LOBELIA Lobelia inflata, L.( N. O.: Lobeliaceae)
Common Names: Indian Tobacco, Emetic Weed, Poke Weed, Asthma Weed, Gagroot, Wild Tobacco. Features: A genus of more than 200 species of showy annual or perennial herbs, or sub-shrubs of tropical and temperate regions, belonging to the Bellflower family( Campanulaceae). This plant grows wild in most sections of the United States and is often known as Indian tobacco, because of its taste. However, it is no way related to tobacco and does not contain nicotine or other poisonous properties.
In all species the tubular, five-lobed corolla is irregular with a split on the upper side, an upper lip with two erect lobes, and a lower one with three spreading lobes. Lobelia flowers from July to November; the flowers are small and numerous, pale blue in this species and a variety of red, yellow, white or blue in others. The leaves are alternate, ovate, lanceolate, veiny and hairy; it has a fibrous root and an erect angular, very hairy stem 6 in. to 3 ft. in height. The fruit is a two-celled ovoid capsule containing numerous small brown seeds. More than twenty species attain considerable heights( up to 15 ft. in the high mountains of Africa and Asia). Some dwarf Lobelia plants( L. erina) are cultivated as bedding plants or in hanging baskets.
The proper time for gathering is from the last of July to the middle of October. The plant should be dried in the shade and then preserved in packages or covered vessels, especially if reduced to powder. The people of New England used it long before the time of Samuel Thompson, its assumed discoverer. Contains various alkaloids, lobeline and others. The milky juice is very poisonous to livestock. The whole plant is active, and the stalks are used indiscriminately with the leaves by those who are better acquainted with its properties. The root is supposed to be more energetic, medicinally, than any other part of the plant. Medicinal Parts: Leaves and stems. Solvent: Water. Bodily Influence: Emetic, Stimulant, Antispasmodic, Expectorant, Diaphoretic, Relaxant, Nauseant, Sedative( secondary Cathartic and Astringent). Uses: The Indians used the root and plant of Red Lobelia for syphilis and for expelling or destroying intestinal worms. The Shoshones made a tea of Lobelia for use as an emetic and physic.
Lobelia is dual in its activities, it is a relaxant and it is a stimulant. In small doses it stimulates, in large doses it relaxes. Lobelia is one of the most valuable herbs used in botanic practice. Much has been written as to whether this herb is poisonous or not but experience, which is far better than theory, has proven that far from being a poison it is an antidote to poison, whether of animal or vegetable variety. Lobelia is an antidote and chiefly used as an emetic and may be prescribed whenever one is indicated. It seems strange that though Lobelia is an excellent emetic, when given in small doses for irritable stomach it will stop spasmodic vomition. It tends to remove obstructions from every part of the system and is felt even to the ends of the toes. It not only cleanses the stomach but exercises a beneficial influence over every part of the body. It is very diffusable, however, and requires to be used with Capsicum, or some other permanent stimulant, to keep alive the blaze which it has kindled.
The action is different on different people and given alone Lobelia cannot cure, but is very beneficial if given in connection with other measures. For irritable conditions of the nervous system it is invaluable and can be relied upon in ordinary convulsions and should be combined with some nervine, such as Lady’ s slipper( Cypripedium pubescens). As an expectorant it may be used to great advantage in small doses for colds along with decided pulmonary agent Coltsfoot( Tussilago farfara). For spasmodic croup it is invaluable and it has also gained a great reputation for asthma along with