Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)
Overview
Lobelia is an annual herb growing to 20 inches with lance-shaped leaves and pale blue, pink-tinged flowers. A powerful antispasmodic used for respiratory and muscle disorders, it was a traditional Native American remedy for many conditions. It was used as a 'puke weed' to induce vomiting, as a remedy for worms and venereal disease, and as an expectorant. Lobelia was also smoked as a substitute for tobacco and was reputed to share some of its magical qualities. Indigenous to North America, especially eastern parts of the United States, it grows by roadsides and in neglected areas, preferring acid soil. The aerial parts are harvested in early autumn when the seed capsules are most numerous and are carefully dried. Its use was later championed by the American herbalist Samuel Thomson (1769–1843), who made the herb the mainstay of his therapeutic system, mainly using it to induce vomiting.
Traditional uses & properties
Lobelia is a powerful antispasmodic herb that dilates the bronchial passages to ease asthma attacks and relieves pain caused by tension. The whole herb is strongly antispasmodic, while its constituent lobeline stimulates the respiratory center within the brain stem, producing stronger and deeper breathing. A powerful antispasmodic and respiratory stimulant, lobelia is valuable for asthma—particularly bronchial asthma—and chronic bronchitis. The herb helps to relax the muscles of the smaller bronchial tubes, thereby opening the airways, stimulating breathing, and promoting the coughing up of phlegm. Laboratory investigations during the 1990s suggest that lobeline has antidepressant activity. In the Anglo-American herbal tradition, lobelia has always been combined with cayenne; the heating, stimulant action helps to push blood into areas that lobelia has relaxed. Some constituents, especially lobeline, break down rapidly in the body, and lobelia is often most effective applied externally. Its antispasmodic action helps to relax muscles, particularly smooth muscle, making it useful for sprains and back problems where muscle tension is a key factor. It helps clear lymphatic congestion and can be applied topically to insect bites and stings. The piperidine alkaloids, especially lobeline, have similar chemical effects to nicotine, and lobelia is employed by herbalists to help patients give up smoking.
Preparations & dosage
Strong infusion: Traditionally used for emetic purposes, 2 ounces every few minutes. Tincture (fresh flowers and seeds 1:2, 95% alcohol; dried flowers and seeds 1:5, 65% alcohol, 5% vinegar): 5–20 drops as needed. Glycerite (dried herb 1:6): 10–30 drops as needed. Capsules: ¼–1 capsule (100–400 mg) per dose—hard to dose in capsule form, as 1 capsule is a fairly large dose. Topical use: The tincture may be applied topically. An oil or salve preparation should use 95% alcohol as an intermediate solvent.
Safety & precautions
Take only when prescribed by a medical herbalist or doctor and do not eat the fresh plant. Excessive ingestion is rare (vomiting normally occurs first) but can be fatal. Restricted herb in some countries. The FDA considers lobelia to be poisonous, and many sources claim it will cause convulsions, coma, and death. These are potential effects of its principal alkaloid lobeline, but there is no record of the whole herb causing these problems in anyone. Lobelia is an emetic and makes you throw up if you take too much. It can produce severe symptoms (nausea, profuse sweating, vomiting, and deep relaxation), but these symptoms typically pass quickly and the person feels better afterward. However, because of these effects, lobelia is not recommended for weak, debilitated persons or persons who are deeply relaxed. Not recommended for long-term use and should be used cautiously during pregnancy. To avoid unpleasant effects such as nausea and vomiting, use small, repeated doses instead of large, infrequent doses, or use it as part of a formula.
Habitat
Indigenous to North America, especially eastern parts of the United States. Grows by roadsides and in neglected areas, preferring acid soil. The aerial parts are harvested in early autumn when the seed capsules are most numerous.
Traditionally used for
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