I will attempt to put on paper that which is really not possible. To comprehend lobelia’s medicinal qualities you must see more than words of praise on paper, you need to see the action of the plant in real life scenarios to grasp its multifarious medicinal qualities.

 

The authors of “The Model Botanic Guide to Health” expressed their feelings on the medicinal value of lobelia well when they wrote “The medical qualities of this invaluable herb are so multifarious that a large treatise might well be written on its curative powers. Suffice it, however, to say that it is a general corrector of the whole system, innocent in its nature, and moving with the general spirits. In healthy systems it will be silent and harmless. It is fully as well calculated to remove the cause of disease as food is to remove hunger; and it clears away all obstructions in the circulation regardless of the nature of the disease.” [1]

 

Lobelia is most noted for its antispasmodic, emetic, relaxant, stimulant and expectorant actions. Other therapeutic actions attributed to lobelia are: nervine sedative, anti-venomous, counter-irritant, emmenagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, cathartic, astringent, sialogogue and nauseant.[2] King stated emphatically “It is in no sense a narcotic”.[3]

 

No single constituent of lobelia is responsible for lobelia’s healing effects. The whole leaf, as opposed to isolated constituents, is known to be strongly antispasmodic

 

Lobelia’s antispasmodic/relaxing, stimulating (respiratory), emetic/expectorant action makes it valuable for asthma and bronchitis etc. It relaxes the muscles of the smaller bronchial tubes, thus opening the airways, stimulating breathing, and promoting the coughing up of phlegm, helping prevent spasmodic, nonproductive coughing.[4]

 

Lobelia’s actions differ according to the dose used. Small doses tend to have a relaxing effect and large doses a stimulating effect. In moderate doses lobelia stimulates the central nervous system to dilate the bronchioles, increasing respiration. The likelihood that the initial bronchial dilation will be followed by respiratory depression is increased with large doses.[5] The circulation is likewise enfeebled by large doses but strengthened by small doses.[6] Lobelia also affects the vagus nerve which controls the stomach. A small amount of lobelia has the effect of calming the stomach, decreasing nausea, and relieving stomach cramps. Large amounts of lobelia can act as a purgative instead of an emetic, but the end result is the same; emptying the stomach of its contents.[7]

 

The earliest use of lobelia, that of an emetic, is tightly interwoven with its other therapeutic actions.[8] A large enough dose of lobelia to cause vomiting has a stimulating then general depressing action on the central and autonomic nervous system and on neuromuscular action.[9] Profuse perspiration, nausea, oppressive prostration, relaxation of the muscular system and a languid pulse/rapid heart rate accompany the emetic stage. [10] This is what has scared many people and frightened them into declaring that lobelia is a dangerous herb.[11] The depression, however, is of short duration, and is immediately followed by a sense of extreme satisfaction and wellbeing.[12] Old time doctors used lobelia’s effect on the heart to advantage. They felt that “It makes the pulse fuller and slower in cases of inflammation and fever . . . [and] reduces palpitation of the heart”[13]

 

When relaxation of the system is required lobelia is invaluable as it is an extremely efficient relaxant, influencing mucous, serous, nervous, and muscular structures.[14] “A Guide to Health” an exposition of the Thomsonian system of practice states “lobelia is the most powerful, certain, and harmless relaxant that has ever been discovered”. Since Thomsonians believed relaxation was an important indication in the cure of most disease, lobelia was an indispensable article in their materia medica.[15] John King stated in his Dispensatory that “under its action the mental powers are unusually acute, and the muscles are powerfully relaxed.”–King’s American Dispensatory.[16]  For best results the relaxation caused by lobelia should be counteracted by stimulating herbs such as catnip, peppermint, or cayenne.[17] It really works both ways since lobelia increases other herbs effectiveness in cases where relaxation is needed.[18]

 

What I consider to be the most important property of lobelia can certainly not be attached to any particular constituent of the plant. What makes lobelia great is its ability to go right to where it is needed and carry out the exact action that it should. In conditions that could go either way, this can be a virtual life saver. There are stories of lobelia saving babies when their mothers are miscarrying and other times it did not stop the miscarriage but rather assisted the spontaneous abortion of the dead fetus.[19] In two similar cases of large abscesses, the action of the herb was different, draining internally in a strong and husky boy and externally in the weak and puny boy. It is almost as if lobelia is capable of thinking and because of this has been called the thinking herb. Lobelia even tells you when you have had too much – you will vomit it right back up.[20]

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