Lobelia is used as a natural remedy to quit smoking. However, this plant has contraindications and side effects. Meet them here:
Known scientifically as Lobelia inflata, lobelia is an annual or biennial plant that grows 6-40 inches (15-100 cm) tall, with stems covered in tiny hairs. Lobelia leaves are typically three inches (8 cm) long and are ovate and toothed. It has delicate and elegant flowers, which can be purple, pink, white and blue.
For most of its history, the lobelia it was used medicinally by many Native American tribes. The Cherokee tribe crushed the root and dried the leaves, smoking the mixture to relieve coughs and chest pains. The Iroquois tribe used lobelia to treat venereal disease, ulcers, and leg sores. The Ravens used it for religious ceremonies.
In the 18th century, lobelia was brought to Europe, where Samuel Thomson, a botanist and quack, began using the herb medicinally, namely to treat fevers, rheumatism, and the common cough. However, Thomson faced a great deal of scrutiny over this practice, as lobelia is toxic when taken in excess, and he was charged with the murder of Ezra Lovette by poisoning, for which he was later acquitted.
In the 19th century, doctors began to recommend lobelia as a way to eliminate toxins from the body through the threw up.
Economic data The United States remains the largest producer of lobelia, and the plant is grown commercially for medicinal purposes only. Great Britain is the largest market for lobelia, importing over 30 million pounds each year, although it is popular in other parts of Western Europe as well.
Other uses
Insect repellent. The grass can be burned to act as insect repellentavoiding insects such as mosquitoes.
Gardening. Some North American gardeners also grow it as an ornamental plant.
.
Health benefits of lobelia
Lobelia contains resins, lipids, gums, and alkaloids that, when combined, can help relax muscles. This led to the traditional uses of lobelia, especially its role as a nicotine substitute.
Lobelia medicinal uses include:
induce vomiting. Its emetic properties can induce vomiting, which can be useful when you need to expel harmful substances from the body.
Help expel phlegm from the respiratory system. Through its expectorant properties, lobelia promotes the secretion, liquefaction or expulsion of phlegm of the respiratory system, which clears the airways.
Additionally, lobelia has numerous traditional medicinal purposes, including:
Relieve Tobacco Extraction. Lobelia can reduce the effects of nicotine in the body and increase the release of dopamine, the drug that controls rewards and the pleasure center of the brain. For this reason, lobelia is often used for break the smoking habit.
treat depression With his ability to release dopamine to the brain, has been shown to combat depressive symptoms
Stop asthma attacks. Lobelia was traditionally used to treat asthma, and some traditional herbalists still use it for this purpose. However, there is no research to support this use.
.
How does it work
Lobelia contains fourteen different compounds that give it its medicinal properties, the most frequent being the oblique line, the gums, the resins, the lipids, the essential oil and the lobolic acid. Of the numerous alkaloids found in lobelia, the most pertinent is lobeline, which directly stimulates the stomach and induces vomiting.
Lobelia’s medicinal properties have also been shown to be helpful in reducing tobacco use by alleviating the negative effects of tobacco withdrawal. Its active compound, lobeline, is believed to bind to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and may inhibit the blood-brain barrier (BBB) amine transporter.
Maybe you are interested in knowing
Lobelia also acts as an antidepressant by hindering cell proliferation in the hippocampus and inducing the release of dopamine in the brain. herbs with properties expectorants they are eucalyptus, myrtle and rust.
.
Contraindications and side effects
Lobelia should be consumed under medical supervision, as it can be potentially toxic when taken orally. Side effects may include profuse sweating, nauseavomiting, diarrhea, tremors, rapid heartbeat, mental confusion, seizures, hypothermia, and coma.
People suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, sensitivity to tobacco, paralysis, seizure disordershortness of breath, or recovery from shock should not take lobelia.
Lobelia can worsen the symptoms of ulcer sufferers, Crohn’s diseaseirritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or intestinal infections.
Women who are pregnant or nursing should not take lobelia.
.
Also know
Devil’s Claw: Benefits and contraindications
Benefits of mango butter and contraindications
Hamamelis: Benefits and contraindications
Rhodiola tea benefits and contraindications
Linden: benefits and contraindications
video of the month