If they did, the roots would be preserved, securely tied in folds of a red cloth, the color most often used for prayer bundles. It is found throughout North America, growing only about twenty inches tall. With a preference for acid soil, Lobelia is especially abundant in the eastern United States, where it can often be seen along the roadside. In small quantities lobelia acts as a stimulant and in larger doses as a relaxant Applied externally, lobelia relaxes muscles and reduces tension. Internally, it can also relax the muscles of the smaller bronchial tubes providing relief from asthma and aiding in the clearing of other respiratory congestion.
Lobelia can also induce sweating and vomiting.
Used in combination with other herbs, it enhances their effectiveness. As Atwood points out in Spirit Herbs , caution is in order, especially when consuming the plant fresh. Small quantities are best. These plants represent only a small sampling of our native healing plants, persecuted as weeds while they could be celebrated as food, tonics, or medicines. Native American children once grew up learning about the properties of plants as part of the world around them.