Herbs - Lobelia - Ailments / Situations Where Used

Lobelia is a powerful expectorant and anti-asthmatic herb where, when taken, the effects are felt all the way down to the toes. It is an ideal method of controlling difficult breathing without any adverse side effects. Lobelia is used for chest complaints, sore throat, sinusitis, middle ear infection, urinary tract infection, and chronic bronchitis. The plant is a wonderful antispasmodic which relaxes muscles and nerves and is used during asthma or bronchial spasms, whooping cough or muscle spasms, twitching, epilepsy, hysteria, pain and lockjaw. According to herbalist David Hoffman, "lobelia has a depressant action on the central and autonomic nervous system and on neuro-muscular action".

A constituent of the plant, lobeline, is similar in its structure to nicotine and has been used quite successfully in counteracting the desire for tobacco. A few drops of the tincture can be placed in the ear to relieve an earache or an infection and is all the more powerful when combined with mullein flowers and garlic. Lobelia can be given during labour to lessen the contractions during a natural childbirth. Before administering lobelia, a stimulant should be taken, and a cup of peppermint tea would be suffice. Externally it can be used for muscle spasms, boils, and ulcers.