LOBELIA

Latin Name: Lobelia inflata

Alternate Names: Emetic Weed, Indian Tobacco, Asthma Weed, Pukeweed, Bladderpod

Family: CAMPANULACEAE

Parts Used: Leaves, flowers, seeds. Collect at the end of the flowering season when the lower fruit ripens.

Properties: Alterative, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emetic, Expectorant, Nervine, Respiratory Stimulant, Stimulant.

Internal Uses: Asthma, Bronchial Spasms, Bruises, Cigarette Addiction, Cough, Diphtheria, Edema, Epilepsy, Insect Bites, Muscle Spasms, Rheumatism, Sprains, Tonsillitis, Whooping Cough

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules, Syrup.

Use one part apple cider vinegar when making a tincture. Lobelia is valued for its ability to relax spasms by relaxing tissue, as opposed to having a narcotic effect upon the brain. In the respiratory system it helps relax bronchial muscles while dilating the bronchioles. As lobeline stimulates the respiratory system via the brain stem, it encourages deeper breathing, which may be why it helps relieve respiratory problems. 

Lobelia is so relaxing to the nerves and calming to spasms that it has even been used to treat lockjaw and was once used by midwives to relax pelvic muscles to aid in birthing. It has long been used to treat poisonous stings and bites.

The alkaloid lobeline mimics the effects of nicotine and thus this herb is helpful for people wanting to give up tobacco.

Topical Uses: Asthma, Bronchitis, Cigarette Addiction

Topical Applications: Smoked in a water pipe to treat asthma, bronchitis and help quit the tobacco habit. Lobelia was both chewed and smoked by Native Americans.

Energetics: Bitter, Pungent, Warm.

Chemical Constituents: Piperidine alkaloids (lobeline, isolobeline), lobelic acid, chelidonic acid, glycoside (lobelacrin), essential oil, resins, fats.

Contraindications: Not for people with high blood pressure or for those prone to faintness. The species Lobelia siphilitica, with blue flowers, is milder and less likely to cause vomiting than Lobelia inflata. However, as an emetic, it may cause vomiting, which is sometimes a desirable therapy to help the body eliminate a poison or stop an asthma attack. The Lobelia inflata species is much more emetic and has caused death when misused. Avoid overdoses. Use one-fifth the dose of other herbs.

Comments: The genus name honors the Flemish botanist Mathias L'Obel. Lobelia is native to North America. The root of Lobelia was used by the Iroquois to treat syphilis, hence the species name siphilitica. It was also placed in the bed of quarreling couples to help them regain their love.

The common name Lobelia also includes the species Lobelia siphilitica, Lobelia cardinalis and Lobelia chinensis, all of which are used interchangeably with Lobelia inflata.