The Herb Lobelia

The present newly awakening interest in organic medicines made from vegetables, herbs, roots and barks, and more especially Lobelia, requires that a more complete description be given than the original in the book based on the teachings of the Thomsonian, Eclectic, Physio Medical and/or Natural school, in the present edition.

Common Names: Lobelia, Indian Tobacco, Emetic Herb (Thomson), Pike Weed, Gagroot, Vomitroot, etc. Parts: Leaves, tops and seeds. Native To: Throughout the United States. Preparation: Tincture or Infusions. Dose: One to 60 drops. Average Dose: 10 to 30 min. of Tincture of 10% drug strength.

Recognized Specific Indications

Angina pectoris, apoplexy, asthma, bronchitis, croup, infantile convulsions, epilepsy, diphtheria, hemorrhagic diphtheria, dysmenorrhea, acute heart attacks, heatstroke, hysteria, migraine, ovarian spasms, intestine spasms, spinal meningitis, tetanus, tonsillitis, whooping cough.

Symptomatic Indications

In short, labored breathing, sense of suffocation; dyspnoae; precordial oppression; pain in chest of heavy, sore or oppressive character; dry cough, either with scant or over-secretions; asthmatic seizures; short, lacinating pain radiating from the heart center to left shoulder and arm; spasmodic muscular contraction; muscular rigidity; infantile convulsions due to some form of internal irritation; hysterical convulsion; rigid os uteri accompanied by rigid rim; perineal and vaginal rigidity during labor, angina pecton.

Action

The action of Lobelia is upon the central nervous system and the sympathetic nerve ganglia. It is generally classed as a gastro-intestinal irritant because in sufficiently large doses it produces emesis(*). The action of small doses is upon the cardiac area, slowing heart action and is followed generally by a more or less accelerated pulse. The action of small, frequent doses (as indicated) is to stimulate; of large doses to first relax and is followed by stimulation to organic action. Small doses stimulate digestion, the secretions and poor circulation, especially when due to enervated states. When Lobelia is combined with other appropriate remedies its tendency is to establish normalcy of the entire system and stimulate of all the organs of the body; hence is of great benefit in all chronic or semi-chronic conditions. In acute ailments, such as acute indigestion, or the onset of diphtheria, croup, scarlet fever, smallpox, tatanus or the bites of poisonous insects, where immediate effect is imperative, doses large enough to produce emesis should be given, to be followed by small doses in combination with such stimulants as Capsicum.

In angina pectoris, neuralgia of the heart and pulmonary apoplexy doses of 20 drops should be given and repeated as necessary. It is a cardiac stimulant and acts as a sedative. In markedly slow pulse-wave, Lobelia in small, frequent doses is the remedy; it is indicated in all full, oppressed, sluggish pulse, especially if associated with precordial oppression, thoracic pain, difficulty in breathing, soreness of chest, nausea and coated tongue, and fullness of tissue.

In obstetrical cases, Lobelia relaxes muscular rigidity and readily overcomes rigis os during parturition and also relaxes the perineal tissues protecting the parts against lacerations.

*Our experience with Lobelia does not bear out this conclusion. Improper use of any drug may produce undesirable symptoms.

In loss of appetite and slow digestion this agent is of great value. It is best given in small doses and may be combined with other indicated agents. It is decidedly valuable in the atonic types of indigestion and dyspepsia associated with sick headache due to gastric disturbances; in such cases it is best given in small, frequent doses. In chronic respiratory disorders it increases or decreases the secretions according to the dosage. In dry, barking or hacking coughs where mucous rales are heard and there is difficulty in raising the sputum, Lobelia is most valuable, and is equally serviceable in chronic coughs if combined with other indicated agents. It is of great service in the coughs of measles where sluggish circulation is present and eruptions are slow to appear or fail to fully develop. In scarlet fever and measles, Lobelia causes determination of the blood to the skin and promotes tardy eruptions and helps to reestablish when dangerous retrocession occurs for some reason. In whooping cough where secretions of a stringy character have a strangling effect on the sufferer it should be given in small, frequent doses. Lobelia is an invaluable agent in all stages of la grippe and epidemic influenza; is a vital stimulant; regulates imperfect circulation and controls cough and expectoration.

Lobelia Externally

Lobelia is a valuable ingredient in all forms of poultices where relaxation is desired. Infusions or alcoholic extracts may be used or powdered Lobelia substituted. It well combines with flax-seed or slippery elm in the relief of insect bites, bruises and sprains and of various pains. Powdered Lobelia is well combined with lard and applied warm in acute thoracic diseases or any form of soreness of the chest. Lobelia in any form may be effectively combined with other agents and used as a poultice in the pains and inflammation present in pneumonia, broncho-pneumonia, bronchitis, croup, pleurisy, acute pharyngitis, tonsillitis, orchitis, ovaritis, arthritis, inflammatory rheumatism and for all localized pains in the joints' and muscular structures.

Personal Remarks

The number one agent on the Natural physician's armamentarium is Lobelia. Lobelia is one of Nature's few dual agents in the relief of human ailments. It is both a relaxant and a stimulant; depending altogether on how it is prescribed; hence if the Natural physician had to choose one remedy from all others, it would be Lobelia and he could practice successfully. So many claims have been made for this agent, and so many more could be honestly made for it where its virtues fully understood, that it has been most unfortunately called a quack remedy. Unfortunately and most unjustly, Lobelia has been, and continues to be, labeled a poison(*). If this is to indicate that an unlimited amount may not be prescribed without harmful reactions then such labeling is justified, otherwise not. In an experience of fifty-six years (at the writing) I have prescribed it for children and people advanced in age; in amounts of three drops to new born children; fifteen drops every fifteen minutes for hours, or maximum doses of 60 drops, to older persons with never any but the best results. I have given it where immediate relaxation was an absolute necessity to be followed by a stimulating effect, and it has not failed me. If there were such a thing as a general Panacea, I would say that Lobelia comes nearer to being such than any other agent I have used in all of these many years.

The Pharmacy Laws of Pennsylvania require that any drug that may be considered deleterious to normal health in doses of 1 fluid drachm or 60 grains by weight must be labeled "poison."

This is part of the online book, the Thomsonian System of Herbal Medicine. It is an historical text. For the index, please see this page: History Of Herbal Medicine