After the death of a 24-year-old woman, two Kerala government-controlled temple boards, which together manage 2,500-odd temples in the state, have banned use of oleander (arali) flowers.
Nerium oleander, commonly known as oleander or rosebay, is a plant cultivated worldwide in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions.
It is known for its drought tolerance; the shrub is often used for ornamental and landscaping purposes.
There are different varieties of oleander, each with a flower of a different colour.
An oil prepared from the root bark can be used to treat skin diseases.
Even though it is prescribed in some ayurvedic formulations, oleander’s toxicity has also long been recognised across the world.
Moreover, ingestion or inhalation of smoke from burning oleander can also be intoxicating.