The use that most of lobelia’s common names refers to is certainly a main use; that of an emetic. It is this very property which has an expectorant affect in pulmonary complaints that makes it so useful in asthma.[1] Mr. Hool, a nineteenth century herbalist, said “In . . . mucus and spasmodic croup the tincture must be administered promptly and in full teaspoonful doses in warm water and repeated at intervals of every ten or fifteen minutes until free vomiting ensues, as it is necessary in all such cases to induce complete relaxation of the system, by means of full emetic doses repeated at suitable intervals.” According to “The Medicines of Nature” the acid tincture of lobelia is “extremely useful as an emetic when one feels that the stomach should be thoroughly cleansed”. Favored over ipecacuanha, a common emetic of the day, herbalists felt lobelia was, “as kind and destitute of all hazard as ipecacuanha, though it is more efficient”, “not only cleansing the stomach but having a beneficial influence over every part of the body.”[2]

Though lobelia is an excellent emetic, it is a strange fact that when given in small doses for an irritated stomach, it will stop spasmodic vomiting. A fact not so strange when you realize that it has been used as a nerve/muscle relaxant for generations.[3] “Spasmodic movement is incompatible with nervous and muscular relaxation, hence we find prompt relief in many spasmodic conditions by the use of this drug.”  –“King’s American Dispensatory”.[4]

The Native Americans believed in afternoon tea, generally herbal drinks which the settlers came to call “relaxers”. Priddy Meeks, who had accompanied Brigham Young on the great hegira, developed a modest compositae of these for external application. “To relax any contraction of the system whatever,” he advised, “take equal quantities of yellow dock, dandelion, burdock, and lobelia, all finely pulverized and put in eight ounces to a quart of the best alcohol. Let it stand for ten days, shake well, and use as a wash, always rubbing downward.”[5]

So effective is lobelia on the nervous system that it has been used in nearly any and all afflictions of it, controlling and quieting spasms. So safe that a few drops of lobelia tincture were rubbed on the gums of babies in convulsions to calm them.[6]  The tincture or tea was given internally as well, combined with a little cayenne for the same purpose. If occurring after a meal it was recommended that enough would be given to cause vomiting. Lobelia was used to relax colicky babies by rubbing the tincture of lobelia on the spine.[7] In addition to baby convulsions lobelia has been used in treating lock jaw (tetanus), epilepsy, chorea (nervous disease with involuntary and irregular movements), cramps, nervousness, hysteria, delirium tremens, fainting, shock, heat stroke, poisoning by strychnine, ptomaine, and toadstools, suspended animation and even hydrophobia (rabies) and worm fits.[8]

Thomson wrote, “In cases where the spasms are so violent that they are stiff, and the jaws become set, by pouring some of this liquid into the mouth between the cheek and teeth, as soon as it touches the glands roots of the tongue, the spasms will relax, and the jaw will become loosened so that the mouth will open; then give a dose of it, and as soon as the spasms have abated, repeat it. After this, administer appropriate restorative or tonic herbs.”[9] The Eclectics found the above statement to be true as well and utilized the oil of lobelia for the treatment of tetanus and other extreme cases finding it “easy to introduce enough upon the tongue to relax the whole system immediately”.[10]

Another extreme case where lobelia has been used and found effective is poisoning, intentional or otherwise. The extract has been used as an emergency measure to revive a person who has overdosed on a narcotic and in combinations to assist in overcoming drug withdrawal.[11] In one instance cited in the “American Materia Medica” (1919) a child thoroughly poisoned with strychnine was saved by thirty drop doses repeated every half hour. He had eaten one-third of a grain. Ellingwood also stated “In every case of ptomaine poisoning, in which the agent has been used, it has covered all the indications and has proved fully successful. It has been used in many instances.” Even those poisoned with toadstools have been saved “In one case . . . seven individuals were thoroughly poisoned. One woman was very near death when the first injection was given. All were saved very promptly by the persistent and repeated use of full doses of this remedy. In many instances when the dose was given, the immediate effect was plainly apparent.”- Ellingwood.[12]

If you thought lobelia has enough miraculous powers ascribed to it in being a remedy for tetanus and an antidote for fatal poisons, happily, you are wrong. Lobelia has also been used to cure or rather prevent hydrophobia (rabies) a deadly “incurable” disease. Instructions were “Steep 1 tablespoonful of lobelia in 1 pint of boiling water and drink as much as possible to induce vomiting and cleansing of the stomach. Follow this mixture with a high enema of lobelia and catnip.”, “This treatment should be given immediately after the person is attacked”.[13]

Who wants to suffer pain? not I or anyone else. Those who knew of the marvelous properties of lobelia employed it as a pain reliever as well. Dr. Christopher stated, “People writhing in pain and rolling on the floor have been immediately calmed with the administering of one half-teaspoonful of tincture of lobelia.” and “Terrific pain from muscle over-exertion has been abated by massaging lobelia into the affected muscles. This relief has been so quick, patients have called it “blessed”. His simple explanation was “Lobelia in combination with other herbs, quickly draws out both pain and congested blood.”[14] Ellingwood gave a more detailed elucidation “Lobelia relieves pain due to spasm of any character. But in its antispasmodic and relaxing influence it is not narcotic in the same sense as opium. It exercises a soothing influence over nerve irritability, and a distinct anodyne result ensues. General relief from pain often follows when other measures have failed. The pain from renal or hepatic stone is more quickly relieved by it and more permanently, often, than by morphine because of the general relaxation.”[15]

Many women would answer in the affirmative to the statement, that giving birth has been the most painful experience in their life. The answer might well be negative if she had known the blessings of lobelia. Many births have been remarkably eased by the use of lobelia, despite the mother’s past history of difficult deliveries.[16] The eclectics valued lobelia in obstetrical practice claiming “It powerfully subdues muscular rigidity. It is the remedy to overcome a rigid os uteri during parturition, and at the same time relaxes the perineal tissues. This it does when there is fullness of tissue – a thick, doughy, yet unyielding, os uteri; when, however the edge of the os is thin and closely drawn, sharp like a knife edge, full doses of gelsemium are indicated.”[17] Some midwives say that a lobelia enema cuts the pain by half and tincture of lobelia can relax your whole body and your cervix enough to help in opening up. Though the above is true it is good to insert a caution here as well. Midwives have also found too much lobelia can cause vomiting and actually retard labor.[18]

Effective even for after pains, one lady after trying numerous remedies with no relief, gave this testimony “finally I purchased some cayenne tincture (hot!) and tincture of lobelia. I put a big squirt of each, . . . into a cup of diluted grape juice, which I drank every time I felt the pains or started to nurse. I was grateful to have the cayenne and lobelia - - but more grateful when the pains finally stopped.”[19]  For others menstrual disorders may be the reason for their pain. In these cases if lobelia was used with other herbs such as pennyroyal, the pain and contraction were relieved and normalcy established.[20]

My favorite aspect of lobelia, its selectiveness, is best illustrated by the following. Dr. Christopher said, “When a fetus is dead, or in an extremely weakened condition, lobelia will cause it to abort, However, if the fetus is well and healthy, and the mother is weak, it will cause the mother to heal and strengthen, enabling her to carry the child until the proper time of delivery. Lobelia accurately and intelligently selects which way it is to go. It is truly a “thinking” herb. With the use of lobelia, a dead fetus will be passed in abortion, rather than remaining inside the mother’s body.”  And here is a bright story to clarify just what he meant by the above statements, “Dr. Christopher was lecturing in a large city when a young man came up to the podium to shake his hand; he nearly shook the Doctor’s hand off! . . . His mother had told him that one night when the weather was fifty below zero, the Doctor had traveled forty miles to their home. The mother was aborting, ready to lose her baby. The Doctor had given her some herbs [no doubt false unicorn and lobelia] and saved the baby – and the young man was that baby! He was about twenty-five years old. He said, “I enjoy life. I love you, sir, and I had to thank you.”[21]

Another quality utilized throughout the years, is lobelia’s ability to break up congestion. “The Model Botanic Guide to Health” stated, “It tends to remove obstructions from every part of the system, and is felt even to the ends of the toes; . . .”[22] Two ways this quality has been used that you probably wouldn’t think of are treating laryngitis and earache. Those who used it found lobelia “will relieve congestion of the mucous membranes and will usually give prompt relief in cases of laryngitis.” [23] And for earache “two drops of garlic oil followed by two drops of tincture of lobelia, plugged with a bit of cotton, often removes the pain and the congestion.”[24] The cleansing effect of this herb has been recommended and apparently used very successfully in various liver diseases. Jethro Kloss gave these instructions “In bad [asthma] cases where the liver is affected and the skin yellow, combine equal parts of pleurisy root, catnip, and bitterroot. Steep a teaspoonful in a cup of boiling water. Give two tablespoonfuls every two hours hot.”[25]

As Lobelia has such a powerful effect on the muscles and the nervous system, it makes sense it has also been used as a cardio-tonic in circulation formulas. Dr. Christopher said, “Lobelia is especially important in removing obstruction and congestion within the body, especially the blood vessels. If there is depression through the vasomotor system, it corrects this, and strengthens the muscular action of the vessel walls which propel the blood, thus being a key to health throughout the body.” Jethro Kloss found lobelia “makes the pulse fuller and slower in cases of inflammation and fever . . . reduces palpitation of the heart”.[26] 

The eclectics used it for a variety of heart conditions. This is what they had to say “in acute heart failure with imminent danger, a full injection is demanded. Many lives have been saved by its peculiar sustaining influence. . . . Heart conditions depending upon feebleness or lack of tone or of muscular power should have occasional regular doses of this agent. It can be given with more freedom than any other heart stimulant. . . . The prompt and satisfactory effect of lobelia upon angina pectoris has been known for fifty years or more, the old prescribers giving it by the mouth freely and with positiveness for this disorder.” The “old prescribers” would certainly include Thomson and his agents.[27]

The use of Lobelia as a diaphoretic goes way back to the Indians. Thomson and others after him used it to raise the internal heat of the body, inducing sweating. Colby, a Thomsonian, felt that the diaphoretic action was due to lobelia’s relaxing properties. He said, “. . . its mode of producing this effect is by relaxing, through nervous action, the contracted mouths of the emunctories or pores of the skin, and letting off the portion of the blood called perspiration.”[28] Jethro Kloss claimed “The use of lobelia in fevers is superior to any other remedy.” To clarify, he further stated “Lobelia alone cannot cure, but it is very beneficial if given in connection with other measures, such as an enema of catnip infusion morning and evening. The enema should be given even if the patient is delirious. It will relieve the brain.”[29]

Dominion Herbal College, Lesson 26, gives Mr. Hool’s method of treating scarlet fever “I have seen in my time some of the worst cases of scarlet fever cured by the following simple treatment, even when death seemed to have set in and there has been no apparent hope of recovery. I have gone into such cases and caused to be administered one teaspoonful of the antispasmodic tincture of lobelia in a little water made warm, and given every half hour until the patient seemed easier. Then make up a good fire in the room, have clean underclothing warm and ready to put on. “Then get two quarts of hot water and one quart of the best malt vinegar. Mix the water and vinegar together, bring the patient near the fire and wash the body all over with the vinegar and water and wipe dry. Put the clean clothing on and clean sheets on the bed. Put the patient back in bed and give a teaspoonful of the preparation (antispasmodic tincture) in warm tea (herbal tea) or warm water every two hours afterwards, taking care to wash with vinegar and warm water every day and Hey Preste, the patient will be on the highway to recovery. I have treated some scores of cases of scarlet fever in the above way, and never lost a single case by death.” –Mr. Hool[30]

Lobelia poultices or the tincture was used for sprains, wounds, blood poisoning, bruises, stings of insects, and poison ivy/oak, ringworm, erysipelas and other skin diseases. Instructions to make the poultice were “Use one-third lobelia to two-thirds slippery elm bark.” or “combine with an equal part of slippery elm bark and weak lye-water”. Considered useful “to assist suppuration (formation of, conversion into or discharge of pus)”, lobelia was added to poultices for abscesses, boils, felons, and carbuncles. Hot fomentations were used as well in external inflammations, such as rheumatism. [31]

Students at Dr. Christopher’s school, suffering from some injury, such as hitting a finger with a hammer, have immediately soaked the injured part in tincture of lobelia. This removed the pain at once.[32] The infusion or diluted tincture applied externally was often found to be more effective for relaxing muscles than internally, lending it useful for back problems where muscle tension was a key factor.[33] Because of its ability to soothe muscle soreness, particularly smooth muscle, it has been called blessed lobelia.[34]

Because of lobeline’s (one of lobelia’s alkaloids) chemical similarity to nicotine, lobelia was the subject of intensive research as a possible “quit smoking” medication in the 1970’s. Stop-smoking products containing lobelia or the alkaloid lobeline were sold over the counter up until 1993. The “quit smoking” lozenges, patches and chewing gums were said to decrease the desire for tobacco since the lobeline salts make the nicotine taste terrible and appease the physical needs for nicotine without addictive effects. The FDA decided that there was a lack of adequate data proving that OTC smoking deterrents, including those with lobelia or its alkaloids, were safe and effective. December 1^st 1993 all antismoking products containing lobeline in any form were pulled from the shelves. Herbalists continue to use the herb lobelia to help people give up smoking. Over-the-counter “stop smoking” products are still used in other countries.[35]

I’ve saved the most interesting part of lobelia’s history for last. The controversy as to whether lobelia is a safe and miracle working herb or a deadly poison has continued for over 200 years. How could it be that the very herb that Dr. Christopher said, “is one of the greatest herbs ever given to the world” And Dr. Thomson “there is no vegetable which the earth produces more harmless in its effect on the human system, and none more powerful in removing disease and promoting health than lobelia” has been called poison? Why is it that the very herb that Thomson, the Eclectics, Dr. Christopher, Jethro Kloss and many others, ascribed nearly miraculous powers to has been called a dangerous herb even to this day?[36]

It all started with Samuel Thomson, the arch enemy, of the medical professionals of his day. Lobelia was his No. 1 remedy so when they attacked Thomson they attacked lobelia, which they called by such derogatory names as screw auger. Much of the ill-treatment Thomson received at the hands of the medical professionals, namely a Dr. French, was no doubt due to the fact that Thomson cured folks they had given up as incurable. Dr. French, after failing to ruin Thomson’s practice with false reports or frighten him with threats, had Thomson arrested. Thomson was charged with murdering a man with lobelia, and thrown in prison. At his trial the witnesses that were called up against him made fools of themselves, as the medicine they claimed was lobelia proved to be marsh-rosemary which even the regular medical doctors used. Dr. French, seeing the evidence was against him, dropped all charges stating that “the prisoner (Thomson) had practiced in the part of the country where he lived, with good success; and his medicine was harmless . . .” Nevertheless those against lobelia still make mention of the fact that Thomson was charged for murdering a man with lobelia, conveniently forgetting to mention that he was found “not guilty”.[37]

Since even today there are those who feel lobelia is too dangerous for common folk to use[38] and as I will be giving their feelings on the matter under the heading contra-indications, I thought it good to quote here some of the praises that have been lauded on lobelia by those who have used it and proved it’s worth. Jethro Kloss claimed “Lobelia is the most powerful relaxant known among the herbs that have no harmful effects. . . . acts differently upon different people, but it will not hurt anyone.”[39] “There are so many cases of miraculous healings with the use of lobelia that it would take pages to cite the details. There is truly no end to the ways in which lobelia may be used to heal and regenerate the body.” –“School of Natural Healing”[40]

The writers of “The Model Botanic Guide to Health” had this to say concerning lobelia’s being called a poison “We consider it one of the best remedies in the whole materia medica: and are confident – the old women’s stories in the books, (meaning the medical school books) to the contrary not withstanding – that lobelia is a valuable, a safe, and sufficiently gentle article of medicine; and we think the time will come when it will be much better appreciated. Little, however of its value, can be specified within the compass of a single sheet of paper. We not only give it to our patients, but take it ourselves whenever we have the occasion for an emetic. We can assure the public that it can be used without apprehension or danger; we have given it to infants a few months old.”[41]

Those who have listed lobelia as a poison, have done so, not out of practical experience but have simply copied the words of others without searching it out.[42] “The Model Botanic Guide to Health” made the strong statement “Medical men are often deluded by giving heed to mere opinions instead of noticing facts; but men who have divested themselves of that which has been taught them in medical schools have discovered truth from error.”[43]

Concerning the misclassification of lobelia as a “poison” Dr. Nowell said “So successfully did he (Dr. Thomson) use it, that the regulars of his day classed it a poison, as some writers said only a poison could bring about the speedy results that Dr. Thomson obtained by its use.” Dr. Christopher felt “As for lobelia being a poison, this myth has been promulgated by allopaths to dissuade potential patients from using this God-given herb and being healed.”[44]

Much has been written as to whether lobelia is a poison or not. Is not practical experience far better than theory?[45] Throughout the years of Dr. Christopher’s practice, “lobelia was administered many times, with numerous miraculous healings. Time after time, lobelia has helped the very young to the very old, with positive results when used correctly.” –“School of Natural Healing”. Once Dr. Christopher quickly swallowed as much as four tablespoons of honey-sweetened tincture of lobelia at one time, mistaking it for apple cider vinegar. After retching and vomiting profusely from the emetic properties of the herb, he felt nothing but improvement, and suffered no damage whatsoever, only a good cleaning out! Dr. Christopher stated “That it has no poisonous properties we very definitely affirm. Dr. H. Nowell used it for nearly thirty years, in all manner of cases, and at all ages. . . . if half that is said against it by the medical profession were true, thousands should have been dead from its use. It is a very powerful herb, however, and, like other powerful herbs, must be used wisely.” –“School of Natural Healing”[46]

Authors of “The Model Botanic Guide to Health” state “We can bear testimony that it is harmless when given in a proper manner; we never saw any evil effect, and our experience should be worth something when we say that we have sold in our practice upwards of one hundred pounds weight per year for seventy years past, which according to the notions of some medical men, would have been sufficient to poison one-half the population of England.”[47]

Throughout all the nineteenth-century prosecutions, there has never been a single instance of harm resulting from the use of lobelia. Even back in Thomson’s day there were studies showing its safety. Prof. W. (William) Tully of Yale College, wrote to Dr. H. Lee of Middletown, Conn., March 22^nd, 1838: Lobelia inflata is entirely destitute of any narcotic powers. I have been in the habit of employing this article for twenty-seven years, in large quantities and for a long period, without the least trace of any narcotic effect. I have used the very best official tincture in the quantity of three fluid ounces in twenty-four hours, and for four and seven days in succession, and I have likewise given three large tablespoonfuls of it within half an hour, without the least indication of any narcotic operation. I have known four and five tobacco pipes full of it smoked in immediate succession and without any narcosis, and I have also known it to be given by enema with the same result. . . .Dr. Bigelow, of Boston, was the first person who ascribed narcotic powers to this agent, and he did this in 1817, but not from his own observation. “I am confident (the old women’s stories in the book are to the contrary notwithstanding) that lobelia is a valuable, a safe, and a sufficiently gentle article of medicine, and I think the time will come when it will be much better appreciated”. –prof. W. Tully of Yale College[48] 

Lobelia vindicates itself through the very properties that some say prove it is poisonous. It is true that an overdose would kill you, but even if you were able to swallow enough to do so, you would vomit it right back up. The emetic properties are a built in overdose prevention. Is it not further proof of the wisdom of our Creator, who designed lobelia for our good? Lobelia has even been used where poison has been given in mistake for the purpose of discharging the contents of the stomach. I find it interesting that the very herb some say is a poison, in knowledgeable hands is an antidote to poison.[49]

The final absurdity of this whole issue is the alternative – the truly poisonous, inorganic antidotes that are offered by orthodoxy in most official publications as “remedies” against purported lobelia “poisoning.” I found an interesting description of the “poisonous” plant lobelia and treatment for “poisoning” by it, in “Wood’s Household Practice of Medicine” under the heading Poisons: Their effects and antidotes. I have copied it here in its entirety as it so well portrays the opinion of Medical Doctors of the 19^th century on lobelia. “Lobelia inflata. Indian Tobacco. – A well-known low herb, growing through Canada and the United States. It has a nauseous and fiery taste when chewed. It contains a very potent volatile alkaloid – lobelina, and acts as a violent emetic, even in comparatively small doses. Taken in excess, it has produced fatal results. Symptoms. – Nausea and violent vomiting, accompanied with intense prostration, cold, clammy surface, and great muscular weakness. In some fatal cases vomiting has not occurred, and in others convulsions have taken place as death has approached. Treatment. – Wash out the stomach with warm drinks, such as strong tea, solutions of tannic acid, decoction of oak-bark. Use alcoholic stimulants and ammonia internally, and apply dry heat to the surface of the body.”[50]

It is strange that they would go to all that effort giving antidotes to a nonpoison, even antidotes that are known poisons. But the above example of treatment is mild compared to the one Dr. Christopher cited “Place in recumbent position, emptying stomach if vomiting has not been free, give tannin, cardiac and respiratory stimulants, strychnine, thebaine, alcohol, atropine or belladonna, digitalis, morphine, artificial heat, ergot or castor oil.”[51]

So, you may wonder, where does lobelia stand today? The answer is on shaky ground. The FDA has listed it with other “dangerous” herbs in a report entitled “Illnesses and Injuries Associated with the Use of Selected Dietary Supplements”. The report published in 1993 states “There have been several reported cases of adverse reactions associated with consumption of dietary supplements containing lobelia.” It goes on to say “because of its similarity to nicotine, lobelia may be dangerous to susceptible populations, including children, pregnant women, and individuals with cardiac disease.” It ends its discussion on lobelia bemoaning the fact that “lobelia is nevertheless found in dietary supplement products that are marketed for use by children and infants, pregnant women, and smokers.” I say, wonderful, that even though the FDA and others are putting out strong warnings against lobelia’s use, people are still using it.[52]

I found no evidence of lobelia being a poison in “The Merck Manual 17^th edition” though I searched the specific poisons table diligently. Even so “The Consumer’s Guide to Herbal Medicine, written by an M.D. suggests that prescription medications are both safer and more effective than lobelia.[53] Many people have found the opposite to be true and continue to use lobelia for the same uses as it has been for centuries with positive results.[54]

Sadly, lobelia, when not attacked, is mostly overlooked today. In a great big medical encyclopedia which boasted to contain medical information on nearly 1,000 disorders/conditions and 352 treatments and therapies lobelia was mentioned only twice. This was a little disappointing because it was purported to include appropriate alternative treatments. The two conditions that it gave lobelia as being beneficial for were rheumatoid arthritis and congenital lobar emphysema. It totally missed recommending lobelia as an effective treatment for asthma. If I would have written the book, lobelia would likely have been mentioned over a hundred times. Though I gave this in a negative sense there is a small nugget of encouragement. In that it was included despite what the FDA has to say about it.[55]