Lobelia herb can be used for medicinal purposes

Lobelia (Lobelia Inflata) medicinal herb is a plant that is native to North America and it is widely grown all over the United States Of America.  It is one of the finest medicinal plants, especially for breathing problems.  It is named after Matthias de L'Obel, who was a French botanist.  The entire plant may be used as herbal medicine, including the seeds.

This is an annual and perennial herb which blooms bright blue flowers and may be white or red, violet as well dark blue, with irregular shapes. The medicinal properties are expectorant, diaphoretic as well as anti-asthmatic. Due to its beautiful variety of colored flowers, it is also cultivated for ornamental purposes.  It can be a showy plant in an herb garden.

The common names are Indian tobacco, Bladder-pod, Wild tobacco, Lobelia Inflata, Emetic herb, Emetic weed, Puke weed, Asthma weed, Ragroot, Eye-bright, Gag root and Vomit wort.

It contains alkaloids, calcium, potassium, ascorbic acid, lobeline as well as pyridine alkaloids.

Health benefits of lobelia herb

This is one of the most extensively used medicinal herbs and it is used chiefly as an emetic or used in pulmonary complaints such as bronchitis, croup, whooping cough, asthma, shortness of breath and other respiratory ailments.   For respiratory complaints combine the liquid with a carrier oil and rub it into the chest to facilitate breathing.

It is one of the most powerful relaxant known to man among the herbs that has no harmful effects. It acts differently upon different people, but it will not hurt anyone if it used accordingly. It makes the pulse fuller and slower in cases of inflammation and fever. It reduces palpitation of the heart and lobelia is fine in the treatment of all fevers, pneumonia, back pain, meningitis, pleurisy, hepatitis, peritonitis, periostitis, and nephritis.  It was once utilized by native Americans as herbal remedy for the treatment of syphilis. 

It is a very excellent herb for smokers who feel they cannot quit smoking.  Smoking can lead to emphysema, cancer and lots more health problems.   The use of natural herbs are becoming very popular these days to curb smoking habits and one such herb is Indian tobacco.  It is said that consumption of this herb will make the taste of tobacco very disgusting and revolting.  Some prefer to consume the tea while others may smoke it like a cigarette.  There are those who think it is very sedative and will bring on a calm spirit.  No wonder it is referred to as Indian tobacco and Wild tobacco.

Poultices or hot fomentation of this medicinal plant is good for external inflammations such as rheumatism, abscesses, boils, and carbuncles or any other herbs. When given in small doses it will stop vomiting.   In cases of asthma give a pack followed the next morning by an emetic. The pack will loosen the waste material and it will cast it out by the emetic.

Preparing the tincture

To make a tincture, soak 2 ounces of the medicinal herb, 2 ounces of the crushed seed, and 1 pint of apple vinegar. This should be soaked for a period of two weeks in a well tight stopper bottle. Make sure to shake it each day after which it is safe to be used. This is an excellent procedure to stop difficult breathing and to clear the air passages leading to the lungs.  This is one of the reasons it is so good to treat asthma.  The tincture should be taken one tablespoonful at a time.

Precaution

It should not be taken by pregnant women, neither by those women who are breastfeeding.   It can become harmful if it is used excessively, so follow every instruction that is connected to lobelia.

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