Jul 02 2009
The Health Risks & Benefits of the Oleander Plant
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Warning: Oleander extract is made from a highly-lethal, poisonous plant. The following post is meant to offer exciting insight into emerging scientific evidence of its use as a natural remedy. Taking this extract without the guidance of an expert can lead to serious health complications, including death.
Recently I have had alot of questions regarding the benefits and risks of taking Oleander Extract for cancer as well as the bird or swine flu and other conditions. I think that this plant has amazing properties and is definitely worth writing a post about.
I do, however, recommend anyone wanting to take this herb do their own research. Sometimes the most poisonous plants give us the most rapid health benefits but must be used with extreme caution.
The Origins of Oleander
Known in ancient texts as “the desert rose,” historical references show that 15th century B.C. Mesopotamians trusted in the healing benefits of oleander extracts. From a remedy for hangovers to a herb studied for cancer, the Babylonians, Romans, Arabs and ancient Greeks alike used this herbal extract for a variety of health concerns.[1]
Oleander, also known as laurier rose, dogbane and rosebay, is native to the Western Himalayas. It is an incredibly hardy, adaptable plant which grows thick and green in mountainous climates.
Quickly growing, this plant bears clusters of lovely pinkish-white and red flowers in the spring time. Traditionally, oleander leaf has been used to treat a number of health conditions. If you live in the south, chances are you or your neighbors may have some growing in the yard.
Modern studies show that while no single chemical component of the extract can be stated as the sole source of its health benefits, the powerful activity of the plant comes from a highly complex amalgamation of components held within the combined form of the extract. These components work synergistically to boost and stimulate the human immune system, offering support for a wide variety of health concerns.
List of Possible Health Benefits of Oleander
Oleander also works as a low-level toxicant to boost immune function in individuals in the following ways:
- Contains tremendous immune boosting action
- Inhibits angiogenesis
- Inhibits NF-kB factor in cancer cells
- Causes apoptosis in cancerous cells (natural cell death)
- Causes and increased rates of autophagic cancer cell death when tested on pancreatic cancer
Today, scientists are looking into the possible health benefits of heavily diluted oleander [1]:
- Reducing the symptoms of leukemia
- Helping with muscle cramps
- Natural support for asthma, epilepsy and paralysis
- Help for skin conditions such as eczema
- Powerful all natural organic insecticide
- Usefulness in aiding heart conditions
- Natural support for diabetes
- Possible support for the HIV virus
- Usefulness in increasing healing times for wounds, when crushed and applied topically
- Effective natural support for a wide variety of cancers
- Powerful immune-system stimulator
- May possess the ability to reduce cancerous tumors
- Promoting normal menstrual cycles
- Aiding the body in the fight against arthritis, psoriasis & hepatitis C
- First natural cancer remedy to show positive treatment results for leiomyosarcoma, one of the most deadly forms of cancers.
Oleander Extract: Did You Know?
The government of South Africa is currently endorsing the use of oleander extract as a treatment for HIV. Similarly, many universities and institutions in the country are following suit, using the extract for the support of cancer patients.[2]
Studies by Doctor Ozel, head of the surgical department at Mugla State Hospital of Turkey, found that oleander extract was useful in treating human cancer patients who had been considered terminal cases by conventional medical therapy.
Oleander: Side Effects & Contraindications
While oleander may possess many healing properties, much like many powerful botanical remedies, this plant can also be deadly when taken or prepared incorrectly. This plant should never be eaten raw, as its raw extract form is highly toxic. One raw leaf has enough poison in it to kill a small child, as well as any pet.
There have been many cases of poisoning and death due to intake of oleander, oleander leaf tea, and its extracts. Even eating honey made from the nectar of the plant can produce dangerous effects.
Due to this fact, supplemental use of this plant should ONLY be done under the guidance of a trained herbalist or doctor, under careful observation and controlled conditions. Similarly, due to the highly toxic nature of the plant, this botanical should only be taken in cases of disease support, and is NOT recommended as a daily supportive health supplement.
If anyone is interested I would only recommend using the Sutherlandia OPC brand. Studies show that Dr. Ozel’s oleander-based remedy was over six times as potent as the most powerful, commercially sold immune-stimulants. This product must be ordered from South Africa, but we usually keep about 20 or so bottles at our office in Houston. If you are interested in purchasing some, call us at 713-476-0016. Unfortunately, we do not sell this on our website.
Please remember, that when it comes to Oleander, do the proper research and check with a trained herbalist or doctor prior to ingesting any supplements with Oleander extract in it.
~ Dr. G
July 7th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Good and informative article. I think you had some good sources (smile). I would differ with your message in only one respect – properly made oleander supplements and extracts (such as the Sutherlandia OPC, which comes in both a liquid extract and capsule version) can be taken safely on a regular basis to keep the immune system boosted and to ward against cancer, hep-c, flu and many other conditions. I know hundreds of people who do just that, including myself.
Thus far, there have been no negative side effects reported, though there sometimes is an initial adjustment period that might involve a bit of nausea, loose stools and mild fever and people who are on prescription blood thinners or have heart conditions should first consult with a qualified naturopathic doctor.
Some interesting positive side effects have been reported, including benefits for diabetes, arthritis, increased male libido, and thicker and faster hair and nail growth.
When oleander extract is prepared it is carefully boiled and filtered according to exact instructions, whether it is the patented medicine Anvirzel from Honduras, the supplements such as the S/OPC or the home remedy version (of course, no one should attempt to make their own without knowing what they are doing).
The process of making oleander removes essentially all of the toxins and only leaves a tiny amount of the cardiac glycosides – foremost of which is oleandrin. Oleandrin does cross assay with digitalis/digoxin, but a normal dose of oleander only contains 1/4oth the amount of cardiac glycosides found in a dose of digitalis.
The cardiac glycosides are non-polar compounds, which means that they are not water soluable – thus the aqueous preparation only gets a tiny amount in the final extract, much as someone might get a tiny amount of broth from boiling a meat bone.
For more information about oleander, including trials, case reports, history and links to PubMed studies, see my Oleander Series of articles at
http://www.tbyil.com/articles.htm
All the best,
Tony Isaacs
author of “Cancer’s Natural Enemy”
host of the 1400 member Yahoo Health Group “oleandersoup”
[Reply to this comment]
TarynK replied on July 7th, 2009:
Thanks for providing great information, Tony. Interesting to know that oleander is not as dangerous as we are made to think and that it can have tremendous healing abilities. I like the fact that it can be made at home, very cheaply, by those who are willing to follow directions. I also notice that the American Cancer Society is linked to in the blog article so I am glad that you provided us with all your factual research.
TK
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