You must have seen this flower near temples, gardens, or parks in your locality. You might have even heard about the Kaner flower because of its medicinal properties. The scientific name of Kaner is Cascabela Thevetia. Kaner is an evergreen shrub or small tree that grows up to five meters in height. Its flowers grow as clusters at the end of each branch. It is distributed all over the Philippines, India, and Nepal and is also found in the Mediterranean region, Iran, the Indian subcontinent, and southern China. The flowers of the Kaner are red, yellow, white, and pink and have some religious importance to Hindus. be fed in a particular way. However, giving them a balanced diet of fertilisers during their developing.
All parts of the Kaner plant are toxic to humans, pets, and livestock, but a few bird species feed on them. This plant is poisonous because it contains glycosides, chemicals that can affect the heart and slow the heart rate. Many cases of intentional and accidental poisoning in humans are known. In South India and Srilanka, swallowing the seeds of Kaner is one of the most preferred methods for suicides in villages where they are grown in abundance.
What is Kaner flower?
Kaner is evergreen tropical shrub. The plant produces attractive Kaner flowers that bloom during early summer season up to fall. They appear in clusters of single or double flowers. The varieties are available in varied colours like pink and red.
What is Kaner flower called in English?
Kaner flower is referred to as Nerium in English. Nerium, the botanical name of which is Nerium oleander, is a shrub or a small tree that grows in temperate and subtropical regions.
Why is the Kaner flower useful despite being toxic?
Kaner flowers have some antibacterial and antiseptic properties and are rich in many other medicinal properties. Kaner is used in making medicines for leprosy, inflammation, wound, heart, etc. Kaner leaves also have medicinal properties, just like their flowers.
People usually make a paste from its leaves and apply it on pain, often using it in wounds and herpes-itching. Yellow Kaner, in particular, is used in Ayurveda to cure many problems, such as wound healing, skin problems, etc. The yellow Kaner is also used in the form of bark and root. You can grind the bark and roots and apply them on the skin, wounds, etc. The lava of Kaner is used in the form of decoction.
Kaner Flower: Properties
- This evergreen shrub can be used in various ways in coastal and southern landscaping. Poor soil, high pH, salt, spray, and even extreme pruning can promote its growth.
- Despite being deadly, this plant is employed in producing medications to treat heart disease, indigestion, cancer, malaria, etc., as well as to induce abortion. Additionally, it is used to treat skin conditions.
- On highways, Kaner bushes may have been planted in large numbers. It is because they are typically grown as road dividers and have the capacity to absorb heat that is reflected off of walls, pavements, roads, and even drought. Kaner, though, has trouble enduring the cold. Therefore, if you reside in a region with a milder climate, you may grow this plant in containers and keep it inside your home when the weather turns chilly.
- Due to its resistance to heat and drought, it can be found in many Indian states.
- In gardens and parks in temperate areas, it is grown as an attractive plant and planted as a sizable blooming shrub or small decorative tree.
- It is a highly showy and adaptable shrub that provides the garden with various colours.
Is the Kaner plant auspicious to plant indoors?
Planting a Kaner plant, also known as Cascabela Thevetia, predominantly yellow Kaner, inside the house is quite auspicious. Although growing a Kaner plant indoors has several advantages, safety measures must be followed due to the plant’s toxicity.
The Kaner flower is revered in India as particularly lucky since it spreads good vibes. The Kaner plant is considered highly auspicious to the prosperity of the house by Vastu Shastra specialists. Hinduism holds that Lord Vishnu resides in yellow Kaner, whereas Mata Laxmi is mainly associated with the white Kaner flowers.
Having a Kaner plant inside the house looks quite beautiful and enhances your house’s beauty. Kaner is an evergreen plant that blooms throughout the year. So you will see beautiful flowers in your garden all year round. However, care should be taken to keep it away from children as it has poisonous seeds and contains poison inside the stem of the earlobe.
Religious importance of Kaner flowers
Its flowers are used for religious purposes in India. For example, its white flowers are offered to Mother Laxmi (goddess of wealth), and Lord Vishnu is believed to reside in yellow Kaner.
How to grow Kaner flower?
- Plant the Kaner plant during cooler seasons, like spring or autumn.
- Ensure proper protective attire and gloves are worn while handling Kaner flowers to prevent direct contact.
- When planting in the ground, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball in both width and depth.
- Enhance the soil with compost to improve its texture.
- Gently free the roots in the ball and position the plant in the ground with the top of the root ball level with the ground surface.
- Refill the hole with soil and compact it by stepping lightly to eliminate air pockets, followed by watering.
- Allocate adequate spacing of 4 to 12 feet between each plant.
- For container cultivation, select sizeable pots ranging from 14 to 24 inches with proper drainage holes.
- Mitigate caterpillar issues by situating plants away from structures, such as fences, that facilitate cocooning.
Kaner Flower: Care tips
The Kaner plant can thrive in any environment, including poor soil, extreme heat, and severe pruning. When planted in the garden, Kaner plants require little maintenance. The ideal settings for their growth are:
Kaner Flower: Sunlight requirements
These vegetation adore the light. In full sun, they grow well and blossom more profusely. However, in the shade, they often produce fewer flowers and leaves. To ensure that they have enough energy to grow lovely blossoms, you should keep them in a location where they can enjoy six to seven hours of direct sunlight daily.
Kaner Flower: Soil requirements
Kaner plants may grow in virtually any type of soil. However, planting it in well-draining soil will be advantageous as it would encourage better plant growth.
Kaner Flower: Water requirements
Regular watering is required for the Kaner plant. Despite being tolerant of drought, giving it regular watering would only enhance its beauty, especially during the dry season. It needs watering once or twice a week. Never moisten a plant’s top layer of soil; doing so could cause the leaves to turn yellow.
Kaner Flower: Temperature and humidity requirements
Since Kaner plants are tropical shrubs, they prefer warm, muggy weather. You can water the plants’ leaves if they grow outside, such as in a garden or on a balcony. When growing plants indoors, you can use various artificial techniques to raise the humidity level surrounding the plants. For example, you may add a humidifier, put it inside the house with other plants, or grow it in a pot and then put it in a tray with pebbles. These methods can assist in keeping the area around the plant humid.
Kaner Flower: Fertiliser requirements
These plants are so adaptable that you can grow them in unfavourable conditions. They don’t need to be fed in a particular way. However, giving them a balanced diet of fertilizers during their developing stage will produce more full blossoms. For optimum plant development during the height of summer, you can feed the plant a high-potassium fertiliser.
Kaner Flower: Pruning requirements
The optimum time to prune Kaner is immediately following bloom, as they bloom beautifully when pruned at the proper time. Next year, the plant will produce more flowers if you do it this way. Even if it is a tall, skinny Kaner tree, continuous trimming in this pattern promotes thicker and shaggier growth. Many individuals typically remove more than one-third of the plant every two to three years to encourage new growth. Inspecting for dead or damaged branches should come before any annual pruning. It’s a good idea to cut away only one-third of the bush at once. To promote new development and a good bloom, cutting the plant’s branches right above the leaf node is crucial.
What is the use of Kaner?
Kaner flowers have multiple uses, especially for their medicinal properties. Further, they have great cultural significance as these flowers are considered auspicious and offered to the deities. We discuss some of the kaner plant benefits below.
Kaner flower: Uses
- It is used as an ornamental plant
- It is used in temples to be offered to deities
- Helps in biological pest control
- It helps to relieve joint pain
- Relieves constipation
- Prevents hair whitening
- Kaner prevents hair whitening
- It strengthens your teeth
- Helps in treating syphilis
- It helps in removing venom in cases of snake bite and thereby helps in treating that person
- It can be used to overcome opiate addiction
- Yellow Kaner helps to treat paralysis
Kaner flower: Benefits and treatments
Apply Kaner leaves on Ringworm
Kaner leaves have antibacterial characteristics that will aid in killing ringworm germs and promoting healing. Herpes scarring is also lessened by its antibacterial qualities. Ringworm can be cured with long-term use. You can utilise Kaner leaves without making a paste to do so. It merely takes applying the Kaner leaves to your body after they have been cooked in coconut oil. It will help remove Ringworm from your body’s internal sources.
Beneficial in joint pain
You can use the paste of Kaner leaves for joint pain. Kaner has anti-inflammatory properties that can relieve joint pain and swelling. This coating also provides relief to the bones from the inside. Just take the fresh leaves of Kaner and grind it, add some olive oil, and heat it. Apply it on the painful joints and massage with light hands. Your joint pain will gradually heal with this.
Heals old wounds
Kaner leaves can heal old wounds. Grind the leaves of Kaner, mix a little aloe vera, and apply this paste to your damage. It will help to heal new wounds faster, and using it continuously will also heal old wounds.
Reduces itching
Kaner leaves have skin-soothing properties and help in reducing itching. Cook the Kaner leaves in a clove or mint oil, then keep them aside. Apply it on the itchy area, which will help reduce itching quickly.
On insect bites
The antibacterial properties of Kaner leave help to reduce infection. In addition, it can reduce the rash and itching caused by insect bites and can provide relief from them. Cook Kaner in coconut oil, mix a little black pepper and apply it to your skin.
Cures fever
People with intermittent fever can use Kaner flower to reduce it. Taking a decoction made from Kaner leaves and bark will help in intermittent fever to go away forever.
Cures constipation
Yellow Kaner can help cure constipation. Consume a decoction made of yellow Kaner leaves and bark. It will help to cure constipation.
Cures skin problems
Many skin-related issues can be resolved with Yellow Kaner. For example, applying a paste of yellow Kaner bark to the skin can help people bothered by warts or blemishes. Additionally, this ointment can aid with ringworm removal. Kaner can also be used to treat herpes. Apply a paste you’ve made with it and milk on your face. It will aid in minimising facial imperfections.
Menstrual problems
Yellow Kaner can be used to relieve menstrual problems. You can use yellow Kaner flowers in the form of a decoction to get relief from pain and discomfort arising during periods.
Cures malaria
Yellow Kaner helps to overcome the problem of malaria. People with epilepsy can also get some relief with the help of yellow Kaner. However, it affects different bodies in different ways, so you should consume it only on the advice of a doctor.
Other benefits
- Kaner prevents hair whitening
- It strengthens your teeth
- Helps in treating syphilis
- It helps in removing venom in cases of snake bite and thereby helps in treating that person
- It can be used to overcome opiate addiction
Kaner flower: Toxicity
The seeds of Kaner are toxic and can cause a risk of death if consumed. Its poison is like the drug Digoxin, which slows down the heartbeat. One Kaner seed is equivalent to one hundred digoxin tablets. It first slows down the heartbeat and then eventually stops it completely.
Knowing the correct dosage of yellow Kaner before consuming it is very important. If taken in excess, the person may have problems like vomiting, headache, diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea, weakness, severe heart problems, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to have the proper knowledge and guidance before consuming it.
Is Kaner plant good for home?
You can grow Kaner plant at home as the plant needs minimum maintenance. Moreover, Kaner flowers are considered to be auspicious. Thus, they can make a great addition to your home garden.
FAQs
Can we keep Kaner plant at home?
Yes, it can be planted indoors.
Can I use Kaner's leaves, roots, or flowers for medicinal purposes?
Yes. You can use this plant for medicinal purposes but only under the guidance of a doctor, as it can cause some side effects too.
What is the best time to grow Kaner?
Kaner blooms throughout the year. However, the best time to plant it is in summer.
Is Kaner flower poisonous?
Yes, Kaner plants are poisonous. They contain a toxin called cymarin, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and even death if consumed in large quantities.
Are Kaner flowers edible?
No, Kaner flowers are not edible. But you can use them for medicinal purposes by making them into a paste or decoction out of them.
What are the benefits of Kaner plant?
Kaner flowers are used in the preparation of medicines for various purposes, including treating conditions such as leprosy, wounds, inflammation and heart-related issues. Additionally, Kaner leaves possess medicinal properties similar to their flowers.
What is the common name of Kaner plant?
The most common name for the Kaner plant is Nerium oleander. It is called this due to its superficial resemblance to the unrelated olive tree (Olea oleander).
Is Kaner and oleander same?
Yes, the Kaner plant is commonly known as Nerium oleander or simply oleander. It belongs to the subfamily Apocynoideae of the dogbane family Apocynaceae and is grown worldwide as an ornamental and landscaping plant.
Is oleander plant good for Vastu?
According to Vastu beliefs, growing the oleander plant around a home is considered to bring bad luck and harm. Therefore, it is generally not recommended in Vastu practices.
What poison is in Kaner?
Kaner, specifically its seeds, contains highly toxic cardiac glycosides such as thevetins A, B, and nerifolin.
What colours are Kaner flowers?
Kaner flowers come in various colours, including red, pink and white.
