Page 14 - Pharmacognosy 02-06203
P. 14
History:
American Indians smoked the leaves as tobacco and used them medicinally for respiratory
ailments. Similar folk uses for asthma, chronic bronchitis, whooping cough and many other
conditions were recorded. Lobelia 's emetic properties were well known in the nineteenth
century.
Action and Uses: ( E. P. 1984 ):
Central stimulant, respiratory stimulant, and anti-asthmatic.
Lobeline is similar in structure to Nicotine which could be employed as an agent to help people to stop
smoking.
Side Effects:
The therapeutic dose of lobeline is very close to the toxic dose. In use of the whole plant, minor
variations in alkaloid content could increase the potential for toxicity.
Safety:
Should not be during pregnancy and lactation.
Should not be used for more than one month consecutively.
12
