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Thevetia neriifolia
Thevetia neriifolia Juss., (= Thevetia peruviana Pers.), yellow oleander, Apocynaceae, is a cultivated ornamental shrub, with bright yellow flowers (Thevetia neriifolia1), common throughout India.
In India, the tincture of the bark is used as an emetic, cathartic and febrifuge. Leaves are used as a purgative and emetic. The plaster of the roots is applied to tumours. Seeds are an abortifacient and purgative. Also used in rheumatism and dropsy and as alexeteric. All parts of the plant, including the latex, are toxic.
The bitter bark is used in Ghana and Nigeria as a powerful antipyretic. It is an emetic and toxic in excess.
The roots and the yellow kernels contain thevetin or thevetoside (a mixture of thevetin A and thevetin B) and peruvoside. Acetylneriifolin was obtained from the seeds.
Thevetin has a digitalis-like action on the heart and is eliminated rapidly from the system. Peruviside and neriifolin also act similarly. The difficulty is the very narrow difference between the effective and toxic doses.
Aucubine from the leaves and fruits is an effective larvicide and insectcide.