Non-fatal oleander poisoning: A case report.

ABSTRACT

In rural India, traditional methods are often employed for treatment of ailments and also for getting rid of unwanted pregnancy. Nerium oleander (common oleander) is one such plant, the leaves and roots of which are used in Indian traditional medicine and the root is often used by rural folk as abortifacient. In this paper, the case of a 20-year old girl who had developed signs and symptoms of oleander poisoning as a result of consumption of a drink prepared by boiling the root of oleander is presented. Even though oleander poisoning has been reported to be a common occurrence in many parts of India, it is a rare occurrence in the State of Manipur.