Karavira, Indian Oleander (Nerium indicum)
Description of Plant
Karavira is a large glabrous evergreen shrub with white latex. Karavira consists of various types based on the color of flowers as Red, Yellow, White, etc.
Leaves of this plant are thick and long. In red colored flowers leaves are dark green and in white colored flowers they are light green in color. They are about 17 cm in length and 1-3 cm in width.
Fruits are cylindrical with Red and White varieties about 4 to 6 inches in length with many seeds. The fruit of the Yellow variety is round and light red colored (unripe) or grey (ripened fruit) and has 2 seeds of light yellow color. It is poisonous.
The root system of this herbal plant is highly branched. The roots are of grayish color having long irregular streaks.
Stem is grayish or grayish green in color and is branched, with similar types of streaks on the bark surface.
Bark is soft and is of Silvery grey white color.
General Description
Karavira (Nerium indicum / Nerium oleander) is a toxic yet medicinally valuable herbal plant used in Ayurveda. Despite its poisonous nature, it has therapeutic applications when used with caution and in prescribed forms. External application of Karavira is indicated in the treatment of bites from poisonous insects and certain skin conditions. In classical Ayurvedic texts, Karavira is also used in the management of functional heart disorders, cardiac insufficiency, and various skin diseases. The plant’s stem, leaves, and flowers are known to contain cardiac glycosides, which are potent bioactive compounds responsible for both its toxic and therapeutic effects. The leaves of Karavira contain cardioactive glycosides such as oleandrin, neriodin, adynerin, and β-D-diginoside, along with other cardiotonic compounds including ursolic acid and a flavonoid similar to rutin
Roots, bark and seeds consists of neriodorin, nerioderin, karabin, odorin and other cardio active glycosides. The root-bark is reported to contain α-amyrin, β-sitosterol, kaempferol and odoroside B, 4-hydroxy- and 2, 4-dihydroxy acetophenones.
Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
- Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
- Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
- Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants (Angiosperms)
- Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
- Subclass: Asteridae
- Order: Gentianales
- Family: Apocynaceae – Oleander family
- Genus: Nerium
- Species: Nerium indicum Mill. (often synonymized with Nerium oleander L.)
Habitat
This Herbal plant is usually cultivated as an ornamental shrub in gardens throughout India. It is found growing in the Himalayas from Nepal westwards to Kashmir up to 1,950m and in upper Gangetic plain and Madhya Pradesh. Also found in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Balochistan, south India, China and Japan.
It is found on the road sides and grown in the fences in Southern India. Its flowers are used to worship God.
Names
- Hindi Name – Kaner, Kanail
- Telugu Name- Erra Ganneru, Jannerat
- English Name – Indian Oleander
- Punjabi – Kanir
- Bengali Name – Karavi
- Marati Name – Kanher
- Kannada – Kanagilu, Kharjahar, Kanigale, Kanagile
- Assamese – Diflee, Sammulhimar
- Gujarati Name – Kaner, Karena
- Tamil Name – Alari
- Urdu Name – Kaner
- China Name – Kiah chuh-au
- Arabian Name – Sammul hibar
- Farsi name – Kharjahara
Ayurvedic Properties
| Hindi / Sanskrit | English | ||
| Rasa | Katu, Tikta | Taste | Pungent, Bitter |
| Guna | Laghu, Rooksha | Physical Property | Light, Dry |
| Virya | Ushna | Potency | Hot |
| Vipaka | Katu | Metabolic Property (After Digestion) | Pungent |
Effects on Doshas
It balances Kapha and Vata.
Classical Categorization
| Charaka Samhita | Sushrut Samhita | Vagbhata |
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Ancient Verse about Nerium indicum
The Bhavprakash nighantu edition of 1998: verse 82-84 page no-314-316.
Name and properties of white and red Karavira (Kaner) – Karavir, Svetapushpa, Satakumbha, aswamaraka are Sanskrit name of White Kaner.
Sanskrit names of Red Kaner are Raktapushpa, chandata, and laguda.
Both red and white Kaner varieties have bitter, pungent and astringent taste. These are helpful in healing of wounds and also helpful in Leprosy, Skin Infections, itching and worms. It acts as a poison in overdose and when impure.
References
The Bhavprakash nighantu with elaborated Hindi commentary by Padmashri prof. K.C. Chunekar, edited by Late G.S. Pandey: edition of 1998: gudchayadi varga; verse 82-84, page no-314-316.
Properties and Practical Uses of Nerium indicum
Nerium indicum has so many medicinal properties as bitter, acrid, anthelmintic, adaptogenic, analgesic, aphrodisiac anticancer:, anti-inflammatory: stomachic, febrifuge, diuretic astringent, emetic, expectorant, cardio tonic, anticancer etc.
It is an efficient useful treatment in conditions like snake bites, ulcers, cardiac diseases, asthma, renal and vesical calculi, chronic stomach diseases, skin related problems, joint pains, leprosy, cancer, etc.
- It can act as an abortifacient: causing abortion.
- It is good for relieving pain.
- It is also useful in prevention or treatment of cancer.
- It benefits in reduction of inflammation.
- It also acts as an antibacterial, antiseptic agent.
- It also provides relief as it is a good antiulcer.
- It has a Bradycardic effect as it can slow the heart rate.
- It has effects as a CNS Depressant which slows brain activity.
- It can induce vomiting required in certain cases.
- It is an Emmenagogue which can stimulate or increase menstrual flow.
- It is a good fungicide, insecticide, larvicide, parasiticide, and rodenticide.
Part Used
Root/ root bark
Dosage
Powder : 30-125 mg per day, it is the maximum dose.
Cautions
- This herb is a cardiac toxic therefore it should not be used without the advice of a doctor.
- It is not safe for children so keep this herb out of sight and reach of children.
- It is also not safe in case of pregnant and lactating mothers and even for external application.
- Accidental oral intake may result in severe poisonous symptoms.
