Lobelia chinensis, Ban Bian Lian 半边莲Ban Bian Lian (TCM) |
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Lobelia chinensisEdwards, S.T., Botanical Register (1815-1828)
Botanical name:
Lobelia chinensis (syn. L. radicans)
L. pyramidalis and L. sessilifolia are also used.
Parts used:
Herb
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Slightly Sweet
Classification:
C. Clear Damp, Promote Urine
Constituents:
Alkaloids: lobeline, lobelanine, lobelanidine, isolobelanidine
Uses:
1. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-Edema, Anasarca, Ascites
-Edema from Cirrhosis, end-stage Schistosomiasis
-Jaundice
2. Clears Heat, Resolves Toxin:
-Sore Throat, Tonsillitis
-Fever
-Toxic Sores, Abscesses, Boils, Carbuncles, Tooth Abscess
-Toxic Swellings, Tumors and Cancers
-Eczema, Shingles
-Diarrhea, Dysentery, Enteritis, Gastric Ulcers
-Syphilis
-Venomous Bites; special for Snake Bite; also Bee, Wasp and Scorpion bite (internally & topically)
-also used for Traumatic Injury
3. Stops Cough and Wheezing:
-Cough, Wheezing, Asthma
-Respiratory stimulant effect
Dose:
Decoction: 3–9 grams, up to 15 grams (up to 30 grams for Cancer has been used)
Topically, it may be used in the form of the fresh crushed herb, or in oils, ointments and washes.
Main Combinations:
1. Edema:
i. Lobelia chinensis with Polyporus Zhu Ling, Alisma Ze Xie
ii. Lobelia chinensis with Alisma Ze Xie, Corn Silk (Yu Mi Xu)
2. Edema from end-stage Schistosomiasis, Lobelia chinensis with Vervain (Ma Bian Cao)
3. Hot, painful, dribbling urine, Lobelia chinensis with Pyrrosia Shi Wei
4. Venomous Snake Bite, Lobelia chinensis with Coptis Huang Lian, Lonicera Jin Yin Hua, Chrysanthemum indicum Ye Ju Hua
5. Toxic Sores, Snake Bite, Lobelia chinensis with Coptis Huang Lian, Chrysanthemum indicum Ye Ju Hua
6. Hard and Fixed masses: Lobelia chinensis with Rhaponticum Lou Lu
7. Cancer of the Lung, Nasopharynx, Liver, Cervix, Lobelia chinensis with Solanum lyratum, Hedyotis Bai Hua She She Cao, Scutellaria barbata Ban Zhi Lian (fresh, 60 grams each or dried 30 grams each). (Barefoot Doctors Manual)
8. Topically for Burns and non-healing Sores and Ulcers, Lobelia chinensis with Dang Gui, Myrrh (Mo Yao), Frankincense (Ru Xiang), Borneo Camphor (Bing Pain), Safflower (Hong Hua), Burnet (Di Yu) made into an ointment. (as in the patent medicine Ching Wan Hung)
Major Formulas:
Cautions:
1. Avoid Overdose. Lobelias are restricted in some countries.
2. Avoid in Pregnancy
Toxicity:
Overdose may cause headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, hypertension, leading to spasms, convulsions, dilation of the pupils, potentially leading to respiratory paralysis and death.
It should be noted that rather small doses of the American Lobelia inflata are regarded as toxic. The Chinese Lobelia is used in decoction, and due to the toxic compounds being alkaloids, they will be destroyed or greatly lessened by boiling.