| Lobelia
inflata
Campanulaceae
Common name: Pukeweed, Indian tobacco.
Habitat: Eastern USA, cultivated elsewhere.
Part used: Aerial parts.
Collection: The entire plant above
ground should be collected at the end of the flowering time,
between August and September. The seed pods should be collected
as well.
Constituents:
- Piperidine alkaloids, mainly lobeline,
withlobelanidine, lobelanine, and minor amounts of norlobelanine(=isolobelanine),
lelobanidine, lovinine, isolobinine, lobinanidine andothers
- Chelidonic acid
Actions: Anti-asthmatic, anti-spasmodic,
expectorant, emetic, nervine.
Indications: Lobelia is one of the
most useful systemic relaxants available to us. It has a general
depressant action on the central and autonomic nervous system
and on neuro-muscular action. It may be used in many conditions
in combination with other herbs to further their effectiveness
if relaxation is needed. Its primary specific use is in bronchitic
asthma and bronchitis. An analysis of the action
of the alkaloids present reveal apparently paradoxical effects.
Lobeline is a powerful respiratory stimulant, whilst isolobelanine
is an emetic and respiratory relaxant, which will stimulate
catarrhal secretion and expectoration whilst relaxing the
muscles of the respiratory system. The overall action is a
truly holistic combination of stimulation and relaxation!
Priest & Priest tell us that it
is a "general systemic relaxant with diffusive stimulation
- best where arterial action is strong. Equalizes circulation
and relieves vascular tension. Vaso-motor stimulant -increases
the activity of vegetative processes. Influences glandular
system and respiratory tubuli. Contra-indicated
in nervous prostration, shock and paralysis. Of brief continuance
in asthenic conditions." They give the following specific
indications: Dislocations, trauma and hernias.
Spasmodic and membranous coup, pertussis,
bronchial asthma, bronchitis and pleurisy.
Hepatitis, jaundice, nausea and hepatic
congestion. High blood pressure, intestinal
obstruction and neurasthenia.
Ellingwood considered it specific
for "irritable, spasmodic and oppressed breathing, and in
respiratory from exalted nerve force and nerve irritation.
It is contra-indicated in general relaxation and in dyspnoea
from enlarged or fatty heart, or from hydropericardium, or
enfeebled heart, with valvular incompetence. It is specific
in threatened spasm with exalted nerve action - a high degree
of nerve tension with great restlessness and excitability,
flushed face and contracted pupils. It is a prompt emetic
in full doses." The high regard that the eclectics held Lobelia
in is reflected by his recommendation for the following pathologies:
spasmodic asthma, whooping cough, spasmodic
croup, membranous croup, infantile convulsions,
puerperal eclampsia, epilepsy, tetanus,
hysterical paroxysms, hysterical convulsions,
rigid os uteri, diptheria, tonsillitis,
pneumonia.
For a more detailed discussion of this important
plant please refer to pg. 235- pg. 242 of Ellingwood's American
Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, and pg.
1199 - 1205 of King's American Dispensatory.
Combinations: It will combine well
with Cayenne, Grindelia, Pill-bearing Spurge, Sundew and Ephedra
in the treatment of asthma.
Preparation and dosage: Infusion:
pour a cup of boiling water onto l/4 to l/2 teaspoonful of
the dried leaves and let infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This should
be drunk three times a day. Tincture: take l/2 ml of the tincture
three times a day.
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