Thevetia

THEVETIA

Synonyms

Yellow oleander, Lucky nut tree, Trumphet flower.

Biological Source

It is the dried seeds of Thevetia nerifolia Juss, Syn. Thevetia peruviana Merrill., belonging to family Apocynaceae.

Geographical Source

It is a large, evergreen shrub 450–600 cm tall with scented bright yellow flowers in terminal cymes bears triangular fleshy drupes, containing two to four seeds. Leaves are about 10–15 cm in length, linear acute. It is mainly found in the United States, India and West Indies.

Morphology

                                                        Thevetia nerifolia

Chemical Constituents

Thevetia kernels mainly contain cardioactive glycosides, Thevetin A, Thevetin B (cerebroside), peruvoside, Nerrifolin, thevenenin (ruvoside) peruvosidic acid (Perusitin), etc. The sugar units are L-thevetose, and D-glucose.

Uses

Roots of these plants are made in to a paste and applied to tumours. Seeds are used in the treatment of rheumatism, dropsy and also used as abortifacient and purgative. They are toxic in nature.