Answer to Peter

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/13/00 10:26:03 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

innergate writes:

 

<< or if Ban Bian Lian has any of the emetic or unpredictable qualities of

Lobelia inflata?) >>

 

Dear Peter,

 

I asked that question a few months ago when I had a patient that I wanted to

treat with lobelia inflata. I was told that our Chinese lobelia (ban bian

lian) does not have the same properties and is a minor herb in our pharmacy.

That matches with what I learned in school. My patient did use the lobelia

inflata with very severe results (which she liked -- because she was trying

to clear phlegm and also " cleanse " her colon, and this cleared her out in

every way possible). I agree we need more specific knowledge within genera.

 

For another example, I notice that Lotus Herbs refers to Chuan Xiong as

Cnidium, whereas most suppliers, and texts, refer to Ligusticum as the plant

that is Chuan Xiong. Does anyone know the difference? Any Chuan Xiong I have

seen always looks the same: crispy, reddish brown pungent " cornflakes " -- so

what is this plant?

 

Thanks. Julie

[Guest guest]

Lobelia inflata quickly loses many of its properties when dried, so is

normally produced as a vinegar tincture, with a limited shelf-life. It

is unpredictable in either form. I had a homeopath friend try to

" proove " dried lobelia inflata as a tea, who began to go into respiratory

arrest, completely bypassing the usual emetic properties. Emesis is a

more common reaction to a large dose. However the eclectics recorded

several cases of " suspended animation " or apparent death

 

Lobelias differ significantly between species, but I suspect that

instability is an issue with most of them. So it is not suprising that

Ban Bian Lian plays a minor role in Chinese herbalism. Ban Bian Lian (L.

chinenses, L. radicans Thunberg) has many of the same constituents as

lobelia inflata but only appears to share the antivenom, anti-inflamatory

and detoxicating actions. The taste is considerably less pungent than L.

inflata. It does have a stimulating action however, as does the first

stage of L. inflata.

 

Karen Vaughan

CreationsGarden

***************************************

Email advice is not a substitute for medical treatment.

" Research is the act of going up alleys to see if they are blind. " -

Plutarch

 

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