Ban Bian Lian (Chinese Lobelia, Lobelia)

Chinese Herb Actions

Chinese Herb Dosage

• 10-20 grams dried, 30-60 grams in decoction ¹²
• 3-15 grams in decoction ¹³

Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions

• Do not use for edema due to deficiency.

Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose

• This herb is toxic if taken in excess amounts. It contains a powerful alkaloid called Lobeline
• Overdose symptoms include nausea, headache, diarrhea, salivation, hypertension, mania, muscle contraction, retarded and then accelerated pulse, spasms, dilated pupils, respiratory paralysis, and death in severe cases

Herb-Drug Interactions

• Ban Bian Lian has a diuretic effect and should be taken with care with other diuretic drugs including Lasix, Bumex, and Demadex.

Western / Biomedical Research

Chinese Herb Clinical Studies & Research

Provided as research context — a summary of published biomedical study, not a therapeutic or medical claim.

• There are 448 entries in Pubmed for Lobeline, an akyloid found in Ban Bian Lian.
• Interaction of lobeline and nicotinic receptor ligands with the discriminative stimulus properties of cocaine and amphetamine.
  Drug Alcohol Depend. 2006 Feb 22;
• How does lobeline injected intravenously produce a cough?
  Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2005 Jan 15;145(1):79-90.
• Reverses respiratory depression due to morphine in dogs, or due to snake venom.
  Zhong Yao Yao Li Yu Ying Yong, 1983;389.
• 83% of 120 patients with schistosomal ascites showed improvement after taking 30 days of Ban Bian Lian (30 grams), Dan Shen (9 grams), Dang Gui (6 grams), Fu Ling (12 grams), Bing Lang (6 grams).
  Zhong Hua Wai Ke Za Zhi, 1959; 5:406.
• 14 snakebite cases all recovered completely following ingestion and topical application of Ban Bian Lian.
  Zhong Hua Wai Ke Zu Zhi, 1960; 4:369.

Chinese Herb Notes

• It is mostly mentioned as an internal and external treatment for snakebite and insect sting in older texts.
• Both Ban Bian Lian and Bai Hua She She Cao treat snakebite and toxins equally well, reduce edema, and clear heat. Ban Bian Lian promotes urination better while Bai Hua She She Cao is better for painful dribbling associated with damp-heat.