanders are avoided. By the way, the poison is also effective on birds.
Tip
In the event of accidental poisoning, the person affected should drink plenty of water (juice can also be used if necessary), if possible, swallow charcoal tablets (€6.00 on Amazon) and be taken to the hospital immediately.
