Is lobelia toxic to humans?

Is lobelia toxic to humans?

When taken by mouth: Lobelia is LIKELY UNSAFE for most people. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, dizziness, and tremors. Large doses of lobelia may cause serious toxic effects including sweating, convulsions, fast heartbeat, very low blood pressure, coma, and possibly death.

Does lobelia contain nicotine?

Traditionally, Lobelia inflata has been used as an antispasmodic, respiratory stimulant, relaxant, emetic, and euphoriant. The plant contains pyridine alkaloids, such as lobeline, lobelanine, and lobelanidine. Lobeline has nicotinic agonist properties (~5% to 20% of the potency of nicotine).

What is the herb lobelia good for?

Lobelia (Lobelia inflata) is a plant used in herbal and homeopathic medicine. Said to expel mucus from the respiratory tract, it is used to treat respiratory problems. In addition, some individuals use lobelia to help them quit smoking, sooth muscles, support alcoholism recovery, and more.

Can you eat lobelia flowers?

You shouldn't go round the garden munching on everything either, as some flowers, such as foxgloves and lobelia, are poisonous (care should also be taken if you suffer from hay fever, asthma or allergies – either avoid eating flowers, or introduce them slowly and in small amounts).

Is lobelia tea safe?

Lobelia is a potentially toxic herb. It can be safely used in small doses (particularly homeopathic doses), but moderate-to-large doses may cause side effects ranging from dry mouth and nausea to convulsions and even coma (see "Precautions" section).

Does lobelia make you sleepy?

Some people take lobelia as a sedative to help them relax. Other people use it to increase sweating. Lobelia is applied to the skin for muscle pain, joint lumps associated with rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatic nodules), bruises, sprains, insect bites, poison ivy, and ringworm.

Can lungs heal after 40 years of smoking?

If you have been smoking for decades it will take your lungs decades to repair themselves, and they will likely never return to normal. That said, stopping smoking after 40 years is better than continuing to smoke for 45 or 50 years.

Does lobelia like full sun?

Annual lobelia will grow nearly anywhere. Lobelia seeds can be sown directly in the garden or indoors for later transplanting. These plants typically require an area with full sun but will tolerate partial shade. They also prefer moist, rich soil.

Is lobelia a sun or shade plant?

Annual lobelia will grow nearly anywhere. Lobelia seeds can be sown directly in the garden or indoors for later transplanting. These plants typically require an area with full sun but will tolerate partial shade. They also prefer moist, rich soil.

Is Lobelia a good ground cover?

Use Lobelia plants in containers, hanging baskets, edging along the flower garden, and as a general ground cover. ... Blue Lobelia flowers make a beautiful ground cover that performs well in full sun to partial shade. Growing Lobelia Erinus from seed is very rewarding!

Are there any real medical uses for Lobelia?

Lobelia is a plant that grows in Canada and the northern U.S. The above ground parts are used to make medicine. Lobelia is used for asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, quitting smoking, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How many species of Lobelia are there in the world?

Lobelia is actually an entire genus of flowering plants that are primarily found in tropical and temperate areas of the world. [1] There are more than 400 species in this genus, all of which go by the common name of lobelias. One of the most popular varieties for its medicinal properties is Lobelia inflata, commonly called Indian tobacco.

Why was the Lobelia plant called Indian tobacco?

American Indians have long revered lobelia. The plant has been called Indian tobacco because it was smoked by North American Indians, to relieve asthma and other respiratory conditions. Early settlers to America learned to value it with the same esteem, and it was considered a panacea of many ailments.

What are the above ground parts of Lobelia used for?

The above ground parts are used to make medicine. Lobelia is used for breathing problems including asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, and shortness of breath (apnea) in newborn infants. Some people take lobelia as a sedative to help them relax. Other people use it to increase sweating.