Lobelia (lobelia inflata L.)

And the Amazing Things This Plant Can Do

Lobelia is a plant that you should keep at hand for coughs, lung congestion, and upper respiratory infections with fall and winter upon us.  Additionally, this herb has numerous other benefits.

Lobelia, a plant native to North America, gets a bad rap. If you take too much, it can make you vomit-because of this the herb tends to be misunderstood as a dangerous plant.

This herb can be useful for asthma, lung congestion, colds, depression, anxiety and more but should be used situational, not long term.

The parts that are used are the leaf, flower, and seed.  The root is rarely used.

It is noted that back in the 1800’s the herbalist, Samuel Thompson, had a good reputation for using lobelia for his clients with asthma and other health issues. However, the medical establishment did not like this, and he was thrown in jail, charged with murder from using lobelia.  Eventually, it was shown that the charges were fabricated, and he was let go from jail.  But still the damage was done, and the reputation of Lobelia was tainted.

Lobelia’s Amazing Ability

What has been said about lobelia is that is can act differently according to the needs of the individual.  In one with depression it can lift mood, in one who is tensed, it can promote relaxation.  Rather than do one to thing, it like many other plants, seeks to restore balance in your body.

This is not surprising as many plants do the same thing. Think of an Adaptogenic herb-it can reduce or increase cortisol levels-it seeks to bring balance to the body, to provide the restoration that you need.

What I found fascinating about lobelia is that it is called an activator. This means that when used in conjunction with other herbs, it can direct the actions of the other herbs. Thus, if you are using, say peppermint and ginger for an upset stomach, it has the ability to direct these herbs to the desired organ that needs to reap from these herbs’ beneficial properties.

 

Benefits of Lobelia

Lobelia is a plant with anti-asthmatic, antispasmodic expectorant, emetic (vomiting) and nervine properties.

It can open the bronchial airways, hence its effectiveness for asthma.  It is also useful, for this reason, for lung congestion and coughs, whooping cough, croup in babies and upper respiratory infections.

It can be used as a relaxant or a stimulant depending on what action your body needs.  It can be used in this way for anxiety, stress and depression.

Because of the antispasmodic effects it can be good for cramping, spasms, and for epileptic seizures.

Dosing of Lobelia

I prefer using it in tincture form (alcohol based) or for children and those who cannot have alcohol, use it in glycerin form.  They do make it in capsules, but the dose is typically too high in this form. Remember if you take too much it can make you vomit. You are better off using it in a form in which you can control the dose.  When shopping for Lobelia in tincture form, make sure it says that the fresh herb was used.  This is what you want, not the dried herb for the tincture form.  On the back of the bottle is should say “fresh, undried”

The typical dose in tincture form is three to ten drops given at a time but you can repeat the dosing within minutes for upwards to 60 drops for adults.

Please note that I said drops, not droppers.  Often when using herbs in tincture form it will be in one ml. bottles with the dose in dropper full amounts, not drops. For lobelia, the dosing is a bit different.

You can also make it in a tea.  Take ¼ teaspoon of the dried herb with one cup hot water and let it infuse for 10-15 minutes. You can drink this up to three times per day in acute situations.  If using it in combination with other herbs, as an activator of other herbs, use one fifth to one third the amount of the other herbs. So, in this instance you may need even less than the ¼ of a teaspoon.

Instead of using it long term, use it for acute situations. For instance, if you have a panic attack, take three to ten drops every 5 minutes for desired results (again, up to 60 drops so that you do not induce vomiting)

Interesting Fact

Steve Horne has said he also used it to help people stop smoking since it contains lobeline which attaches to the same nervous system receptors as nicotine.

Bottom Line

This is an herb that should be kept in your medicine cabinet for acute situations. Alcohol based tinctures can last years if kept in dark bottles in a dark cool location.

I have used this herb in conjunction with other herbs for my son, who is more prone to upper respiratory infections, and coughs.

References

Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.

Mars, B. (2016). The desktop guide to herbal medicine: the ultimate multidisciplinary reference to the amazing realm of healing plants, in a quick-study, one-stop guide. Basic Health Publications, Inc.

http://stevenhorne.com/article/Lobelia-The-Intelligent-Herb