Plant Profile: Lobelia

Lobelia

(Lobelia inflata)

(AKA: Indian tobacco, puke weed, asthma weed, eyebright, wild tobacco, bladder pod)

Family: LOBELIACEAE

Energetics: 

Taste: Acrid

Tissue States: 

Systems Affected: Central Nervous System. Gastrointestinat system

Parts Used: Leaf & seed

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(AKA: Indian tobacco, puke weed, asthma weed, eyebright, wild tobacco, bladder pod)

Family: LOBELIACEAE Energetics: Taste: Acrid Tissue States: Constriction Parts Used: Leaf & seeds. Whole plant. Systems affected: Central Nervous System, Gastrointestinal System, Respiratory System Key Components: Alkaloids Including lobeline, Gum, Resin, Volatile oil, Fixed oil. Preparations & dosage: Formentation: 4 tbsp per pint, steeped 1 hour. Infusion: 1 tsp per cup, drink 4 oz ONCE, Tincture: To make tincture use whole plant 1:10 ratio (1 gram plant per 10 ml menstruum) with alcohol or ACV. 1/2 - 1 tsp for purgative, otherwise Adults 5-10 drops ONCE per day.   Child 1 drop or 1 drop in another liquid. Properties: Emetic, expectorant, anti-spasmodic, diaphoretic, anti-asthmatic, counterirritant. Uses:  Taken in small doses, can relax constricted areas that prevent flow of breath and blood as well as completely suspend the sympathetic nervous system, allowing the parasympathetic nervous system to take over and allowing the body to relax and vessels to dilate. Effective in relaxing stomach spasms, bronchial irritations, gallbladder spasms, strangulated hernias and bodily tension caused by stress. Relaxing action on blood vessels also means it can increase circulation. Specific for hands and feet that are always cold. A few drops in the ear can resolve stubborn pain & congestion. Formentation can quickly draw out pain and is in effective fever reducer. Helps relax the constricted bronchioles from asthma or whooping cough. Purifies the stomach when given in successive small doses (not enough to induce vomiting) are shown to relax the gastrointestinal organs, remove obstructions & eliminate congestion. Lobelia has a similar effect to nicotine making it useful in formulas to quit smoking. Use with eli-pen or if eli-pen is unavailable for anaphylaxis. Indications: Unequal appearance on tongue (coated on one side but not the other, red & stolen on one side, not the other, torqued on one side, etc). Hasn’t been well since quitting smoking. Essential Oil: Flower Essence: Growing: Collection: Contraindications: NOT FOR USE IN PEOPLE WITH HYPERTENSION. NOT TO BE USED IN PREGNANCY. AS A GENERAL RULE A STIMULANT HERB SUCH AS PEPPERMINT SHOULD ALWAYS BE GIVEN A FEW MINUTES BEFORE OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH LOBELIA. NOT FOR LONG TERM USE. THIS PLANT IS ON THE UNITED PLANT SAVERS WATCH LIST.