Lobelia Leaf C/S Indian (Lobelia inflata) 1 lb: C

This is Starwest's nitrogen-flushed double wall silverfoil pack. Used as an infusion, decoction, extract, tincture, syrup, poultice and smoke. Lobelia is also known as Indian tobacco. It was used ceremonially, sacramentally and magically by many Native American tribes. It is a powerful physical relaxant, and thus useful for hacking coughs and hysteria. Eclectic physicians generally recommended using a tincture of lobelia made partially or entirely with vinegar instead of alcohol. It was also used as a tea or strong boiled decoction. In small doses Lobelia acts as a stimulant and in larger doses it act as a nerve depressant. Contains the potent alkaloid lobeline which is used in anti-smoking lozenges. Large doeses of lobelia are nauseating. Grieve’s classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Expectorant, diaphoretic, anti-asthmatic. It should not be employed as an emetic. Some authorities attach great value to it as an expectorant in bronchitis, others as a valuable counterirritant when combined with other ingredients in ointment form. It is sometimes given in convulsive and inflammatory disorders such as epilepsy, tetanus, diphtheria and tonsilitis. There is also difference of opinion with regard to its narcotic properties. Where relaxation of the system is required, as, for instance, to subdue spasm, Lobelia is invaluable. Relaxation can be counteracted by the stimulating and tonic infusion of capsicum. It may be used as an enema.' 'Externally, an infusion has been found useful in ophthalmia, and the tincture can be used as a local application for sprains, bruises, or skin diseases, alone, or in powder combined with an equal part of slippery elm bark and weak lye-water in a poultice. The oil of Lobelia is valuable in tetanus. One drop of oil triturated with one scruple of sugar, and divided into from 6 to 12 doses, is useful as an expectorant, nauseant, sedative, and diaphoretic, when given every one or two hours.' Preparations and Dosages: Powdered bark, 5 to 60 grains. Fluid extract, 10 to 20 drops. Acid tincture, 1 to 4 drachms. Tincture, U.S.P., 1 to 4 drachms. Etherial tincture, B.P., 5 to 15 drops. Syrup, 1 to 4 drachms. Solid extract, 2 to 4 grains. Oil of seed, 1 drop rubbed up with 20 grains of ginger and divided into 6 to 12 doses. Lobelin, ¼ to 3 grains. King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Lobelia is nauseant, emetic, expectorant, relaxant, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, sialagogue, sedative, and, secondarily, occasionally cathartic and diuretic and astringent. It is in no sense a narcotic. The earliest use of lobelia, as will be seen from its history, was that of an emetic, and for this purpose it is still employed when we desire the action of a systemic emetic.' 'The powerfully relaxant properties of lobelia render it a very efficient agent in several conditions, whose chief feature is the spasmodic element. For its control over spasmodic movement, nauseant or emetic doses must be given.' 'Perhaps the most important use