Oleandrin: Trump allies pitch extract from poisonous plant to fight Covid

Experts raise concern over compound that has not been proven safe but could reach public as dietary supplement

Allies of Donald Trump have promoted a plant extract called oleandrin to people seeking to ward off Covid-19. The plant the extract is derived from, oleander, is poisonous and there is no proof the compound is either safe or effective to treat or prevent Covid-19, experts say.

But unlike other unproven and potentially dangerous Covid-19 cures" pitched by Trump and his supporters, including the prescription antimalarial hydroxychloroquine, experts fear this compound could easily reach the public as a dietary supplement.