Lobelia cardinalis vs Myrica Esculenta

North American native perennial with brilliant red flowers; roots used by Native Americans for worm and venereal conditions.

Evergreen tree found in the Himalayan foothills used in Ayurvedic and folk medicine of Nepal and India for digestive, respiratory, and nervous system conditions.

lobelacrine, lobelanidine, lobelanine, norlobelanine, alkaloids

myricitrin, taraxerol, alpha-amyrin, phenolic acids

worm expulsion, syphilis, headache, fever, cramps

fever, diarrhea, cough, headache, earache, sore throat

antispasmodic, anthelmintic

anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antipyretic, antispasmodic

Professional use only due to alkaloid toxicity

3–6g bark powder or decoction daily

pregnancy, heart conditions, children, narrow therapeutic window

pregnancy (high doses), allergy to Myricaceae

GI upset, vomiting, paralysis in overdose

mild nausea, gastric irritation with high doses