What Is Lobelia Extract?
Lobelia extract is made from the plant Lobelia inflata, which is part of the Camanulaceae family. It is also known as Indian tobacco, ragroot, bladderpod, asthma weed, wild tobacco, puke weed, cardinal flower and scarlet lobelia. It is indigenous to North America and grows wild in meadows, pastures and fields. It has a tall, erect growth habit with hairy stems and a milky sap. The leaves are serrated and the flowers are small and a reddish-violet color. It can reach a height of 3 feet. All the parts that grow above the ground are used medicinally.
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How Lobelia Extract is Made
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Fresh leaves and stems are chopped up finely and put into a glass jar. A strong alcohol like vodka is poured over the greenery, completely covering it. The jar is then covered with a piece of plastic wrap and a tight-fitting lid. The solution is shaken and placed in a dark spot for four to six weeks to macerate. The alcohol extracts the active elements from the herbs. When time has passed, the herbs are strained out of the alcohol. Extracts should be stored in dark glass bottles and kept in a dark pantry.
Lobelia and Respiratory Issues
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Lobelia extract has been used as an expectorant to rid the lungs of phlegm. It has been used in cases of bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough and other breathing issues. It is often recommend when someone wants to quit smoking, and some commercial anti-smoking products use lobelia in their formulas.
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Lobelia and Muscles
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This herb has also been used to relax the muscles and ease tension caused by convulsions or nervous conditions. At one time, it was used to alleviate rigidity of the pelvis in women in late pregnancy. It is no longer recommended for that use.
Using Lobelia Externally
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Lobelia may be used to reduce pain and inflammation. It can be used in poultices for sprains, bruising, poison ivy, ringworm, stings and bites, boils, ulcers, rheumatism and skin problems. A poultice can be made with fresh herbs or with the extract poured on a cloth and applied to the problem area.
Contraindications for Lobelia Extract
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Lobelia has the potential to be poisonous. It is very dangerous to overuse this extract for any reason. Because of these poisonous qualities, it was used to induce vomiting. Pregnant and nursing women should never use lobelia. Overdoses can induce sweating, vomiting, pain, rapid pulse, paralysis, coma and death. It should never be used without the supervision of a trained herbalist.
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References
- Photo Credit swathe of lobelias image by Karen Hadley from Fotolia.com
