Emetics lobelia

Lobelia is stated to possess respiratory stimulant, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, expectorant, and emetic properties. Traditionally, it has been used for bronchitic asthma, chronic bronchitis, and specifically for spasmodic asthma with secondary bronchitis. It is also used topically for myositis and rheumatic nodules. 

Lobelia inflata has for many years been one of the most widely discussed and hotly debated articles used in medicine. While many herbalists contend that it is the most valuable of all botanic remedies, official medicine in England classifies it as a poison. Herbalists who use Lobelia insist that it is most certainly not a poison, and that it can be administered by them in large doses with perfect safety. They use it chiefly as an emetic, and, as its administration brings about the prompt removal of accumulations of mucus, the action in bronchial complaints is speedy and beneficial. Coffin s comments in this connection are enthusiastic "Lobelia is decidedly the most certain and efficient emetic known, and is at the same time safe in its operations. Unlike most emetics from the mineral kingdom, it produces its specific effect without corroding the stomach or producing morbid irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane of this organ, which are so common in the use of antimony, zinc, and the sulphate of copper. Lobelia may emphatically be said to operate in unison with the laws of life. "... 

EMETICS Bring about the evacuation of stomach contents by vomiting.—Bitter Root, Lobelia, Vervain... 

Isolates from Indian tobacco (Lobelia inf lata L.), as a crude mixture of bases, have been recognized as expectorants. The same (or similar) fractions were also used both in the treatment of asthma and as emetics. The principal alkaloid in L inflata is lobeline (49), an optically active tertiary amine which, unusual among alkaloids, is reported to readily undergo mutarotation, a process normally associated with sugars. Interestingly, it appears that the aryl-bearing side chains in (49) are derived from phenylalanine (25, R = H) (40). 

Lobelia inflata (Indian tobacco) contains lobeline and other pyridine alkaloids. It has been used as an emetic, antidepressant, respiratory stimulant, an aid to smoking cessation, and a treatment for metamfetamine abuse (1). 

Lobelia The leaves and tops of Lobelia inflata, commonly known as Indian tobacco or emetic weed. Used as an antispasmodle and expectorant. 

Eclectic Emetic Powder. Ipecacuanha and lobelia, of each 2 ounces blood root, I ounce. Powder, and mix well. Take half A tea-spoonful every 20 minutes till it operates. 

Lobelia. Indian tobacco wild tobacco emetic herb asthma wsed bladder pod vomit wort. Dried leaves and tops of Lobelia inflate L., Lobetiaeeae. (The seeds are also used.) Habit. Canada, U.S. ConstiL Leaves and lops chiefly lobeline, also lobelidine, lobelanine, lobelamdine. and other alkaloids. Seeds lobeline, fixed oil. 

Lobelia has been known as an emetic for almost two centuries and has been employed for the relief of asthma for nearly 150 years. 

Indian tobacco (Lobelia inflata), also known as pukeweed , has been used for centuries by the Penobscots people in the Northeastern United States and the Canadian Maritimes, as an entheogenic and emetic drug, before Samuel Thompson (1769-1843), an herbalist from New Hampshire, claimed it as a valuable remedy. The roots were used for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, e.g. syphilis, and skin diseases were medicated with poultices from smashed leaves. By parenteral application, Indian tobacco is effective against oedema and asthma. Thus, Lobelia inflata was found since 1820 in many pharmacopoeias. 

Lobelia inflata (Campanulaceae) grows wild in the U.S.A., the eastern and central part of Canada, and Kamchatka. The leaf has been used by Native Americans as an emetic since ancient times. From this plant, a large number of piperidine and Af-methylpiperidine derivatives were obtained, and the main alkaloids are lobehne, lobelanine, and lobelanidine [1,2]. 

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