Lobelia’s official name is lobelia inflata but it is also known as Indian tobacco. It was a very common herb prescribed by early North American doctors. Its main use was in healing respiratory ailments such as asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and coughs. The plant stem, which has only a few branches, is smooth on top while the lower part is rough and hairy. The lower leaves, about two inches in length, have stalks, while the upper, smaller ones don’t. The leaves are pale green or yellow and have a sharp taste and an uninviting odor. The sparse flowers are pale violet-blue on the outside and pale yellow on the inside.

Lobelia is made up of chelidonic acid, pungent volatile oil (lobelianin), various alkaloids, a bitter glycoside (lobelacrin), a resin, fats, and gum. The alkaloid lobeline is its most important ingredient. Others include lobelanine, lobelidine, lobelanidine, nor-lobelaine, nor-lobelanidine, and isolobenine, and it also contains fourteen pyridine alkaloids.

Lobeline is a main ingredient of most all quit smoking treatments. This is because it works much like nicotine in its effect on the central nervous system without being addictive. The herb is used to treat spastic colon and muscle problems because of its relaxant qualities.  Lobeline also dilates the bronchioles which helps breathing.

Lobelia’s claim to fame is its success in treating respiratory problems like bronchitis and pneumonia. One thing it does is to stimulate the adrenal glands to release the hormone epinephrine. This causes the airways to relax. As we said, lobelia is a strong relaxant and clears obstructions in the breathing passages. It also relaxes the stomach, a common need for asthmatic children. In fact, many people have used it in place of inhalers to stop asthma attacks.

Other practical ways to use lobelia’s qualities include these. Rub lobelia tincture or extract on the shoulders of a restless child; this is an excellent way to help him go to sleep. Rub the extract on the gums of a teething baby. Take it internally to expel mucus, remove congestion from the stomach, and to encourage the flow of oxygenized blood. A poultice can be applied for ringworm, bruises, and insect bites. Catnip and lobelia enemas are good for treating mumps in males. As a sedative it is said to rank somewhere between veratrum and aconite.

Lobelia is also useful in treating laryngitis in children and to get rid of barking coughs. Ellingwood recommended lobelia for the following problems: “spasmodic asthma, membranous croup, whooping cough, spasmodic croup, infantile convulsions, puerperal eclampsia, epilepsy, tetanus, hysterical paraxysms, diphtheria, hysterical convulsions, tonsillitis, pneumonia,” and several others.

Lobelia is available for internal use as a dried herb, in a liquid extract form, and as tinctures. Externally, it is available in ointments, lotions, suppositories, and plasters. You can make a tea by mixing ¼ to ½ teaspoon of the dried herb with eight ounces of water. Then let it steep for 30 to 40 minutes. Take two ounces of this four times a day but, be warned, many think it tastes awful! Take .6 to 2 ml of the tincture each day. This is based on a 150 pound adult. Adjust dosage for children proportionately.

Because of the danger of lobelia poisoning, caution is in order. Signs of this may include weak pulse, difficulty breathing, weakness, heartburn, and collapse. People with tobacco sensitivity, high blood pressure, paralysis, heart disease, and seizure disorder should check with a doctor before taking it. Neither is lobelia recommended by some for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Because lobelia is an aggressive emetic, expect nausea and vomiting if a patient is highly toxic, even if it is given in small doses. Though this isn’t pleasure, it is good for the patient.