Lobelia - Lobelia Inflata

The Lobelia inflata, or Lobelia Herb, is named after the botanist Matthias de Lobel, and is an erect annual or biennial herb, growing one to two feet high. The stalks of the lower leaves and flower are pale violet-blue in color and tinted pale yellow within. Several species of the Lobelia inflata, or Lobelia Herb, are grown throughout English gardens for the splendor of its flowers, coming in every shade of scarlet, purple, and blue.

Lobelia Herb is a yellowish green, with an irritating odor. The taste of the herb is very similar to that of tobacco, sharing almost identical burning and acrid qualities

Lobelia Herb is sometimes referred to as Indian tobacco, and was commonly prescribed by early North American doctors for a variety of complaints.

Medicinal:
Lobelia is used for breathing problems including asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, and shortness of breath (apnea) in newborn infants. Some people take lobelia as a sedative to help them relax. Other people use it to increase sweating.

Lobelia is applied to the skin for muscle pain, joint lumps associated with rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatic nodules), bruises, sprains, insect bites, poison ivy, and ringworm.

Lobelia has been used in cough preparations and counterirritant products. Some stop-smoking products around the world include lobelia as an ingredient (although it is not effective as a stop smoking aid)

Magical:
Associated with the Element of Water and Neptune on account of its ability to facilitate a dreamy, relaxed state and because it is an expectorant. Its Neptune aspect is also shown in its involvement in storm magic. Its prominent ovaries (the "inflata") make it a very female plant, and it is often used in love magic. Curiously enough, in the language of flowers, this magic herb represents ill will.

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