lobelia

[Named after Matthias Lobel, physician and botanist, who died in London, A. D. 1616.] 1. Bot .: The typical genus of the order Lobeliacem (q. v.). The calyx is irregular, two-lipped, cleft longitudinally on the upper sides, the upper lip smaller and erect, the lower spreading; three cleft; the anthers united, the two lower ones bearded at the apex; capsule two or three-celled, the upper part free, two-valved loculicidal. Many species are very beautiful. 2. Pharm.: Lobelia urens blisters the skin, L. cardinal is is acrid, and is considered anthelmintic, L. in flat a is a powerful emetic, sudorific, and expectorant. The infusion of the leaves of L. nico tinæfolia , an Indian species, is used by the natives as an antispasmodic, the dry herb when handled irritates the throat and nostrils like tobacco. The flowering herb of L. in flat a (Indian tobacco), indig enous to the United States, is used in British practice. The medicinal preparations of it are two-the Tincture and the Ethereal Tincture of Lobelia. In small doses Lobelia is expectorant and diaphoretic; in large ones, emetic or cathartic. It has been used in spasmodic asthma, and in dyspnea, ., as a diuretic. [1.]