Lobelia
Lobelia
inflata
This ‘devil’s
weed’ of Thompsonian fame is a member of the Bellflower family,
the Campanulaceae. It tends to grow wild in the borders of Vermont
woods, along trails and sometimes in meadows where the fertility
is poor. It doesn’t need much help to produce large amounts
of seeds in its inflated pods (hence the Latin name), but it doesn’t
compete too well with other plants that get much taller. We harvest
leaves and seedpods in August and September – the pods are
the most potent part. Careful with this one!
Elemental associations: Water
Phytochemistry: Alkaloids, bitter glycosides, volatile oils, resin,
gum (D. Hoffmann)
Actions: Emetic, expectorant, relaxant and anti-spasmodic (depending
on dose!)
Specific systems: Lungs, digestive
‘Pukeweed’, good ol’ doc Thompson used to call
it, and it rightly deserves that name. It has an acrid taste like
no other herb (except maybe tobacco), due largely to its alkaloidal
content. It was a favorite for purging, or causing intense vomiting,
which was more often used in the past to rid the body of ‘toxins
and canker’ from the stomach. It can be a bit debilitating
when applied this way, though.
Its main powers come from smaller doses, diluted in water and repeated
often. It relaxes smooth muscle tissue like nothing else, making
it excellent for asthma and other lung complaints, while its warming
and slightly irritating reflex action ensures that the lungs will
expectorate everything they need to. It also works quite well on
the rest of the body, relieving muscular tension and resultant irritability.
Its main alkaloid, lobeline, is almost identical to nicotine and
can bind the same receptor sites that are accustomed to nicotine.
This, coupled with its expectorant action, and added to its relaxant
qualities make it the #1 herbal smoking-cessation remedy. To start,
for the particularly tough cases, it can even be smoked like a cigarette.
Transition to the tincture as soon as possible.
Indications: Asthma, bronchitis, tobacco withdrawal
Contraindications: Pregnancy, surgery, weak constitutions, convalescence
Preparation/Dosage: Don’t make a tea. Just don’t. The
tincture is prepared from the fresh leaves and seedpods, 70% alcohol,
1:4 to 1:10. Take 10 drops in water, 3-5 times daily or as needed
for smoking cessation. DO NOT take more than 30 drops in a half
hour period, unless you want to experience the emetic powers of
this herb.
