Lobelia

Using Lobelia

Lobelia is also known as gagwort, vomitwort, and pukeweed. As you can imagine from its name, large amounts of the herb can induce vomiting. However, that’s not what lobelia is used for most in modern herbal medicine.

Over the years, Native Americans used lobelia as a treatment for respiratory problems. In fact, it was delivered to the body by smoking it. And while we now know that smoking isn’t the healthiest way to deliver a chemical to the bloodstream, it is effective.

In modern medicine, lobelia has been used in many ways. It’s been used as a powder, tea, poultice, and some people even still smoke it. Lobelia has many uses for the body beyond helping to induce vomiting.

If you’re suffering from asthma, whooping cough, or bronchitis, lobelia can be used as an expectorant to thin out the mucous that’s giving you grief. If you’re having a hard time getting rest at night, lobelia is an effective sedative that can help you fall asleep more soundly.

If you’re suffering from fever, lobelia can help to return your body temperature to normal. And if you have an insect bite, lobelia can help to reduce the inflammation and swelling. When you fall and suffer a sprain or bruise, lobelia can help you to reduce the pain and inflammation of the area.

One of the most interesting uses of lobelia, however, is as an anti-smoking aid. It has been thought that lobelia has some of the same properties and effects on the body as nicotine, but without the addiction and the toxic effects that come from nicotine. However, once scientific studies were conducted it seemed that this wasn’t the best use of lobelia.

Lobelia can also have some toxic side effects if used improperly. If you chose to use lobelia at home, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s directions to the letter. It’s even better if you can be supervised by a healthcare professional while you’re taking lobelia to make sure you don’t suffer from toxic side effects.

Overdoses of lobelia can lead to side effects that are severe such as nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and it can sometimes lead to respiratory failure. That’s why its critical that you don’t take more than necessary and that you make sure to get the supervision of a healthcare professional who can monitor your use. While lobelia has some helpful uses and can be a great treatment for respiratory problems, it’s critical that you pay attention to safety.