Lobelia inflata L. as an Alternative Medicine for Respiratory Problems Provoked by Covid- 19: A Review

Abstract

Lobelia inflata (Indian tobacco, Campanulaceae) is an herbal remedy for many respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and cough. The main objective of the current review is to document the potential use of L. inflata as respiratory stimulant in patients suffering from Covid-19 infection. Native Americans smoked the plant as a treatment for asthma and today, lobelia is sometimes suggested to help clear mucus from the respiratory tract, including the throat, lungs, and bronchial tubes. Although few studies have evaluated the safety and effectiveness of lobelia, some herbalists use lobelia as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for asthma. In the 19th century, American physicians prescribed the herb to induce vomiting in order remove toxins from the body. However, because of its properties as a respiratory stimulant and expectorant, the plant should be used at the correct dose and together with herbs that are soothing to the throat and lungs, and it is often used in a synergistic herbal formula that includes L. inflata herb and seed, Zingiber officinale, and Hyssopus officinalis. The study species should not be used as a substitute for drug therapy during an asthma attack and its use is contraindicated during pregnancy. Lobelia inflata has no known adverse drug interactions and it is therefore a promising complementary therapy for the management of respiratory disorders, in particular in light of the recent increase in the prevalence of respiratory diseases associated with Covid-19. In conclusions, data of the current study has proven the possibility of using the plant in treating the respiratory disorders resulting from infection with Covid-19.