lobelia

lo·be·li·a

(lō-bē'lē-ă),

1. The dried leaves and tops of Lobelia inflata (family Lobeliaceae); lobelia contains several alkaloids: lobeline, lobelamine, lobelanidine, lobelanine, norlobelanine, norlobelanidine, and isolobelanine. The fluid extract and the tincture have been used as an expectorant in asthma and chronic bronchitis.

2. One of a class of alkaloids isolated from lobelia (1).

3. Any plant of the genus Lobelia.

Synonym(s): asthma-weed (1) , wild tobacco

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

lobelia

Herbal medicine
An annual or biennial plant that contains alkaloids (isolobinine, lobelanidine, lobeline, lobinaline), chelidonic acid, fats and resin. Lobelia is emetic and expectorant, and was once used for asthma, respiratory complaints and for tobacco withdrawal syndrome (due to the content of lobeline); it has been applied topically for bites, poison ivy and fungal infections.

Toxic effects
Nausea, vomiting, coma, and possibly death by paralysis; it is deemed it poisonous by the FDA.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.