|
Medicinal Herb Garden - Lobelia inflata L. Family: Campanulaceae Common Names: Indian tobacco, lobelia, bladder pod, emetic weed, vomit wort, wild tobacco Botany indigenous to North America, found in pastures, meadows and cultivated fields of eastern US as far west as Arkansas and Nebraska annual or biennial forms rosette first, that later bolts to produce central stalk, side branches are produced depending on plant size hairy, erect, angular 20 cm to 1 m tall stem, which contains a milky sap leaves are thin and light green, alternate, hairy, ovate, and bluntly serrate produces numerous, small, two-lipped blue flowers in leaf or bract axils, which grow in spike-like racemes; flowers July to October flowers remain open for 3-10 days and are perfect fruit produced are two-celled capsules with hundreds of small brown seeds Agronomy adequate moisture grows well in poor soils Properties and Uses medicinal part is the plant, 50-60% stems, the rest leaves contains 0.2 to 0.5% total alkaloids and one of the chief constituent is lobeline toxic, not recommended as home remedy used for antispasmodic qualities to treat asthma and whooping cough; acts as a stimulant on the respiratory system can act as a nerve depressant in large doses; excessive use can lead to severe depression also used to induce vomiting externally it can be used as a poultice for bruises, insect bites, sprains, and poison ivy irritations used as a substitute for tobacco lobeline sulfate is commercialized as an adjuvant in smoking cessation programs Disclaimer: The text provided on this page is for information only. No recommendations are made or intended to be made regarding cultivation, consumption, or use of medicinal herbs. Source(s) "EmeraldHarley" GreenWitchGarden  Banner and Template by Darigon Back - Home - Next |
 |