Lobelia

Lobelia inflata

Commonly referred to as Indian tobacco, Lobelia was traditionally used by American Indians as an alternative to tobacco and as a treatment for various respiratory ailments.

Lobelia is also referred to as ‘pukeweed’ due to its strong emetic properties, meaning it can induce vomiting at higher doses. Historically, it was used by indigenous groups of North America and early Western herbalists to expel toxins from the body, particularly in cases of poisoning or respiratory congestion. So be warned; this is a potent herb that is toxic in large doses and we advise against using it unless supervised by a qualified herbalist.

Native to North America, lobelia grows in a wide range of habitats, but is mostly found in open, disturbed areas in poor, rocky or sandy soil. The plant itself is small and delicate, growing to around 2 feet in height. It is an annual that produces tiny seeds and equally tiny seedlings that can get a little lost in a bed of bigger plants, so we recommend starting in trays and planting out once they’re a bit bigger.

Take care if you are harvesting the seed pods as they release tiny particles that can act as an irritant in the lungs (yes, ironic given that they are traditionally used to treat irritated lungs). We harvest seeds wearing a high grade face mask.

Categories: Herbs, Seed Packs

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Sowing and Growing

Sow the seed in the Spring or early Autumn. We usually sow it in open trays in a polytunnel in the Spring. Some people say you get a more substantial yield of the aerial parts if you sow the seed in early Autumn and allow it to overwinter, giving it a head start in the Spring and making it less likely to bolt as the weather warms up. But this may be more relevant to growers in the US where they typically have hotter summers than us in the UK.

Lobelia seed is tiny – one of the smallest seeds that we sell – and it can take 3-4 weeks to germinate, producing equally tiny seedlings that can be slow to get going. We recommend sowing it in open trays using weed-free seed compost so that the seedlings don’t get lost amongst other plants. And make sure the surface of the compost doesn’t dry out while you’re waiting for germination.

Transplant into pots once the seedlings have produced a few true leaves, and plant out into their final position once they are a few inches tall. At some point they seem to have a sudden growth spurt, and you may need to tie them to small stakes to keep them upright once they have reached a certain height and weighed down by seed pods.

We have successfully grown lobelia outdoors but tend to get the best results growing it in our polytunnel or greenhouse.

Uses and Benefits

Do not use lobelia without the guidance of a qualified herbalist.

Lobelia was used by American Indian healers as a fresh-leaf poultice to treat headache and pain, and as a tea of the leaves to treat rheumatism, colds, fevers, and digestive problems. It then grew in popularity, and infamy, as it was favoured by the American Eclectic herbalists as an emetic treatment for asthma and serious fevers. Today it is used by qualified herbalists as a digestive, anti-spasmodic, diaphoretic, expectorant and relaxing nervine.

One of the main alkaloids, lobeline, is considered to act in a similar but weaker way to nicotine and it has been used to ease the addictive nature of tobacco as well as reduce the anxiety of withdrawal.

In the UK, Lobelia is a Schedule 20, part 2 herb, restricting its use to qualified herbalists only and limited to a maximum dose of 200mg or 30 drops of a 1:8 tincture up to 3x/day.

Harvesting and Preparation

Lobelia is commonly harvested just as it is flowering and made into a tincture or infused vinegar. The aerial parts may also be dried for powdering. But, again, we strongly recommend against using lobelia without the guidance of a qualified herbalist.

Species Info

Soil

Loamy, Sandy

Height

40 – 60 cm

Recommended Sowing Times

March, April, August, September

Acidic, Neutral

Sunlight

Full sun, Part shade

Water

Moist, Well-drained

Life Cycle

Annual

Flowering

July, August, September

Hardiness

H4 (hardy – average winter)

Herbal Uses

Circulation, Nervous system, Respiration

Flower Colour(s)

Blue, White

UK Native

RHS Pollinators

Can be sown direct?

Yes

General Uses

Medicinal

Make Your Own

Poultice & Plasters, Smoking, Tincture

Herbal Tradition

Native American, Western

Stratification Needed?

Stratification not required

Recommended for Beginners

Best for Bees

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