Lobelia

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Lobelia Many authorities consider Lobelia to be the most important of all herbs! Medically, Lobelia is used in the treatment of bronchitis, croup, whooping cough, and asthma. Lobelia is used in anti-smoking preparations. Lobeline, its major alkaloid acts similarly to nicotine, but is milder. Lobeline decreases the desire for tobacco and its the Lobeline salts that make nicotine taste terrible when smoked.Lobelia is know to be a powerful relaxant, effecting the nervous system. It is considered the strongest relaxant in the herb kingdom. As a powerful anti-spasmodic, Lobelia is effective in causing immediate relaxation and expansion of the contracted parts of the respiratory system. This allows the breath of life to flow freely to the exhausted tissues. Jethro Kloss used it to "cure" asthma. If you want to have something on hand to handle an asthma attack naturally make a tincture of Lobelia using Apple Cider

vinegar. Use about 4 ounces of Lobelia herb to a pint of Vinegar. (To increase its action you may also wish to add 1 tsp. cayenne.) Soak for at least 2 weeks, shaking it every day. Strain and bottle. Give one teaspoon when an attack occurs and another one 10 minutes later if necessary. Powdered herb can be filled into capsules, too. It has the ability to remove congestion within the body, especially in the blood vessels.In the digestive tract, Lobelia is a inhibitor/stimulant and appetite suppressant. In small doses it will stop vomiting, but it will generally induce vomiting when taken in very large doses over a very short period of time. Cayenne is generally added with lobelia for this purpose for flushing poisons from the stomach and the bowels.Lobelia increases urine flow, perspiration and helps to reduce fever. It will make the pulse fuller and slower when there is a fever, as well. For fevers Lobelia is superior to any other

herb. A poultice of Lobelia is very soothing for inflammations, rheumatism and boils. Lobelia (1/3) in a poultice with Slippery Elm (2/3) and soap can be used to bring a boil or abscess to a head.Note: Lobelia has been used to help relax the mother during delivery and speeds up the delivery of the placenta. Suzi What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered. health/ http://suziesgoats.wholefoodfarmacy.com/ http://360./suziesgoats

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Lobelia is AWESOME for muscle spasms. Taken internally and

rubbed on externally (I give 3 squirts of lobelia tincture

internally, then 20 minutes later (gives time for the lobelia to

start working) apply externally cayenne tincture to help open up the

pores, then more lobelia on the outside, then a hot water bottle)

it's very good. I was laid up for 2 days once with agonizing back

spasms and eventually remembered, " Lobelia, antispasmodic, DUH! " 20

minutes after taking the initial dose (3 squirts, about a teaspoon)

the muscles started to relax. Kept using it on and off for the next

day or so as I began moving around again. It was such a relief and I

was embarrassed to have wasted 2 days.

I tried to use it as an emetic, just to test it out. Took 3

tablespoons of the tincture and it didn't trigger vomitting.

Dr. used that aspect of it's medicinal function to help

clean the mucus crud out of asthmatic patients. Maybe one needs to

also do the finger in the back of the throat trick to trigger it.

One place it shines is in herbal formulas. In a small

percentage of the total formula it works to help harmonize the other

herbs in the formula. Tom Brown Jr, the wilderness skills teacher,

describes that function as a catalyst. Test it out, if you have a

formula which you can taste the different herbs seperately (hard to

describe but easy to taste) try adding a little bit of lobelia and

watch the flavors (and healing actions) mingle. Chinese use licorice

similiarly.

I've read some old school herbalist who claim they could get by

with 2 herbs, cayenne to stimulate and lobelia to sedate. Clever use

of both of those herbs and concepts can treat a wide range of

symptons.

Never thought of trying some of the other uses you listed.

Always more to learn. Thanks for bringing up one great herb!