Antispasmodic, emetic, stimulant (in small doses), relaxant (in larger doses); nervine (sedative), expectorant, anti venomous, counter-irritant, emmenagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, cathartic, astringent, and a nauseant.

Lobelia is one of the greatest herbs ever given to the world. We concur with Dr. Thomson that "there is no vegetable which the earth produces more harmless in its effect on the human system, and none more powerful in removing disease and promoting health than lobelia." Lobelia is a general corrector of the whole system, as it is easily diffused and able to influence the entire body. Lobelia is an efficient relaxant, and is believed to be the best counter-irritant known to mankind. Its action is felt immediately on the serious, mucous, muscular and nervous systems, especially the sympathetic nervous systems. As a powerful antispasmodic, lobelia is effective in causing immediate relaxation and expansion of the contracted parts of the respiratory system (bronchial tubes, esophagus, glottis and larynx). This allows the "breath of life" (oxygenized blood) to flow freely to the de-energized tissues. Lobelia's wonderful healing effects are due to the herb's great ability to remove obstruction and congestion within the body, especially the blood vessels. It lessens the depression through the vaso-motor and strengthens the muscular action of the vessel walls which propel the blood, and thus promotes health. Over years of practice, lobelia has been administered many times, and there have been numerous miraculous healings. Time after time, lobelia has helped the very young to the very old, with only positive results. As for lobelia being a poison: this is one of the most ridiculous falsehoods ever foisted upon the public by orthodox allopaths. This myth has been promulgated by allopaths to dissuade potential patients from using this God-given herb and being healed. The author has quickly swallowed as much as four tablespoons of honey sweetened tincture of lobelia at one time, mistaking it for apple cider vinegar. After retching and vomiting profusely from the emetic properties of the herb, he felt nothing but improvement, and suffered no damage whatsoever; only a good cleaning out!

Lobelia is a selective herb. When a fetus is dead, or in an extremely weakened condition, lobelia will cause it to abort. However, if the fetus is well and healthy, and the mother is weak, it will cause the mother to heal and strengthen, enabling her to carry the child until the proper time of delivery. Lobelia accurately and intelligently selects which way it is to go. It is truly a "thinking" herb.

The belief that lobelia is a dangerous poison (including the statement in Joseph Meyer's The Herbalist, that "lobelia is too dangerous for internal use by the unskilled") has no basis in fact. This misrepresentation began with Dr. Thomson's amazing success as a rustic herbal doctor. His achievements exposed the then-current deceit and fraud in orthodox inorganic theories and practices. This incited professional jealousy, and caused a loss of money and prestige to the "craft." In addition, when Dr. Thomson could not be easily removed from the scene by the usual maneuver of filing "malpractice" charges, the enraged profession vengefully organized to legislate their craft as the only legal medical practice.

Dr. Nowell said this concerning the misclassification of lobelia as a "poison":

So successfully did he (Dr. Thomson) use it, that the regulars of his day classed it a poison, as some writers said only a poison could bring about the speedy results that Dr. Thomson obtained by its use. If the student goes to buy a one-ounce package of the herb from the drug store, he will find it label led poison, and in practically all the official works such as B.P., the C.P., the U.S.P. and the American Dispensatory, etc., it is classed as a poison.

That it has no poisonous properties we very definitely affirm. Much has been said and written on this point, and it is because of this that we devote a special lesson to this herb. Dr. H. Nowell has used it for nearly thirty years, in all manner of cases, and at all ages. We have friends who have likewise used it freely, and if half that is said against it by the medical world were true, thousands should have been dead from its use.

Throughout all the prosecutions, there has never been a single instance of harm resulting from the use of lobelia. For further information, we quote the late Prof. W. (William) Tully of Yale College, in a letter written to Dr. H. Lee of Middletown, Conn., dated March 22nd, 1838: Page 360

"Lobelia Inflata is entirely destitute of any narcotic powers. I have been in the habit of employing this article for twenty-seven years, in large quantities and for a long period, without the least trace of any narcotic effect. I have used the very best official tincture in the quantity of three fluid ounces in twenty-four hours, and for four and seven days in succession, and I have likewise given three large tablespoonfuls of it within half an hour, without the least indication of any narcotic operation.

I have known four and five tobacco pipes full of it smoked in immediate succession and without any narcosis, and I have also known it to be given by enema with the same result . Dr. Bigelow, of Boston, was the first person who ascribed narcotic powers to this agent, and he did this in 1817, but not from his own observation. I am confident (the old women's stories in the books are to the contrary notwithstanding) that Lobelia Inflata is a valuable, a safe, and a sufficiently gentle article of medicine, and I think the time will come when it will be much better appreciated."

The final absurdity of this whole issue is the alternative--the deadly poison, inorganic antidotes that are offered by orthodoxy in most official publications as "remedies" against purported lobelia "poisoning." The following is a good example:

Place in recumbent position, empty stomach if vomiting has not been free, give tannin, cardiac and respiratory stimulants, strychnine, , the baine, alcohol, digitalis, atropine or belladonna, digitalis (sic), morphine, artificial heat, ergot or castor oil.

A 1-3 foot tall annual. It contains a milky sap, much branched with an erect, angular, hairy stem. The alternate, hairy leaves with obvious veins are lanceolate and bluntly serrate. Pale violet, tubular flowers have a 2-lipped corolla with 2 erect upper lobes and 3 spreading lower lobes, occurring rather far apart in loose spike-like racemes. As flowers mature, an inflated ovoid pod is formed, containing numerous small brown seeds. Found throughout eastern and central U.S. in fields, waste areas.

It is a antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, and sedative. The whole plant is used to treat asthma, whooping cough, fevers, sore throats, and to induce vomiting. It is used in lozenges, patches and chewing gums to appease the need for nicotine without addictive effects. Considered toxic. Use only with professional medical advise.