Lobelia(Lobelia inflata)
Other Names:
Indian tobacco, puke weed
Range:
Family:
Campanulaceae - Bellflower Family.
Growth Type:
Annual or biennial
Height:
Can grow to 3 or more feet tall.
Leaves:
Toothed, ovate, leaves up to 3 inches long.
Stem/Trunk:
Erect pubescent stems
Root:
Shallow fibrous root mass
Flower Season:
Summer persisting into autumn
Flower Appearance:
Violet flowers with yellow tinted interiors.
Seed/Fruit:
Inflated seed pods. This is where L. inflata gets its name.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A
Habitat:
Sunny, well drained, disturbed, soils. Can sometimes be found in partially shaded areas.
Parts Used:
Aerial parts of the plant
Culinary Uses:
None Kown
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: Bitter/Pungent
Thermal: Warming
Humidity: Drying
Traditional Medicinal Uses:
The broncodilating properties of this plant make it an excellent choice for the the treatement of Asthma and other lung ailments. I recommend 3-20 drops of tinctured lobelia placed under the tongue to combat asthmatic attacks. In higher doses this plant does possess emetic properties. This means that it may cause nausea and vomiting in some people. Usually this is only in rather large doses though.
Indications:
Asthma, Bronchospasm, Pulmonary Hypertension, Respiratory Congestion
Usage Citations
The fact that studies concerning all indications listed above have not yet been completed, does not mean said uses are invalid. The plants I have included have a long history of effective use, and most were part of the U.S. Pharmacopia prior to the advent of allopathic medicine.
Asthma: Fatoki, Toluwase Hezekiah, Olusola Olalekan Elekofehinti, Afolabi Clement Akinmoladun, and David Morakinyo Sanni. "Functional compounds of Lobelia inflata revealed novel potential targets for chronic cough therapy." J Adv Med Pharma Sci 19 (2018): 1-13.
Bronchospasm (A sudden constriction of the muscles in the bronchial tubes): Stansbury, Jill, Paul Richard Saunders, and Eugene R. Zampieron. "The use of lobelia in the treatment of asthma and respiratory illness." Journal of Restorative Medicine 2, no. 1 (2013): 94.
Pulmonary Hypertension (High blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries): Stansbury, Jill, Paul Richard Saunders, and Eugene R. Zampieron. "The use of lobelia in the treatment of asthma and respiratory illness." Journal of Restorative Medicine 2, no. 1 (2013): 94.
Respiratory Congestion (Chest congestion): Stansbury, Jill, Paul Richard Saunders, and Eugene R. Zampieron. "The use of lobelia in the treatment of asthma and respiratory illness." Journal of Restorative Medicine 2, no. 1 (2013): 94.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
Heart Disease, Pregnancy
Possible Side Effects:
Special Precautions and Warnings
When taken by mouth: Lobelia is LIKELY UNSAFE for most people. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, dizziness, and tremors. Large doses of lobelia may cause serious toxic effects including sweating, convulsions, fast heartbeat, very low blood pressure, coma, and possibly death. Taking 0.6-1 gram of the leaf is said to be toxic, and 4 grams may be fatal.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lobelia is safe or what the side effects might be. It's LIKELY UNSAFE for anyone to take lobelia by mouth. But lobelia is especially dangerous for people with the following conditions:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking lobelia is LIKELY UNSAFE. It can cause serious vomiting. Don't take lobelia if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Stomach or intestinal problems including ulcers, Crohn disease, inflammatory bowel disease, infections, and others: Lobelia can irritate the GI tract, which might make these conditions worse.
Heart disease: Lobelia can affect the heart, especially when taken in large doses. Do not take lobelia if you have heart disease.
Possible Interactions:
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
Lithium interacts with LOBELIA
Lobelia might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking lobelia might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
Medicinal Actions:
Antiasthmatic,
Antispasmodic,
Broncodilator,
Emetic,
Tonic: Nerve
Action Citations
The fact that studies concerning all of the traditional medicinal actions listed above have not yet been completed, does not mean said actions are invalid. The plants I have included have a long history of effective use, and most were part of the U.S. Pharmacopia prior to the advent of allopathic medicine.
Antiasthmatic: Fatoki, Toluwase Hezekiah, Olusola Olalekan Elekofehinti, Afolabi Clement Akinmoladun, and David Morakinyo Sanni. "Functional compounds of Lobelia inflata revealed novel potential targets for chronic cough therapy." J Adv Med Pharma Sci 19 (2018): 1-13.
Antispasmodic: Fatoki, Toluwase Hezekiah, Olusola Olalekan Elekofehinti, Afolabi Clement Akinmoladun, and David Morakinyo Sanni. "Functional compounds of Lobelia inflata revealed novel potential targets for chronic cough therapy." J Adv Med Pharma Sci 19 (2018): 1-13.
Bronchodilator: Stansbury, Jill, Paul Richard Saunders, and Eugene R. Zampieron. "The use of lobelia in the treatment of asthma and respiratory illness." Journal of Restorative Medicine 2, no. 1 (2013): 94.
Emeti: Stansbury, Jill, Paul Richard Saunders, and Eugene R. Zampieron. "The use of lobelia in the treatment of asthma and respiratory illness." Journal of Restorative Medicine 2, no. 1 (2013): 94.
Herbal Preparations For Lobelia inflata
Tincture
Part Used: Flowering plant
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:4
To make your healthful tincture, add 188 grams of fresh plant material to a quart mason jar and then pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 5-20 drops up to 4 times daily as needed to manage asthma symptoms
Acetum (Vinegar) Extract
Extracts made from dried plant material is inferior to that of fresh. It is however, best when made as an Acetum (vinegar) extract.
Part Used: Herb
Plant State: Dried
In Vinegar:
Plant to VInegar Ratio: 1:5
To make your Acetum extract, place 150 grams of dried plant material into a quart mason jar. Now pour in 750 ml of white vinegar. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the vinegar extract can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the Extract has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your Acetum extract will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 10-20 drops as needed
