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Lobelia is an expectorant, a diaphoretic, an anti-asthmatic, an anti-spasmodic and an emetic. It has been used in combination with Mullein for an excellent glandular formula. The American Indians used Lobelia as a cure for syphilis, as a diaphoretic, and to expel worms.

Medicinal Uses

American Indians have long revered lobelia. The plant has been called Indian tobacco because it was smoked by North American Indians, to relieve asthma and other respiratory conditions. Early settlers to America learned to value it with the same esteem, and it was considered a panacea of many ailments.

So esteemed was lobelia by Jethro Kloss, author of the long revered herbal, ‘Back to Eden’, he devoted 26 pages to this herb, which he classed as the most powerful relaxant known among herbs, that had no harmful effects. Most other herbs in his book were only given a page or less to explain their uses. The only other herb he elaborated on, in detail, was cayenne (chilli) to which he devoted 13 pages. Often, he combined cayenne with lobelia, which he said was the best stimulant known. Jethro Kloss believed that lobelia was a most powerful herb for removing disease and promoting health. He said lobelia could loosen disease and open the way for its elimination from the body. Lobelia acted on the regulating centres of the body: the circulation, digestion, nervous and hormonal system. He wrote about the herb’s many uses, and the miraculous healing, time after time, with using it. The writings of renown herbal doctor John Christopher, reiterates the herb’s many uses, and he states that lobelia’s wonderful healing effects are due to its ability to remove congestion and obstructions in the body, particularly in the blood vessels. He said that lobelia could be used in many ways to heal and regenerate the body, for young and old, with only positive results, and he believed it was absolutely harmless.

These two men, and other herbalists, used lobelia for conditions of poor circulation, cold extremities, edema, cardiac pain, fevers, asthma, pneumonia, accumulation of mucus in bronchial tubes, spasmodic coughs, laryngitis, allergies, hypersensitivity syndrome, measles, chicken pox, scarlet fever, tetanus, food poisoning, to arrest spasmodic vomiting, biliousness, blood poisoning, cold sweats, colic, constipation, cramps and muscle spasms, indigestion, nervous conditions, hysteria, convulsions, fainting, fatigue, epilepsy, nervous dyspepsia, deafness, menstrual pain, and to reduce and regulate the violent pains of labour and make the birth easier. For labour pains 1/4-1/2 teasp. of tincture was administered. For respiratory conditions, they believed that there was nothing else, or even half as effective, or as rapid, as lobelia, to clear and clean the air passages. In the smallest dose, the properties of lobelia act to stimulate, dilate and then to relax the bronchial muscles. What is outstanding, is that almost instant relief and benefits are felt, with the standard homeopathic dose.

Lobelia can be made into a poultice for external treatment of bruises, insect bites, sprains, felons, ringworm, erysipelas, and poison ivy irritation. Lobelia plasters and liniments are used to treat sprains, muscle spasms and bruises because of the plant’s relaxing and stimulating effect. Dr. Christopher instructed to make a compress or plaster of lobelia for swellings, pneumonia, pleurisy, boils, etc. For any external problems Dr. Christopher said “Apply a poultice consisting of 1 part lobelia and 2 parts slippery elm.

Here are directions for making your very own lobelia tincture.

First off for a lobelia tincture we use vinegar rather than alcohol. Due to lobelia’s unique constituents and properties lobelia extracts made with vinegar are more effective than those made with alcohol and water. We use 4 oz. of the dry herb to 1 quart solvent in this case organic apple cider vinegar. Put the lobelia in a quart jar and cover with the vinegar. Macerate for two weeks. That means shake it every day when you go past. When the 14 days are up, strain the vinegar out of the lobelia. Put the herb in a cheese cloth and squeeze to get as much good out of it as you can. Compost the spent herb and store your lobelia tincture for future use in a dark glass bottle.