Indications

Low doses increase GI and respiratory tract secretions. High doses cause emesis.

Respiratory
• severe dyspnea with respiratory catarrh
- asthma
- bronchitis
- pneumonia

Gastrointestinal
• any condition where emesis is required
- food poisoning
- drug overdose

Actions

• Stimulant • Mixed Action On Sns & Pns
• Expectorant
• Emetic
• Cathartic
• Antispasmodic
• Sialogogue
• Diuretic

Constituents

• Piperidine Alkaloids (Lobeline )

Posology

• Tincture (1:5 in 40% EtOH): 0.5-1 ml tid
• Decoction (leaf): 1/4 tsp tid

Safety

Caution: Heart disease, severe atherosclerosis, tachycardia, arrhythmias. In low doses, alkaloids stimulate receptors in the CNS to increase GI and respiratory secretions. High doses cause emesis.

High doses: Nausea and vomiting.

Pregnancy & lactation: Avoid use.

References

"Show references"

"Hide references"

Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3rd ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007.

Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

Bone K. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. St Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

Brinker F. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, 3rd ed. Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications, 2000.

Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory. 1898. http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/main.html. Accessed: August 19, 2006.

Hoffman D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988.

Williamson EM, ed. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2002