Lobelia (Lobelia Inflata)

Lobelia (Lobelia Inflata) has a long use as a medicinal plant, as an entheogenic, emetic, and a dermatological and respiratory aid. Native Americans used it to treat respiratory and muscle disorders, as a purgative, and as a ceremonial medicine. The plant was used as a traditional medicinal plant by the Cherokee, Iroquois, Penobscot, and other indigenous peoples. The foliage was burned by the Cherokee as a natural insecticide, to smoke out gnats. It was widely used in the pre-Columbian New England region, long before the time of Samuel Thomson, who was erroneously credited as discovering it.

Lobelia is a fragile flower described as light bluish to violet in color with a touch of yellow that can grow to a height of about three feet. It is a very popular garden plant that also has pale green or yellowish leaves. It is categorized as an annual or biennial plant meaning that it reseeds every year or two. The stem is smooth towards the top and hairy and rough towards its bottom. The flowers are asymmetrical and bisexual. The main parts used of the Lobelia plant are the flowering parts and the seeds. The seeds are the most potent because they contain lobeline, a piperidine alkaloid.

Medicinal Benefits

Lobelia is an herb that is used to treat asthma, allergies, whooping cough, congestion, and bronchitis. In the past, it was also useful for tobacco withdrawal as an herbal remedy to quit smoking.

Methods of Use

Vinegar tincture or a regular tincture.

Fluid extract.

Dried herb for teas or in capsules.

Smoked with rolling papers, pipe, or vaporizer.

Effects

The primary active constituent in lobelia, responsible for its beneficial characteristics, is an alkaloid known as lobeline. Lobeline is an expectorant, diaphoretic, and bronchodilator that is able to support the respiratory system in a multidimensional way. As an expectorant, lobeline helps break down congestion and thin mucus. That, combined with its bronchodilating effects, helps to open the airway and encourage deeper, stronger breathing.

Lobelia is useful fo breaking a nicotine habit as it connects to the nicotine receptors and helps during the nicotine withdrawal phase. Cherokee smoked to break the Tobacco habit.

Side Effects

Lobelia is considered a potentially toxic herb because of its lobeline affiliation. It can cause serious side effects, such as profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, rapid heartbeat, mental confusion, convulsions, hypothermia, coma, and possibly even death.

It is important to begin with lower dosages and increase the dosage over a period of time.It is also imperative that you never surpass a dosage of 20 mg per day. If you consume a dosage higher than 500 mg, it could be fatal.

Where to buy Lobelia?

Lobelia is available on Amazon, and eBay. You can always find great deals on these sites.