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Why Kerala has banned oleander flowers in temple offerings?

Oleander

Kerala government-controlled temple boards have recently banned use of oleander flowers (locally arali) in temple offerings.

Oleander
[ref-The Hindu]

About the Oleander:

  • Oleander is a drought-tolerant plant cultivated worldwide in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. Different varieties of oleander have unique flowers with varying colors.
  • It is also known by its aliases: Nerium oleander, rosebay, arali, and kanaveeram.
  • All parts of the plant are highly toxic due to the presence of cardiac glycosides, including oleandrin, folinerin, digitoxigenin, nerioside, and oleandroside.
  • The effects of oleander toxicity can range from nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and rashes to confusion, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, slow heartbeat, and even death.

Ref: Source

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