Used as an infusion, decoction, extract, tincture, syrup, poultice and smoke.

Lobelia is also known as Indian tobacco. It was used ceremonially, sacramentally and magically by many Native American tribes.

It is a powerful physical relaxant, and thus useful for hacking coughs and hysteria.

Eclectic physicians generally recommended using a tincture of lobelia made partially or entirely with vinegar instead of alcohol. It was also used as a tea or strong boiled decoction.

In small doses Lobelia acts as a stimulant and in larger doses it act as a nerve depressant. Contains the potent alkaloid lobeline which is used in anti-smoking lozenges. Large doeses of lobelia are nauseating.

Grieve’s classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Expectorant, diaphoretic, anti-asthmatic. It should not be employed as an emetic. Some authorities attach great value to it as an expectorant in bronchitis, others as a valuable counterirritant when combined with other ingredients in ointment form. It is sometimes given in convulsive and inflammatory disorders such as epilepsy, tetanus, diphtheria and tonsilitis. There is also difference of opinion with regard to its narcotic properties. Where relaxation of the system is required, as, for instance, to subdue spasm, Lobelia is invaluable. Relaxation can be counteracted by the stimulating and tonic infusion of capsicum. It may be used as an enema.'

'Externally, an infusion has been found useful in ophthalmia, and the tincture can be used as a local application for sprains, bruises, or skin diseases, alone, or in powder combined with an equal part of slippery elm bark and weak lye-water in a poultice. The oil of Lobelia is valuable in tetanus. One drop of oil triturated with one scruple of sugar, and divided into from 6 to 12 doses, is useful as an expectorant, nauseant, sedative, and diaphoretic, when given every one or two hours.'

Preparations and Dosages: Powdered bark, 5 to 60 grains. Fluid extract, 10 to 20 drops. Acid tincture, 1 to 4 drachms. Tincture, U.S.P., 1 to 4 drachms. Etherial tincture, B.P., 5 to 15 drops. Syrup, 1 to 4 drachms. Solid extract, 2 to 4 grains. Oil of seed, 1 drop rubbed up with 20 grains of ginger and divided into 6 to 12 doses. Lobelin, ¼ to 3 grains.

King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Lobelia is nauseant, emetic, expectorant, relaxant, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, sialagogue, sedative, and, secondarily, occasionally cathartic and diuretic and astringent. It is in no sense a narcotic. The earliest use of lobelia, as will be seen from its history, was that of an emetic, and for this purpose it is still employed when we desire the action of a systemic emetic.'

'The powerfully relaxant properties of lobelia render it a very efficient agent in several conditions, whose chief feature is the spasmodic element. For its control over spasmodic movement, nauseant or emetic doses must be given.'

'Perhaps the most important use for this drug will be in the treatment of respiratory affections. For this class of diseases no remedy is more highly valued by physicians of our school. 'Lobelia is an admirable pectoral remedy. As a nauseant expectorant it has no equal. When an emetic is desired in pulmonary complaints it is one of the most efficient that can be employed. It has come to be the first of remedies for spasmodic asthma, and is not without utility in whooping cough. It improves innervation and the circulation, and is one of the best remedies to employ in congestive conditions. It is frequently indicated in pleurisy and pleuro-pneumonia. As a sedative it ranks between veratrum and aconite.'

American Materia Medica, 1919 (Ellingwood) : 'In spasmodic asthma, if given in a dose of from thirty minims to one dram during the paroxysm, the benefit is apparent almost immediately. Small doses are of but little or no benefit in such a case. This full dose may be once repeated, but this is seldom necessary, and a single dose seldom produces vomiting. It is useful in asthmatic breathing. When continued with other agents it must be given in doses not to exceed ten minims three or four times a day.'

'Lobelia is of value in whooping-cough. It is a reliable expectorant, and either alone or in combination with other indicated remedies, is useful in all cases of dry, hard, barking cough, or where the expectoration is difficult to raise, in spasmodic croup, and in membranous croup without depression.'

'Children are less liable to be unpleasantly affected with Lobelia than adults.'

'Its action as an emetic is most profound. It is not so commonly used at the present time for that purpose as ipecac, as the irritation, nausea and general depression are usually greater than is necessary.'

'It resembles tobacco in this and in many other particulars, producing a burning sensation in the fauces which is persistent and unpleasant.'

'As a remedy for hysteria, hysterical paroxysms and hysterical convulsions, the combined tinctures of this remedy and capsicum have no superior. It will immediately terminate many paroxysms and quickly control convulsive attacks.'

'This agent has in the past been exceedingly popular as a relaxant in rigid os uteri. Very many cases are on record of almost immediate relaxation and rapid termination of labor.'

'Lobelia has long been used in asthma. Taken by the mouth severe spasmodic cases are relieved. Hypodermically the same results are obtained.'

'In the treatment of coughs, those due to pneumogastric irritation, are quickly relieved as well as the pain accompanying. It promotes normal expectoration and respiratory freedom.'

'In the treatment of bronchial coughs and acute bronchitis, especially if the bronchial tubes are loaded with mucus and there is a sense of tightness with some difficulty in breathing, the agent is directly indicated.'

'In the treatment of nausea, persistent vomiting, and a generally disturbed condition of the stomach, if ten drops of lobelia be added to half a glass of water and a teaspoonful be given by the mouth every ten or fifteen minutes, it will often give prompt relief.'

'It is also useful adjusted in the same manner as the above for sick headaches and given over a period of time with reference to the conditions that induce the disease and also to any possible periodical recurrence of the disease, it will be found curative.'

'It was used successfully in one case of persistent hiccough. One-half dram repeated in half an hour cured the case.'

'In the treatment of any form of hysteria, especially if there be violent hysterical excitement or convulsions, this agent will be found of immediate benefit.'

'Its natural antispasmodic properties make it a most reliable remedy for convulsions of any form and by proper adjustment, it is the safest probably of our agents for the convulsions of childhood. In babes, a small dose only is required and there is little danger of nausea or other unpleasant effects. The dose should be repeated as needed.'

'Epilepsy should be treated with this remedy and careful observations made. If given during the aura in sufficiently large doses and the dose repeated as indicated, it will probably be found to exercise an efficient control. It was satisfactory in a few cases that are reported, but observations are insufficient.'

'For rigidity of the os uteri at any time, it may be used. It promotes normal uterine contraction after the os is dilated. A case of persistent absolute rigidity for thirty-six hours was dilated fully in four hours with this agent.'