The whole plant of Lobelia chinensis Lour., family Cam panulaceae. A small herb with fibrous roots at the nodes.
Leaves alter nate, linear in shape.
Flowers solitary, growing from the leaf axillae. Corolla reddish purple, with a cylindric base and an apex divided into 5 lobes which deviate to one side, like a half of a lotus flower. Acrid in taste, mild in nature, and attributive to heart, small intestine and lung channels. Pharmacological Action Its decoction or its active component lobeline stimulates the chemical receptor in common carotid artery and exag gerates respiration. Single or combined preliminary feeding of succinic acid, fumaric acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid to the mice is protective against cobra intoxication.