Lobelia Herb Treats Bronchitis And More
Posted by Bronchitis - 24/08/10 at 03:08 amLobelia (officially lobelia inflata), alias Indian tobacco, was a common herb prescribed by early North American doctors. Its main use was in healing respiratory ailments, such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and coughs. The plant stem, which has only a few branches, is smooth above while the lower part is rough and hairy. The lower leaves, which are about two inches in length, have stalks, while the upper, smaller ones do not. The pale green or yellowish leaves have a sharp taste and a slightly irritating odor. The sparse flowers are pale violet-blue outside and pale yellow 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.
Though not addictive, lobeline works much like nicotine in its effect on the central nervous system. This is why it is a main ingredient of many treatments to help people quit smoking. Lobeline is a relaxant and is used to treat muscle and spastic colon problems. It also dilates the bronchiole tubes and this improves respiration.
Lobelia’s target problems deal with the respiratory system, problems like bronchitis and pneumonia. It stimulates the adrenal glands to release epinephrine, causing the airways to relax. Lobelia’s strong relaxant qualities help to clear obstructions. It relaxes the stomach, a common need in asthmatic children. In fact, many use lobelia to stop asthma attacks instead of an inhaler.
Other practical uses of lobelia include these. Swallow it to expel mucus, remove congestion from the stomach, and to encourage the flow of oxygen rich blood. Rub lobelia tincture or extract on the shoulders of a restless child to help him go to sleep or on the gums of a teething baby. A poultice of lobelia gets rid of ringworm, bruises, and insect bites. It works similar to veratrum and aconite as a seditive. Catnip and lobelia enemas are great for treating mumps, especially in males.
Use lobelia to treat laryngitis in children and for barking coughs. Ellingwood recommended lobelia for the following pathologies: “spasmodic asthma, spasmodic croup, membranous croup, infantile convulsions, whooping cough, puerperal eclampsia, epilepsy, tetanus, hysterical paraxysms, diphtheria, hysterical convulsions, tonsillitis, pneumonia,” among 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.
Lobelia is considered a potentially toxic herb. Special care is advised when using it. Signs of lobelia poisoning may include weakness, heartburn, weak pulse, difficulty breathing, and collapse. People with high blood pressure, heart disease, tobacco sensitivity, paralysis, and seizure disorder should not take lobelia. Lobelia is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Lobelia can be an aggressive emetic, even in relatively small doses if the system is highly toxic. The resulting nausea and vomiting, though unpleasant, will be beneficial to the patient.
