What are the values and uses of oleander?
The oleander has a rounded, neat plant form, with leaves like bamboo and willow, and flowers that resemble peach blossoms yet are not peach blossoms. Its flower colors are fresh and lovely, and it stays evergreen all year round, giving it considerable ornamental value. "Its leaves are sparse like bamboo, its blossoms tender like peach; the country folk never tire of looking at it, facing the tree with a cup of wine." From this ancient poem it can be seen that the oleander has been an ornamental flower deeply loved by people since ancient times. The oleander is now grown in nearly 90 countries, and because it grows quickly it is regarded as a fast-growing landscaping tree species. Algeria has even designated it as its national flower.
The stems and leaves of the oleander contain oleander cardiac glycosides, organic substances from which cardiotonic agents can be extracted, with diuretic, analgesic, and phlegm-clearing and asthma-relieving effects. The stem bark fiber is an excellent blended-spinning raw material, the seeds can be made into lubricating oil, and the stems and leaves can also be used to make insecticides. In particular, it has a strong ability to resist pollution, can absorb harmful gases such as sulfur dioxide and dust, and purifies the air, making it an ideal greening tree species for factory and mining areas. Because the oleander cardiac glycosides contained in the stems and leaves, though not carcinogenic, can be fatal if mistakenly eaten by humans or livestock. Therefore it is best not to plant it in kindergartens, schools, hospitals, residential areas, or courtyards.
Industrial raw material: the seeds of the oleander have an oil content of 58.5% and can be pressed to make lubricating oil.
Textile raw material: the stem bark fiber of the oleander is an excellent blended-spinning raw material.
Medicinal value: modern medical research has shown that oleander leaves contain various substances such as oleandrin and glycosides, while the flowers contain components such as digitalis glycosides, aglycones, and oleandroside. They have significant cardiotonic and diuretic, diaphoretic and emetic, and analgesic effects, similar to those of digitalis, and belong to the slow-acting cardiac glycoside class of drugs. Clinical reports state that a water decoction of oleander, tried on heart failure caused by various reasons, achieved good results. The oleander is bitter and cold, and toxic; it can be used to treat heart disease, heart failure, and amenorrhea, and can also be used for conditions such as bruises, and blood stasis with swelling and pain.
Environmental value: the oleander has the ability to resist smoke, resist dust, resist toxic substances, purify the air, and protect the environment. The leaves of the oleander have a strong resistance to sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, chlorine, and other toxic and harmful gases to the human body. According to measurements, a potted oleander placed 40 m from a pollution source suffered only mild damage, and at 170 m was basically unharmed, still able to bloom normally, with the sulfur content of its leaves more than 7 times higher than that of unpolluted ones. Even if the oleander is covered all over with dust, it can still grow vigorously, and people call it the "environmental guardian."