Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)

Overview of Lobelia

Lobelia is an herb that opens you up. For the person without air, without a voice, who feels deflated or suspects a deflation deep within themselves — Lobelia inflata is a powerful and helpful herb. Its name, inflata, is derived from the way in which the flowers inflate into puffy pods upon constructing their seeds. Just as it is seen in Nature, so too may it act in a similar way upon the emotional and mental bodies of the man/woman who consumes it. 
I remember a moment over a decade ago, as a shy, confused, conflicted and inexpressive youth; that one day with a combination of meditation and cannabis, I became totally enlivened all of a sudden – completely myself. I was free for 5 minutes. As that state wore off, as I tried to claw it back, I found myself breathing very deeply, frantically, as one would after coming out of a long seizure, and I came upon the realisation– my inability to express myself, my confusion of self, it’s because I haven’t been getting enough air! 

Whether that anecdote reveals one of the causes of shy and insecure tendencies in general, and whether a lack of oxygenated blood (mostly lacking in the brain) is its primary cause, is perhaps unprovable. But where else but Nature can we hope to find the answers to such questions? In my experience, just as the balloon-like seed-pod of lobelia inflata hints to us, this herb inflates and gives air to the deflated person. For troubles with the throat, the personality, low sense of self, and the voice, this is a considerable herb. 

Physiologically, lobelia works fundamentally upon the following systems of the physical body: it is an invaluable anti-spasmodic, and is especially useful in cases of asthma, to be used as needed when a flare up occurs. It’s also an excellent expectorant, with the unique ability of stimulating & relaxing the nervous system simultaneously (similarly to the effect of tobacco), and the tissue/blood vessels of the respiratory system simultaneously as well, helping the breaking and expulsion of mucous (the root-cause of most respiratory complaints). It also has a powerful effect on the circulatory system (blood + lymph), bringing life to areas of stagnation or vegetation, increasing oxygenation of blood, and revitalising what was dormant. 

Table of Contents

Phytochemistry & Energetics
Piperidine alkaloids (including lobeline, isolobinine, lobelanine, lobelanidine)
Bitter glycoside (lobelacrin)
Resin, Gum, Fats, Chelidonic Acid, carboxylic acids
Pungent volatile oil (lobelianin)
 
Energetics: Relaxing, slightly drying, slightly warming
Organs/Glands affinity: Respiratory system, Circulatory system (Cardiovascular+Lymphatic), Nervous system (mostly ANS), Muscular system, Chest, Throat, Head. 
lobelia
Description

Family: Campanulaceae
Parts used: Seedpods, flowers, leaves

An annual or biennial herb with an erect, angular, hairy stem, growing up to 1 meter high, containing a milky sap. The thin, light green leaves are alternate, hairy, ovate, and bluntly serrate. Numerous small, two-lipped, violet-blue flowers, tinted pale yellow within, grow in spike-like racemes from July to November. The base of the flowers expands to form the two-celled seed capsule, which is the source of the name “inflata”. The capsule is filled with small brown seeds.

The colour of the dried herb is a yellowish green, the odour irritating, the taste, after chewing, very much like tobacco, burning and acrid, causing a flow of saliva. The powder has a greenish colour, but that of the seeds is brown, and stains paper with grease.

 
Medicinal Actions

Respiratory Stimulant
Expectorant
Spasmolytic
Anti-asthmatic
Nervine
Relaxant
Emetic
Diaphoretic

Historical Uses
  • Named after the renowned botanist, Matthias de Lobel, who once had the prestige of an entire plant family being named after him (Lobeliaceae). In the 1990s, the Lobeliaceae family was reclassified to Campanulaceae (Bellflower family) due to advances in genetic analysis, but the name of Lobelia inflata remains unchanged in honour of the botanist. 
  • The plant was known to the Penobscot  and Wampanoag was widely used in New England long before the time of Samuel Thomson, who is credited with its discovery. It was brought into general professional use by Cutler of Massachusetts.
  • Native Americans smoked it instead of tobacco, for both Lobelia and Tobacco have nicotine-like alkaloids which stimulate and relax the nervous system simultaneously, and was used for asthma and similarly convulsive respiratory conditions. 
  • The physiomedicalists of the 19th century considered the herb one of their best major relaxants, using it to treat pain caused by spasm. 
  • “Is a general systemic relaxant with diffusive stimulation – best where arterial action is strong. Equalizes circulation and relieves vascular tension. Vaso-motor stimulant -increases the activity of vegetative processes. Influences glandular system and respiratory tubuli.” -Priest & Priest
natural health practitioner calgary

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Medicinal Uses
  • Asthma – lobelia is both anti-spasmodic and transitory (short-lived) in the system when taken internally, excellent for asthma flare ups. 
  • Bronchitis
  • Hiccoughs (a great way to discover the power of any anti-spasmodic herb is by taking 1/2 a tincture dropper)
  • Croup
  • Whooping cough
  • Sinusitus
  • Anti-spasmodic applications for spastic constipation, certain cases of IBS
  • Aid in quitting smoking – a practical and excellent use case for this herb. It acts upon the same nicotine ACh receptors as tobacco, and creates a feeling of nausea which becomes associated with smoking. Smoking it is probably the best way to achieve the desired physiological and psychological effects simultaneously. 
  • Spastic muscle conditions & sprains
  • Epilepsy
  • When there is a feeling of oppression in the chest or throat
  • For intense, sharp pain starting in the heart and radiating to the left shoulder/arm
  • In cases of full, oppressed, weak pulse
Cultivation

An annual plant native to south-eastern Canada and the USA. Does well in USDA zones 3-9. It grows well in full sun to partial shade. Does well in average, well-drained soil. Will not out-compete weeds well, so best to plant in a clean bed / weed regularly. Plant spacing 12 inches per plant and 14 in between rows. 

Propagation: Begin with seeds in plugs indoors, planting the saplings in early spring. It is a light-dependent germinator, so do not cover it completely with soil. Add a fine dusting of potting mix over the placed seeds, and be cautious with watering as they will wash out. Once the seedlings develop, transplant once more into larger plugs before transplanting outdoors. 

The flowers, seedpods and leaves of lobelia are used medicinally, and store-bought products are typically a combination of all three (and possibly the less valuable stem as well). The seedpods are the most potent in the desired alkaloids, and a tincture of them would have a more powerful effect than the usual combination of aerial parts and seed pods combined. 

Cautions & Contraindications

The FDA considers lobelia to be poisonous, many sources claiming that its use can lead to convulsions, coma, and death. These are the potential effects of its principle alkaloid (isolated), lobeline, but there is little to no evidence of the whole herb causing these events. Lobelia will make you throw up if you take too much. 
This herb can cause severe symptoms, such as vomiting, profuse sweating, deep relaxation, and nausea, but these symptoms typically pass rapidly. 

Do Not Use for: Pregnancy, nicotine sensitivity, hypertension (hbp), arrythmia, bundle branch block, heart valve disease,  general relaxation, dyspnoea (difficulty breathing) from enlarged or fatty heart, hydropericardium (fluid retention in heart), or enfeebled heart, with valvular incompetence, adrenal burnout, after nervous breakdown, chronic fatigue syndrome
Essentially, it is unwise to attempt to open the body up aggressively via the blood/respiratory system if there are weaknesses in the heart or general exhaustion. If you have heart problems, there are other herbs which can be used to regain vitality and function before utilising such an herb as lobelia. 

Dosages 

Infusion: Max 600mg/day (.6g)
Tincture: Fresh (1:2, 95% alcohol); Dried (1:8, 60% alcohol) 
1.8-5mL/day ; 12.5mL-35mL/week
Capsule: 1/4-1 capsule (100-500mg)  per day. 

Caution: It is especially important of this herb to not exceed the recommended guidelines of daily intake. 

*note: I am uncertain of the best alcohol % for seedpods alone, the above dosages pertain to a combination of seedpod, flower, and leaf. 

This Post was all about Lobelia inflata (Lobelia)..

If you've read the entire article, well done! You're well on your way to increasing your knowledge of natural food and health and escaping the cave. Please leave a comment if you have any additional details, comments, or questions. Sign up to the newsletter for discounts and updates, follow us on one of our social media, and I hope to see you again in a later post by Plato's Garden. If you are seeking an Iridology reading, an herbalist, or are ready for a Detox Odyssey, check out our website.
J.R. McArthur
Herbalist

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