Lobelia’s relaxant property is so widely applicable to restore proper function of various body organs that early-nineteenth-century herbalist-physician Samuel Thomson claimed he could save anyone, using the herb, if he could get to them early enough. His treatment method was oriented towards cleansing the body by inducing vomiting with Lobelia, and using it for an enema at the same time. Then he concluded his treatment by inducing heavy sweating to purify the lymph system.
As a natural muscle relaxant, Lobelia is used to relax the pelvic muscles in preparation for childbirth, and speeding up the delivery of the placenta. It has an interesting action on the central nervous system, stimulating it and relaxing it afterwards. It increases perspiration and urine flow, thereby aiding in fever reduction.
Lobelia is useful for inflammation. Topically, it is used to relief inflammation of muscle tissue and in alleviating muscle tension. This makes it useful for back pains, muscle pulls, and sprains. As an antispasmodic, it is applied towards loosening tightened conditions like spasms, dysentery, migraine headaches, toothaches, seizures, shock, pleurisy, and trismus (lockjaw). Some other antispasmodic herbs are Catnip, Cramp Bark, Juniper berries, Dong Quai, Black Cohosh, and Blue cohosh.
Lobelia, the tobacco weaner
Lobelia earned its claim to fame as the strongest relaxant of all herbs. This is made possible by its alkaloid constituent, lobeline. Lobeline differs from nicotine by only one molecule, in structure. This makes lobeline useful in alleviating nicotine craving. Lobeline or Lobelia is found in some OTC (over the counter) quit-smoking aids for this reason.
Early American Indian tribes smoked Lobelia as a tobacco substitute (thus the alias, “Indian Tobacco”), and used it in high doses to induce vomiting in emergency situations. I’m sure that’s where the herb got its nickname, Puke weed from! They also applied it as a laxative, purging the body of poisons.
Early medicine also used Lobelia in the same way, in emergency narcotics or poison overdose. After the consequent diarrhea and vomiting, a certain sedative-like effect lingers. It was also used to prevent syphilis and as a blood cleanser. It has the ability to remove congestion within the body, especially the blood vessels.
Today, herbalists use Lobelia in a variety of applications including phlegm discharge, bronchiole dilation, and perspiration stimulation. And as a natural sedative, mild laxative and as an antispasmodic.
Other constituents in the “Bladderpod” include cobalt, iron, copper, lead, selenium, manganese, sodium, sulfur, Vitamins A and C. Its sedative quality is brought about by an antidepressant in the leaves of the plant. There are some claims that Lobelia is poisonous, but no study anywhere in the world nor any period of human history supports the claim. Lobelia is fast-acting as a respiratory and nervous system relaxant in liquid extract form.
Its power is even enhanced when used in combination with other herbs, especially with Kava kava and St. John’s Wort. A perfect anti-smoking trio!
Lobelia is not recommended for pregnant women or those with heart complaints.