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| were put on trial. Much of the testimony condemning lobelia in the 1800s was fabrication, lies told to dishonor Thomson, Coffin and anyone else who recommended it. Lobelia's tarnished reputation survives today, with herbal reference books and FDA reports claiming that it's poisonous, toxic, dangerous and potentially fatal. These accusations, all of which stem from 19th century trials, remain unproven. As Dr. Christopher wrote 150 years after Thomson made lobelia a household word, "The belief that lobelia is a dangerous poison has no basis in fact. . . . Throughout all the prosecutions, there has never been a single instance of harm resulting from the use of lobelia." |
| According to Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical Council and publisher of the journal HerbalGram some scientists want to ban lobelia because it causes vomiting, even though, as he notes, "it has nowhere near the toxic potential of aspirin or ibuprofen." Some claim that lobelia causes respiratory distress, but this claim, too, according to Blumenthal, is an untested speculation. |
| Jethro Kloss, whose Back to Eden has been a bestseller since 1939, devoted thirteen pages to lobelia, which he considered a specific for pulmonary complaints such as bronchitis, croup, whooping cough and asthma, and which he called "the most powerful relaxant known among herbs that have no harmful effects." |
| If you decide to try lobelia, start with small doses of lobelia tincture (7 to 15 drops) in a cup of herbal tea and gradually increase the dosage to 1/8 teaspoon. If you experience nausea or any adverse reaction, reduce the dosage or discontinue use. Lobelia is an important catalyst herb, making the herbal blends in which it is used more effective than they would be without it. |
| Lobelia is of special interest to smokers, for it helps reduce the craving for tobacco. In addition, it's common name, Indian tobacco, reflects its history as a smoking herb. In addition to their other uses, most herbs can be smoked just like tobacco in pipes or cigarettes. This is a controversial therapy, |
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