botanical name(s): Lobelia inflata
synonyms: lobelia, Indian tobacco, gagroot, emetic herb, emetic weed, vomitroot, vomitwort, wild tobacco
part(s) used: above ground parts; best past flowering or use seed pods
qualities: pungent, bitter, warm, neutral
affinities: lungs
actions: respiratory stimulant, anti-asthmatic, antispasmodic, expectorant, emetic at higher dosage
dosage:
» tea: 1/4 to half tsp. herb to 1 cup water; drink 1-3 cups per day
» tincture: 0.6 - 2 ml.
» powder: 200 - 600 mg
pulse:
» spasmodic (Wood)
» "full pulse, doughy" (lacks the marked vibration) (Scudder, p. 153)
therapy: asthma, bronchitis, smoking cessation
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b, 2d
toxicity: 4; see nicotinic toxidrome
» treatment of overdose: activated charcoal; respiratory and vascular support are necessary
» contraindicated in patients with tobacco sensitivity due to the similarity of lobeline to nicotine (Brinker, 1995 & 1996, Brooks)
» acts as an emetic to children, geriatric patients, and weakened individuals; states of depression may be increased due to side effects of lobeline (Felter and Scudder, p. 459, Brinker, 1995)
» contraindicated in a variety of cardiac abnormalities: chronic heart disease, ventricular dilatation, ventricular hypertrophy, valvular deficiencies, idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, fatty degeneration, hydropericarditis, and other structural defects (Ellingwood, pp. 237-240)
» contraindicated in nervous prostration, shock, or paralysis due to secondary depressant effect on preganglionic nicotinic receptors by the alkaloid lobeline (Brinker, 1989)
» contraindicated in dyspnea from chronic heart disease such as an enlarged heart or fatty heart, fluid around heart, enfeebled heart with valvular incompetence, asthma of cardiac decompensation, cardiac sinus arrhythmia or bundle branch block due to interference of lobeline with the heart's neural conductivity (Brooks, Brinker, 1995 & 1996)
» contraindicated in pneumonia or fluid around lungs such as pleural effusion, possibly due to the respiratory stimulant effect of lobeline (Brinker, 1995)
» contraindicated in high blood pressure due to the alpha-adrenergic hypertensive effects of lobeline (Brinker, 1995)
» contraindicated in pregnancy possibly because it relaxes the uterine os and perineal musculature (Brooks, Felter and Lloyd)
» individual sensitivity varies and hypersensitivity reactions may occur (Spoerke, p. 11)
» In contrast to nicotine from Nicotiana tabacum, lobelia's alkaloid, lobeline, serves as a violent nauseant, thus preventing many potential overdoses. Narcotic effects leading to hallucinogenic stupors have been noted (Duke, p. 282)
» handling of fresh leaves may produce contact dermatitis (Duke, p. 282)
constituents: alkaloids: lobeline, lobelidine, lobelamine, isolobelamine; bitter glycosides, volatile oil, resin gum
footnotes
Brinker F. 1995. Botanical Medicine Research Summaries. (from Eclectic Dispensatory of Botanical Therapeutics, vol.11), Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Brinker F. 1989. To Health With Herbs (from Eclectic Dispensatory of Botanical Therapeutics. vol. I, Alstat E (comp.)), Portland, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Brooks S (ed.). 1995. Botanical Toxicology. Protocol J Bot. Med, 1:147-58.
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.
Ellingwood, F. 1898. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Pharmacognosy. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Felter, H. W., and Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Felter, H.W. & Scudder, John K., 1922. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati, Ohio. Reprinted in 1985 by Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR.
Scudder, J.M. 1985. Specific Medication. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Spoerke, DG, Jr., 1980. Herbal Medications. Santa Barbara, CA: Woodbridge Press Publishing Company.