What are the effects and functions of Lobelia?

The plant Lobelia is still relatively unfamiliar to many friends, because it is rarely seen in cities. In fact, Lobelia chinensis, also known as fishtail grass, is a relatively common Chinese medicinal material, and its medicinal value is incomparable to that of ordinary plants. The flowers of Lobelia are quite beautiful, usually appearing light purple, giving a romantic feeling. So what are the effects and functions of half-flower?

The efficacy and function of Lobelia

1. Effects of clearing away heat and detoxifying

Lobelia has the effect of clearing away heat and detoxifying. It can be used for snake and centipede bites or bee and scorpion stings, etc. It can be used externally or internally and has a good therapeutic effect.

2. The effect of diuresis and swelling

Lobelia has the effect of promoting diuresis and reducing swelling. It can be used for ascites in liver cirrhosis and edema in kidney disease. In addition, fresh or dried products can be boiled in water for external application for eczema and athlete's foot.

3. Antispasmodic and expectorant effects

Lobelia has the function of relieving spasms and eliminating phlegm. The safflower contained in Lobelia has a strong effect in resisting smooth muscle contraction caused by histamine, and also has a good expectorant effect.

4. Diuretic effect

Lobelia has a diuretic effect. Normal rats given Lobelia infusion or normal humans given Lobelia powder orally had significant and lasting diuretic effects.

5. Choleretic effect

Lobelia also has a choleretic effect. Intravenous injection of the alcohol extract of Lobelia chinensis has a choleretic effect on dogs, increasing the bile flow by more than two times and reducing the concentrations of solids, bile salts, and bilirubin in the bile.

6. Antihypertensive effect

Intravenous injection of Lobelia infusion has a significant and lasting hypotensive effect on anesthetized dogs. Only large doses of oral administration can have a blood pressure lowering effect. Its antihypertensive mechanism may be related to inhibiting vasomotor centers and blocking ganglia. Therefore, Lobelia is also a very good antihypertensive drug.

7. Regulate immune function

Lobelia can regulate the body's immunity. The polysaccharides contained in Lobelia can promote the lymphocyte transformation of mouse spleen cells induced by concanavalin A in vitro, and the optimal concentration is 400r/ml. Experts found that after one week of administration, the percentage of esterase-positive cells in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of mice was significantly increased. The experiment concluded that Lobelia chinensis is very helpful in regulating immune function.