The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s12.t7.70

c5.s12.t7.70

Two varieties of Karavira are described in the Bhávaprakása, namely, white and red flowered. The properties of both are identical, their roots being regarded as poisonous when taken internally and useful in skin diseases and inflammatory affections. The *Nerium odorum* has several synonyms in Sanskrit signifying horse-killer. It would seem from this, that the poisonous roots were used for destroying horses.