Using lobelia?

Question

I have heard of the tremendous properties of lobelia and would like to know how to use it. Are we talking about the cultivar that is the ground cover with the blue/purple flowers on it? or some wild plant? What is the species? What part of the plant is used and how? Where can I get a commercial preparation of lobelia. Any help with this would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Oh they are trying again to outlaw this uber helpful herb for women.  The best formulation is made by a company called "her native roots" and they do have a website and mailing list.  Strong and pure.  

Its a wonderful broncho- dilator and great for all sorts of pains and aches.  Just a dab here or there or a dropper full mixed with water or juice.  

**********Wikipedia

Several species are cultivated as ornamental plants in gardens. These include Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower or Indian Pink), Lobelia siphilitica (Blue Lobelia), Lobelia fulgens and Lobelia erinus, as well as some hybrids.

Lobelia erinus, a South African annual plant that includes many cultivated selections in a wide variety of colours. They are grown in beds, large pots, window boxes and in hanging baskets. The plants are most often grown away from sunny hot southern exposures (northern exposure's in the southern hemisphere) in soils that are moisture retentive.

In the Victorian language of flowers, the lobelia symbolizes malevolence and ill will.

Medicinal use

Native Americans used lobelia to treat respiratory and muscle disorders, and as a purgative. Today it is used to treat asthma and food poisoning, and is often used as part of smoking cessation programs. It is a physical relaxant, and can serve as a nerve depressant, easing tension and panic. The species used most commonly in modern herbalism is Lobelia inflata (Indian Tobacco).[2]

Extracts of Lobelia inflata contain lobeline, which showed positive effects in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tumor cells.[3] Furthermore, lobeline can be modified to lobelane which decreased methamphetamine self-administration in rats.[4] It therefore opens a perspective in methamphetamine dependency treatment.[5]

As used in North America, lobelia's medicinal properties include the following: emetic (induces vomiting), stimulant, antispasmodic, expectorant, diaphoretic, relaxant, nauseant, sedative, diuretic, and nervine.

Because of its similarity to nicotine, the internal use of lobelia may be dangerous to susceptible populations, including children, pregnant women, and individuals with cardiac disease. Excessive use will cause nausea and vomiting. It is not recommended for use by pregnant women and is best administered by a practitioner qualified in its use.

Two species, Lobelia siphilitica and Lobelia cardinalis, were considered a cure for syphilis[6].

Herbalist Samuel Thompson popularized medicinal use of lobelia in the United States in the early 19th century, as well as other medicinal plants like goldenseal.[2]

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LobeliaOne species, L. chinensis (called bàn biān lián, 半边莲 in Chinese), is used as one of the fifty fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine.