Lobelia
Useful properties and uses of lobelia
Description of lobelia
Lobelia is an amazing perennial plant of the Kolokolchikov family. Its homeland is the territory of southern Africa. For horticultural purposes, this plant is used as an annual plant. Many types of lobelia are incredibly valuable in medicine. And no wonder - this beautiful flower has many beneficial properties. The height of this highly branching plant can vary from 10 to 25 cm. Small flowers can have different shades - white, pink and even purple.
Useful properties of lobelia
Magnificent Lobelia is an excellent remedy for infectious diseases, for acute heart failure, as well as for serious conditions with low vascular tone. Also, this plant is great for low and sharp drop in blood pressure, and after heavy blood loss. Lobelia has an unusually beneficial effect on the human body, providing the necessary tone to the nerve branches in the peripheral vessels.
Nitrogen-containing organic compounds - lobelanin and lobeladine, which are in the composition of the plant, will quickly relieve stress from the muscles of the bronchi, soothe them, and minimize the formation of phlegm. In herbal medicine, this plant is considered one of the most useful, it is used in various herbal collections. Lobelia is a very “smart” herb, as it, in combination with other herbs, is surprisingly transferred to those parts of the body that require treatment.
Lobelia is a very effective remedy in the treatment of serious diseases of the important respiratory tract and central nervous system. In addition, this plant remarkably removes toxins from the body. After a series of studies, scientists have found about 40 components in lobelia that can effectively cope with viral and inflammatory processes in the human body.
It was found that such a plant traps free radicals, which in turn can lead to very disastrous consequences - various diseases with fatal outcomes. It should be mentioned that lobelia is an excellent remedy that also has exceptional antioxidant properties.
Lobelia application
Due to its unique medicinal properties, lobelia is often found in many popular drugs that are effective in solving respiratory problems. For example, the drug "Lobelin hydrochloride" has a compound such as lobeline hydrochloride, due to which the agent has an unmatched positive effect on breathing stimulation.
It is used for diseases of the respiratory tract - bronchitis, bronchial asthma, whooping cough, and is also used for asphyxia in infants, asphyxiation with substances that cause poisoning, drug intoxication. Its action restores breathing in drowning people, and it is also effective in other cases when it is necessary to quickly stimulate respiratory activity.
In America, a unique dietary supplement is produced, which includes lobelia. This drug has a number of beneficial effects. It reduces inflammatory processes in the digestive system, has analgesic properties, mobilizes the digestion of food in the gastrointestinal tract, generally increasing the body's defense mechanisms. Lobelia is also used to make leaf tea and alcohol tincture. They are antibacterial and can help relieve diarrhea and Staphylococcus aureus.
For many years now, scientists have been wondering whether it is possible to cure epilepsy with the help of lobelia. The first experiments showed that this plant stops cramps on the muscles affected by the disease, it also promotes the release of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain, which serves as the most important inhibitory agent of the human central nervous system. Lobelia as a medicine is considered an indispensable tool that perfectly complements the main pharmacological complex of drugs.
Lobelia care
It is necessary to pay great attention to feeding lobelia, but in this matter the main thing is not to overdo it. For the density of flowering, you need to use only organic fertilizers - you can use "Effecton-Ts" or "Flower". If an aphid suddenly attacks lobelia, it must be sprayed with a solution of Inta-Vir. In the case of the development of a fungal disease of plants, for example, powdery mildew, the appearance of rust or spots on the leaves, it is better to use copper-containing preparations. One of these effective drugs is copper sulfate.
Growing lobelia
Lobelia is a rather whimsical plant that needs a lot of sunlight. It is best to grow it on open surfaces with minimal areas of shade. At first after planting, she behaves capriciously, her seeds may not germinate for a long time. The plant is very fond of moist soil, it is problematic to recover after drought, and needs frequent watering. Lobelia loves water procedures, her leaves must be regularly sprayed with water from a spray bottle.
How to plant lobelia? Lobelia seeds are sown in early spring, preferably at the very beginning of March, in special boxes for seedlings. The soil must be used with the addition of peat and sand so that it is soft enough. It is not necessary to sprinkle the seeds with earth, it is better to just sow them. Then you need to sprinkle the seeds a little with water from a spray bottle.
At the next stage, the boxes must be covered with a greenhouse film or glass and not removed until shoots appear. Keep such boxes at a temperature of no more than 20 ° C. Lobelia shoots are usually dived twice. It is better to plant lobelia in the ground in June, when it will already be warm and the soil warms up well. When planting in the ground, there should be a distance of at least fifteen centimeters between the flowers. Lobelia loves transplanting and it should be done regularly once every two years. In the cold season, it is better to dig up lobelia and transfer it to the winter garden.
Lobelia varieties
There is a great variety of lobelias. In the wild, lobelia is found in America, Australia, and other southern territories. The color of these colors ranges from light blue to blue. The breeders also bred lobelia of various shapes, sizes and colors - white, purple and red. Lobelia can be both perennial and annual. Of the perennial species, the most interesting are fire lobelia, or brilliant, Dortman's lobelia, Gherardi's lobelia.
Of the annuals, the most famous is Lobelia Erinus. It forms bushes that resemble balls, but can also creep along the ground. Lobelia can have different colors - lilac, blue, purple, white flowers. In total, there are over 400 species.
Lobelia is actively used in landscape design, it can be grown in flower beds, planted on alpine hills, as well as planted in pots and hanging pots - it will always look bright and chic.
This plant can also be placed in decorative ponds, since the flower loves high humidity, it will feel great there.
Lobelia contraindications
It should not be grown at home, as lobelia is poisonous. Before using various drugs based on lobelia, it is imperative to consult a doctor. Signs of poisoning may include vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and general weakness. In case of poisoning, be sure to go to the hospital for gastric lavage.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
