There is no universal agreement on the correct name for this species. Some modern treatments use the name Cascabela thevetia (L.) Lippold for this species (it is treated here as a synonym)[].

Common Name:

General Information

Thevetia peruviana is an evergreen shrub or small tree usually growing 3 - 8 metres tall with a short bole[, ].
The plant is widely used in folk medicine in Central and South America, many of these uses having also spread to South-East Asia. In the Philippines and India the plant has become a household remedy for several ailments[]. It is sometimes cultivated for medicinal use and sold in local markets; it is also often grown as an ornamental and hedge, being valued for its floral display[, ].

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant produce a latex which is highly poisonous; the kernels are the most toxic[]. The active principles are cardiac glycosides of the cardenolide type; symptoms of poisoning mainly involve the cardiovascular system (including various types of arrhythmia, e.g. Sinus bradycardia) and the gastro-intestinal tract. Vomiting is the common symptom in poisoning in about 30% of all cases. Ischaemic changes occur in about 40% of the cases, as well as palpitations in about 10%. The most serious and immediate cause leading to death is peripheral vascular failure[].
The seeds have been used for committing suicide, homicide, as an ordeal poison, a rat poison and as an arrow poison when hunting[, ].
The wood and bark may be employed as fish poison[, ].

Botanical References

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Range

Probably originally native to Mexico, the plant is naturalized throughout tropical America.

Habitat

Evergreen, lowland or riparian forests at elevations from 50 - 200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of tropical, lowland areas.
Succeeds in full sun or light shade[]. Prefers a fertile, well-drained loam with additional leaf mould, though plants can succeed in rather poor and dry soils as wel[, ]. Tolerant of moderately saline soils[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
The plants are shallow-rooted and should be sited in positions protected from strong winds[, ].
Stem tips of young plants are pinched out to encourage a bushy habit, and established specimens are pruned after flowering or shortly before the growing season to shape and restrict size[].
The plant can flower and fruit all year round in equatorial climates[, ]. The flowers are fragrant[].
The ripe fruits remain on the plant for a long time[].
The plant responds well to coppicing[].
In the West Indies the seeds are called 'lucky nuts' and 'luckseeds', and are sometimes carried in the pocket to bring good luck, doubtless because of their curious form[].

Edible Uses

The fruit pulp is sometimes eaten[]. The black fruit is a depressed-globose to turnip-shaped drupe 3 - 4cm in diameter, containing 2 - 4 very poisonous seeds within the stony endocarp[].

After purification, the originally poisonous seed oil is suitable for consumptiion[].

Medicinal

Thevetia peruviana is commonly used in domestic medicine in tropical America and also in tropical Asia. However, care should be taken in all medical applications of this plant, especially where it is taken internally, since a high dosage may result in poisoning[].
The main medically active compounds found in the plant are a range of cardiac glycosides[]. Of these glycosides, peruvoside has been investigated most thoroughly. It has been shown to exert a quick and powerful positive inotropic effect, comparable to that of ouabain. In therapeutic doses, peruvoside produced a fall in right atrial pressure, and a rise in the cardiac output[]. Large-scale clinical trials with 1,600 patients showed that all forms of cardiac insufficiency can be successfully treated with peruvoside[]. Special indications include cardiac insufficiency with bradycardia, latent cardiac insufficiency, insufficiency of the senile heart, and cor pulmonala chronicum. Peruvoside was also beneficial in the treatment of cardiac insufficiency subsequent to myocardial infarction[].
Of the other glycosides, the mixture thevetin is practically identical in effect with ouabain, and about one-eighth as potent (the lethal dose for a cat being 0.85 mg/kg). It has effectively been used clinically in cases of cardiac decompensation, although its effective dose is rather close to its toxic dose[].
Thevetin A is far less potent than thevetin, and as a cardiac glycoside the potency of neriifolin is only moderate[].
The pure kernel oil has shown strong bactericidal activity in trials, especially against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus[].
A range of flavanone glycosides and flavonol glycosides have been isolatedfrom the leaves. Several of them have shown inhibitory effects against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and HIV-1 integrase[].

The latex is applied to decayed teeth to relieve toothache, it is used to treat chronic sores and ulcers, and is applied to soften corns and calluses[, ].

The bark is a powerful antiperiodic and febrifuge[].
A tincture of the bark has been used as a febrifuge[]. In large doses it is said to be a violent purgative and emetic[]. It is used in the treatment of malarial fever and snake-bites[].
Applied externally, the juice of the macerated bark is used for treating sores[].

A decoction prepared from the bark or leaves is applied in regulated doses to loosen the bowels, as an emetic, and is said to be an effective cure for intermittent fevers[299. 310]. Water in which the leaves and bark have been macerated is taken to cure amenorrhoea[].

The seeds may be used as a purgative when treating rheumatism and dropsy and as an abortifacient[, ]. A decoction of the seeds acts as a violent emetic, hinders respiration, and may cause paralysis of the heart[]. The pulverized seeds are sometimes an ingredient of suppositories to alleviate haemorrhoids[].
The oil from the kernel is applied topically to treat skin complaints[, ]. Other reports state its use as an abortifacient[].

An infusion of the roots is taken to treat snakebites[].
The roots are made into a plaster which is applied to tumours[].

Very small quantities of the fruits are used in ointments and liniments[].

A decoction of the leaves is taken to treat jaundice, fever and as a purgative for intestinal worms[].
The leaf sap is used as eye drops and nose drops to cure violent headaches; it is also dropped in the nostrils to revive people who have fainted, and as a cure for colds[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be trimmed and makes a useful hedge of living fence[]. Any trimming is best carried out after flowering or shortly before the growing season in order to induce profuse flowering[].
The plant is grown to provide shade and for soil conservation[]. It shades out neighbouring plants and its litter is allelopathic (releasing substances that discourage the growth of other plants)[].

Other Uses

A latex is obtained from the plant[].

An oil obtained from the seeds is used for industry and in soap making[].

The kernels act as a contact poison; mashed with a soap solution they are used as an insecticide[].
The bark and seeds are used to poison rats[]

The wood is white[]. It is used to make tool handles and building poles[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a short viability and is best sown within 3 months of harvest[]. Up to 80% germination rates can be expected[].
Semi-ripe cuttings of terminal shoots[].

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