Indian tobacco (Lobelia inflata) is a plant of the bellflower family. Botanically, the plant has nothing in common with the tobacco family. However, because inflated lobelia, another name for the plant, was smoked by Native Americans, the name Indian tobacco has caught on.
Occurrence and cultivation of Indian tobacco
Indian tobacco (Lobelia inflata) can grow up to one meter tall and is most common on the east coast of North America. Lobelia is an annual plant with a branched and hairy stem. It can grow up to one meter tall and is most common on the east coast of North America. It is also found in the Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes include Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Ontario. Indian tobacco prefers open woodlands for its habitat. There are deciduous leaves on the stems of the plant. These are alternate and either sit directly on the stem or are short stalked. The blade of the leaf is oval or egg-shaped and has a toothed edge. At the end of the stems are racemose inflorescences at flowering time. These contain many flowers. The flowers are hermaphroditic and zygomorphic. This means that it consists of two mirror-image halves. The petals of the flowers are blue or white and about seven millimeters long. The corolla is bilobed, with the upper lip consisting of two lobes and the lower lip consisting of three lobes. During fruit ripening, the flower cup is inflated. Because of its pretty flowers, Indian tobacco is also planted in gardens and parks as an ornamental plant.
Effect and application
The dried herb contains about five percent alkaloids. Alkaloids are plant constituents that are toxic in most cases. Indian tobacco is also one of the poisonous plants. The main alkaloid is lobelin, which is found in the stems as well as the roots and leaves. When the dried herb is smoked or incense, it has a stimulant effect on respiration. That is why the drug used to be used to treat asthma and other respiratory diseases. Apparently, the extract of lobelia paralyzes the nerve endings of the pulmonary vagus and the muscles of the bronchi, so that they relax and the air can flow in and out better. However, the antiasthmatic effect is only seen when taken parenterally, that is, bypassing the intestines. A tea made from Indian tobacco for the treatment of asthmatic complaints would therefore be ineffective. However, Indian tobacco not only has an expectorant and expectorant effect, but also a calming, antispasmodic and even diuretic effect. Lobelia’s lobelin has similar properties to nicotine, but has unpleasant side effects. For example, the alkaloid quickly causes vomiting, which is why it is also a component of smoking cessation products. Lobelia is also a well-known remedy in homeopathy, where it is used under the scientific name Lobelia inflata. In homeopathic preparations, lobelia is considered a proven remedy for asthmatic complaints with chest tightness, spasmodic cough, shortness of breath and nausea. The remedy finds use in bronchial asthma when associated with cramps and gastric pressure. Homeopaths also like to prescribe Indian tobacco for whooping cough, spasmodic cough, bronchitis chronica, in emphysema and bronchiectasis. According to the similarity rule, Lobelia inflata is also used against nausea. In addition, the homeopathic preparation of the plant is said to help people quit smoking.
Health significance, treatment and prevention.
Native Americans used Indian tobacco as an antiasthmatic and as an emetic. In addition, Native Americans used the leaves of Indian tobacco to protect themselves against witchcraft. They considered the plant a mystical plant and smoked it. Lobelia was also often used as a love tonic and an aphrodisiac. The Indians even believed that lobelia could act against storms. To do this, they dried the herb and powdered it. When a storm approached, they would throw the powder in the direction of the storm. This was to prevent the dangerous winds from approaching. The plant received its botanical name in the 16th century. It was named after the English court botanist Matthias von Lobel. The term “inflata” is borrowed from the inflated fruit capsules.A short time later, American herbalists also discovered the healing properties of Indian tobacco. They used the plant to treat diseases of the respiratory tract and externally to heal wounds and treat rheumatic diseases. It was not until the late 18th century that the medicinal plant became known in Europe. Doctors Eckstein and Romer first published their clinical documentation on the effectiveness of lobelia in 1921. Because of the rather strong side effects, the Indian tobacco is rarely used in conventional medicine today. The dried leaves and roots of the plant are hardly available anymore. Some complex remedies contain extracts of lobelia. Lobelia is also still quite commonly used in homeopathy in low potencies. It is part of the homeopathic medicine cabinet and is said to provide quick relief from nausea and vomiting. No positive monographs are available from either Commission E or the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. Commission E is an expert commission of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. It consists of experts in biology, medicine, pharmacology, naturopathy, and toxicology and collects and evaluates scientific and experiential material on adverse and desirable effects of herbal medicines. ESCOP has a similar mission at the European level. The efficacy of Indian tobacco has not yet been sufficiently scientifically proven by either institution.
