How to Use the Herb Lobelia

Bursting with showy purplish-blue flowers from midsummer through fall, lobelia, or Lobelia inflata, is a perennial herb with a long history of medicinal use, according to the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Also called Indian tobacco or pukeweed, this attractive plant features hairy, sap-filled stems and is native to North America. While lobelia has potential medicinal properties, it may also cause serious side effects if used incorrectly.

Instructions

• 1

  Treat respiratory ailments with lobelia. The Gale Encyclopedia lists a chronic cough, pneumonia, flu, colds and bronchitis as respiratory conditions that may respond to lobelia. Asthma patients may also benefit. Although this might seem counter to our modern beliefs about health, treating respiratory disorders with lobelia involves smoking the dried herb. So popular was smoking lobelia that Native Americans used it for recreational smoking as well as for the treatment of respiratory disorders.

• 2

  Reduce addiction cravings with lobelia. As a substitute for regular tobacco, lobelia provides the smoker with a comparable smoking experience that may ease the withdrawal cravings for nicotine. The presence of lobeline, an alkaloid, may counter chemicals in the brain that cause withdrawal symptoms, making the herb potentially beneficial in the treatment of alcoholism and addiction to some narcotic substances, according to the Gale Encyclopedia.

• 3

  Take lobelia to induce relaxation. Small doses of lobelia, in extract or tea form, may encourage relaxation and promote sleep. Herbs2000 states that an herbal tea made from lobelia may also induce mild euphoria. Unfortunately, an overdose may result in temporary paralysis, coma or even death. The high risk of side effects makes it important to use this herb only under medical supervision.

• 4

  Rub on lobelia salve to ease muscle tension. A salve made from lobelia may relax tense muscles when massaged directly into the skin above the constricted muscle. Herbs2000 mentions lobelia salve in the treatment of eczema and other allergic skin disorders.

• 5

  Combine lobelia with the complementary herbs, mullein and coltsfoot, to create a smoking mixture for lung conditions.This dilutes the toxicity of the herb, but it is still not safe to use without medical supervision.