Use of Herba Lobellae Chinensis ( 半邊蓮 ) is A ttributed to the Bronchodilation and Diuretic Effects of Lobeline and its Derivatives

Lobelia is a fall wildflower commonly growing in China. It reduces swelling and has good anti-inflammatory effects. The herb is used by the Chinese for cooling the blood in what they called fire toxin, such as tonsillitis and for asthma treatment and reducing the toxicity of insect stings and snakebites. It has significant and prolonged diuretic effect. Modern TCM practitioners use lobelia for the treatment of ascites in the later stages of schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease. Lobeline is one of the main alkaloids present in the herb. It has both temperature-dependent and –independent neuroprotective effects against methamphetamine toxicity.