Lobelia inflata

Lobelia inflata

Indian tobacco or puke weed (Lobelia inflata L.) is a herbaceous species belonging to the Campanulaceae family.

Systematics –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Subkingdom Tracheobionta,
Spermatophyta superdivision,
Magnoliophyta division,
Class Magnoliopsida,
Subclass Asteridae,
Order Campanulales,
Campanulaceae family,
Subfamily Lobelioideae,
Genus Lobelia,
Species L. inflata.
The terms are synonyms:
– Dortmanna inflata (L.) Kuntze;
– Dortmannia inflata (L.) Kuntze;
– Lobelia inflata f. albiflora Moldenke;
– Lobelia inflata var. simplex Millsp.;
– Lobelia michauxii Nutt.;
– Rapuntium inflatum (L.) Mill.;
– Rapuntium michauxii (Nutt.) C.Presl.

Etymology –
The term Lobelia was given to the genus by Linnaeus to the Flemish botanist Mathias de Lobel (or de L’Obel, Latinized in Matthaeus Lobelius, 1538-1616), physician and botanist of the king under James I of England, of the court in London, and author of a famous Historia plantarum.
The specific inflata epithet comes from the Latin term ínflo, to swell, due to the swollen appearance.

Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Lobelia inflata is a plant native to eastern North America, from southeastern Canada (Nova Scotia to southeastern Ontario) to Quebec, south to Louisiana and Georgia, and south through the eastern United States to Alabama and west to Kansas.
This plant is present, as well as in its areas of origin, also in Japan and small reports have occurred in other areas.
Its habitat is that of dry and uncultivated lands, open and ruderal areas, roadsides, meadows and slopes.

Description –
Lobelia inflata is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant growing between 15 and 100 cm in height, with stems covered with tiny hairs.
It has a fibrous root, yellowish or purplish in color.
The leaves are 5-8 cm long and 2-3 cm broad, are arranged alternately, with the lower ones petiolate and the upper ones sessile, oblong, toothed and covered with hairs.
The flowers are violet-purple, or pale blue, tinged with yellow inside, produced in terminal clusters. They are numerous and small with a calyx composed of 5 segments and with a small and tubular blue corolla. The anthers of the stamens are united to form a purple crown.
The anthesis begins from mid-summer and continues until autumn.
The fruit is a small two-celled capsule with numerous seeds.
The seeds are small, brown, dehiscent and papery.

Cultivation –
Lobelia inflata is an annual or biennial plant that is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials.
It is also sometimes cultivated as a medicinal plant and is marketed in various countries.
For its cultivation it requires both a sunny position and in light shade.
From a pedological point of view, it grows well in heavy clayey soils and prefers slightly acidic soil.
Propagation is usually done by cuttings or seeds. Seeds are sown in containers in mid-spring or mid-autumn. The seeds take about 2 weeks to germinate.

Customs and Traditions –
Lobelia inflata has a long history of use as a medicinal plant, as an entheogenic, emetic, and cutaneous or respiratory aid.
Native Americans used it for respiratory and muscle ailments, as a purgative and as a ceremonial medicine.
The leaves were chewed and smoked; in addition, the plant was used as a traditional medicinal plant by the Cherokee, Iroquois, Penobscot and other indigenous peoples. The foliage was burned by the Cherokee as a natural insecticide to ward off midges.
However, even though it may be used medicinally, consuming Lobelia causes adverse effects, which may include sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, rapid heartbeat, mental confusion, seizures, hypothermia, coma, or possibly death; furthermore the root is toxic and can be fatal if eaten.
In general, the properties of Lobelia inflata are linked to its use for respiratory problems against asthma and cough. It has an adrenergic (sympathomimetic) effect: it increases the frequency and strength of the heartbeat, acts as a coronary dilator, decreases peristalsis and increases intestinal tone. It causes the release of hepatic glycogen, inhibits bile secretion, decreases diuresis, is a vasoconstrictor and increases blood pressure. Producing an adrenaline rush, it stimulates the central nervous system at the level of the bulbar centers, producing bronchodilation.
This plant is emetic, expectorant, sedative, diaphoretic and mildly laxative.
It also stimulates the frequency of respiration and the dilation of the bronchi.
About twenty alkaloids of the type: piperidine and methylpiperidine have been isolated from this plant, the most important of which is lobeline. Also of note are lobelanin and lobelanidin; furthermore, among the other compounds we include: norlobelanin, lobelanidin and radicalamine and there are also other active ingredients such as flavonoids, terpenes, alkynes and coumarins.
The concentration of lobeline is highest in the seeds.
Another compound, isolobinin has a balsamic, expectorant and anti-asthmatic effect.
Lobeline is an alkaloid that helps to quit smoking. Indicated for asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, respiratory insufficiency (as an emergency drug). Also due to its nicotine-like ganglioplegic effect (acts as an antagonist), its use in nicotine withdrawal has been recommended.
However it is contraindicated with arterial hypertension, pregnancy, breastfeeding. Do not simultaneously prescribe neuroleptics or other drugs with alkaloids.

Method of Preparation –
Of the Lobelia inflata the whole plant is harvested when the lower fruits are ripe and it can be used both fresh and dried.
This plant was a traditional Native North American Indian remedy for many healing conditions.
Nowadays it is primarily used as a potent antispasmodic herb in the treatment of respiratory and muscular ailments, while also acting as a respiratory stimulant, being a valuable remedy for conditions such as bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis.
However, its use should be done with caution and, in any case, with the assistance of a doctor.
In fact, as mentioned, excessive doses cause nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and respiratory failure.
The plant is taken:
– Internally, in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough and pleurisy;
– Externally, in the treatment of pleurisy, rheumatism, tennis elbow, whiplash, boils and ulcers.
Among other uses, remember that by burning this plant its smoke naturally repels insects, especially mosquitoes.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.

Photo source:
– https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/217142237/original.jpg

Attention: The pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not in any way represent a medical prescription; we therefore decline all responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.