Lobelia gets scientists' attention as an antimicrobial and anti-convulsive for epilepsy

Lobelia gets scientists' attention as an antimicrobial and anti-convulsive for epilepsy


(NaturalNews) Traditional herbalists consider lobelia to be one of the
most powerful and useful herbs on the planet, and use it in a variety of
herbal formulas. Lobelia is an adaptogen, or "thinking" herb, meaning
it will take the beneficial phytochemicals in other herbs with it to the
places in the body which need healing.

Lobelia is one of the
best herbs for removing congestion, whether in the respiratory tract or
in the central nervous system. It is also an effective detoxifying herb.

The FDA considers lobelia inflata
to be a poisonous plant, with 166 references to its toxicity on file.
However, practically every herb in the herbalist's tool kit is listed as
a poisonous plant as well. There has been neither explanation nor any
case files as to why the FDA considers these herbs poisonous.

Lobelia does cause vomiting when taken in large doses, but there have been no other consequences on record.

Lobelia is as effective as prescription Ciprofloxacin

While
the FDA tried to get lobelia banned in the 1980s because of its plant
alkaloids, those same alkaloids are now considered as valuable
antivirals and anti-inflammatories.

In 2011, the Archives of Pharmacal [sic] Research reported finding 46 compounds in one variety of lobelia (lobelia chinensis)
which had both anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. In
particular, the plant isolate scoporone significantly inhibited free
radicals, making lobelia an effective natural antioxidant.

Teas
and tinctures from six different herbs were compared for their
antibacterial effects on several strains of bacteria which cause
diarrhea. The fluoroquinolone antibacterial Ciprofloxacin was used as a
control standard.

The highest antimicrobial activity was found in both lobelia
leaf tea and alcohol tincture. Lobelia, in combination with the herb
known as desert date, was demonstrated to be effective even against
Staphylococcus aureus.

Is lobelia the cure for epilepsy?

Scientists currently seem very excited about the possibilities of lobelia for epilepsy. In July 2012, the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine
e-published a clinical study involving lobelia in epileptic mice.
Lobelia was observed to stop convulsions and seizures by enhancing the
GABA release mechanism in the brain. Lobelia also kept the mice in the
test group alive.

Although more studies and human trials must be conducted, lobelia looks very promising as a treatment for epilepsy.

Will lobelia help people stop smoking?

Anecdotal
evidence supports the idea that lobelia, nicknamed Indian tobacco, can
help people stop smoking. This is because the plant chemical lobeline in
lobelia is similar to nicotine in chemical structure and could be used
as a nicotine supplement.

In addition, lobelia is believed to
release dopamine, the neurotransmitter which affects mood and stimulates
the pleasure center in the brain. Cigarette smoking produces a similar
effect.

However, the Imperial Cancer Research Fund General Practice Research Group, Department of Primary Health Care, at the University of Oxford, Institute of Health Sciences says that lobelia is ineffective as an aid to quit smoking.

This
research group's position is based on findings from the Cochrane
Library, the most conservative scientific research fact-checking source
in the world.

Source:-
http://www.naturalnews.com/037763_lobelia_anti-convulsive_epilepsy.html