Lobelia Herb Cut

Botanical Name: Lobelia inflata

Common Name:

• English: Lobelia
• Ayurvedic: Devanala
• Also, known as: Indian Tabacco, Puke weed, Indianischer tabak, Emetic Weed, Poke Weed, Asthma Weed, Gag root, Wild Tobacco, Tabac indien, Vomitroot, and Bladderpod.

Origin:  India

Harvested: Wild or cultivated

Parts Used: The above ground parts

General Information:

Lobelia inflata, is an erect, annual plant in warm latitudes and a biennial in moderate and colder latitudes growing to 24 by 12 inch. Its upright, hairy stem is angular, branching at the top, usually green with a tinge of violet. The pale green or yellowish leaves are arranged alternately and finely serrated, lanceolate, veiny and hairy and have a sharp taste and a slightly irritating odor. The sparse flowers are small and numerous, pale violet blue outside and pale-yellow inside in this species and a variety of red, yellow, white or blue in others bloom from midsummer to early fall. The flowers are hermaphrodite, have both male and female organs. The fruit is a two-celled ovoid capsule containing numerous small brown seeds. The odor irritating, the taste, after chewing, very like that of tobacco, burning and acrid, causing a flow of saliva. The plant should be dried in the shade and then preserved in packages or covered vessels, especially if reduced to powder.

Lobelia is a potentially toxic herb. You should use lobelia only under the supervision of your health care provider. It may cause side effects ranging from dry mouth and nausea to convulsions and even coma.

How to use:

Hot Infusion:

The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. Hot water is needed to draw out the antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, flavonoids, and volatile oils from the botanicals. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:

• You can sweeten your herbal tea with a bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.
• You can make ice cubes or pops by freezing tea in ice trays or pop molds.

Precautions: 

You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

All information on this website is for educational purposes ONLY.

This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.