PARTS USED:
- Aerial parts including seed pods
USES:
Lobelia is an almost pure relaxant, and thus able to open obstructions to the skin, circulation, nervous system, muscles, respiratory tract, and all organs that depend to any extent on nerve impulses
Respiratory
- Acts on the vagus nerve – controls spasms in bronchi, diaphragm, and stomach
- Expectorant – helps in colds, URTI, pneumonia, emphysema
- Bronchodilation down to bronchioles – a specific for asthma, bronchitis – creates a sharp rise in peak flows
- Chronic cough – allergies/post-nasal drip
- Whooping cough, croup, tonsillitis
- Relaxing expectorant – helps clear secretions
- Antispasmodic
- Good for those who experience wheezing and airway narrowing due to anxiety and stress
- Vets are exploring the use for COPD in horses – may be useful in humans
GI
Helps relax the inner organs/intestines enough that they ‘unkink’ and allow tension/stones to pass
Antispasmodic properties
- Colitis
- Diarrhea
- Gallstones
- Stomach spasms
- Esophageal spasms
- Angina
- Back spasms
Hiatal hernia
Neuro
- General depressant action on the Central Nervous System and on neuromuscular activity
- Used in combination to further relaxation
- Can help improve memory and concentration
- May help with depression
- Epilepsy/Seizures – specifically good for petit mal seizures
- Tetanus
- May help with concentration and reducing hyperactivity in ADHD/ADD
- May help with depression
- Reduces stress hormones in the blood (study)
- Aids brain-signaling pathways – good for Parkinson’s, Lewy Body Dementia
Anywhere you need an antispasmodic
Antioxidant
Addiction
- Smoking cessation – lobeline attaches to nicotine receptors
- May help in the treatment of drug addiction – interacts with brain receptors responsible for the release of neurotransmitters that makes drugs addictive
Essential oil has been shown to have antimicrobial action, even as a diffused oil
- Good against Klebsiella, pneumoniae, Staph aureus
Used by many birth workers to help relax the uterus
PREPARATION:
- Infusion
- Tincture
- Syrup
- Poultice
SIDE EFFECTS AND TOXICITY:
- Contraindicated in CV disease – can cause tachycardia and hypertension
- Similar side effects to nicotine and tobacco
- Strong emetic if taken in high doses
- No known interactions with medications
- Do not use during pregnancy or lactation
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Listed as an asthma remedy by the United States Pharmacopeia from 1820 until 1920
- A standardized extract of Lobeline was used in modern medicine as recently as the 1970’s
- One of the most interesting Native American magical uses is throwing a bit of powdered lobelia into the air to ward off thunderstorms
- Some brands of prescription chewing gums that are used to quit smoking have lobeline as a main ingredient
