Lobelia inflata

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Indian tobacco
Lobelia inflata[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Campanulaceae
Subfamily: Lobelioideae
Genus: Lobelia
Species: L. inflata
Binomial name
Lobelia inflata



Lobelia inflata. Flower


Cultivation and uses[edit]

Lobelia inflata has a long use as an entheogenic and emetic substance. The plant was widely used by the Penobscots and was widely used in the New England even before the time of Samuel Thomson, who was credited as discovering it. Indian tobacco, also known as "pukeweed", is still used today. It can be used fresh, or dry.

It is also said that plant material is burned as a natural bug repellent to keep away insects such as mosquitoes.[citation needed]

It contains lobeline.



Traditional use[edit]

Native Americans used lobelia to treat respiratory and muscle disorders, and as a purgative. The species used most commonly in modern herbalism is Lobelia inflata (Indian tobacco).[4] However, there are adverse effects that limit the use of lobelia.[5]



External links[edit]