A very polymorphous species - botanists have at times attempted to classify it into a series of varieties but these do not really hold[, ].

Common Name:

General Information

Lobelia nicotianifolia is a coarse, biennial or perennial herb that can grow up to 2 metres tall, exceptionally to 4.5 metres. The stems can be unbranched, or with branches near their apices[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and insecticide. It is a commonly used medicinal herb in India, where it is gathered in quantity from the wild for local use and for trade[].

Known Hazards

The seeds are very poisonous[].
The dry herb, when handled, is very acrid, and causes irritation to the throat and nostrils like tobacco. The symptoms of poisoning are similar to those of nicotine[].
The latex of the plant causes dermatitis[].
Many, if not all, species in the genus Lobelia contain a range of piperidine alkaloids, particularly lobeline and lobelanine. If ingested, these can cause a range of symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, salivation, exhaustion and weakness, dilation of pupils, convulsions, and coma. Generally, the degree of toxicity is only moderate and plants are only harmful in larger quantities - indeed several species have medicinal uses and a few are even eaten as wild foods[]

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia.

Habitat

Open localities on ridges in mossy forest, often on grassy mountain slopes and hills, at elevations from 600 - 2,300 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Biennial/Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants can flower and produce fruit almost all year round[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An infusion of the leaves is taken as an antiseptic and antispasmodic[, ]. It is used to treat asthma and stomach ailments[].
The crushed leaves, or the juice, is applied to abscesses and furuncles[].

The roots are used in the treatment of scorpion stings[].

Whole plant, root, stem bark, leaves, seed are used in the treatment of boils, aches, toothache, wounds, tineapedis, antispasmodic, scorpion sting, Antiseptic and asthma[]

Other Uses

The seeds are very poisonous, and are used as an insecticide[].

Applied externally to the body, the leaves are used as a leech repellent[].

The dried, hollow stems are blown as horns[].

Propagation

Seed -

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