Oleander Health Article

Definition

Oleander poisoning occurs when someone sucks nectar from the flowers or chews leaves from the oleander or yellow oleander plant. Poisoning can also happen if you eat honey made by bees that used the oleander plant for nectar.

Alternative Names

Rosebay poisoning; Yellow oleander poisoning; Thevatia peruviana poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient

• Digitoxigenin
• Neriin
• Oleandrin
• Oleondroside

Note: This list may not include all poisonous ingredients.

Where Found

All parts of the oleander plant:

• Flowers
• Leaves
• Stems
• Twigs

Symptoms

• Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat
  • Blurred vision
  • Vision disturbances including halos
• Gastrointestinal
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting
• Heart and blood
  • Irregular or slow heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure
  • Weakness
• Nervous system
  • Confusion
  • Death
  • Depression
  • Disorientation
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Fainting
  • Headache
  • Lethargy
• Skin
  • Hives
  • Rash

Note: Depression, loss of appetite, and halos are usually only seen in chronic overdose cases.

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the plant, if known  
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number