Lobelia Herb

Lobelia Herb (Lobelia inflata), sometimes called Indian Tobacco, is a flowering herb native to North America that has been valued in traditional herbal practices for generations. Available in both cut and powdered forms, lobelia is commonly prepared for teas, tinctures, and other herbal preparations. The herb contains naturally occurring plant compounds, including lobeline, and is recognized for its distinctive aroma and traditional use in herbal wellness traditions. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for herbalists, botanical collections, and specialty formulations.

UPC: 084783011101.

Origin(s): India, United States.

Latin Name(s): Lobelia inflata.

Also known as: Asthma weed, Indian pink, Indian tobacco, pukeweed, vomit weed.

Plant Part(s) Used: Herb.

Herbs exhibit natural variations in their size, color, smell, and taste, with each batch and harvest showing differences influenced by environmental conditions and genetics.

Appearance: Greenish to beige.

Aroma: Faintly irritant.

Taste: Acrid.

GMO Status: Non-GMO.

Allergen: None.

Additives: Free of any additives or preservatives.

Applications / Preparations: Lobelia Herb, in both cut and powdered forms, may be used for herbal preparations, teas, tinctures, botanical blends, educational purposes, and personal care applications. Preparation methods vary depending on the form selected. Because external uses vary widely, customers should research reliable sources for preparation and usage methods.

Internal Use – Cut
Adults may take 1/8 teaspoon (approximately 0.25–0.5 g) once daily.

Tea/Infusion: Pour 8–12 fl. oz. of boiling water over 1/8 teaspoon (approximately 0.25–0.5 g) of cut herb. Cover and steep for 5–10 minutes, then strain and serve. Consume no more than 1 cup daily. Due to the potency of this herb, begin with the smallest amount and assess tolerance.

Internal Use – Powder
Adults may take 1/16 to 1/8 teaspoon (approximately 0.15–0.5 g) once daily.

Capsules: For encapsulation, follow capsule machine manufacturer instructions. One teaspoon of powder is approximately 2–3 g, though weight may vary by density.

Powder in beverages/foods: Mix 1/16 to 1/8 teaspoon (approximately 0.15–0.5 g) into 8 fl. oz. (240 ml) of water or another beverage. Stir thoroughly and consume immediately. Due to the potency of this herb, begin with the smallest amount and assess tolerance.

External Use (Cut or Powder)
Lobelia Herb, in both cut and powdered forms, may be used in poultices, compresses, infused oils, salves, liniments, and other topical preparations. Because external uses vary widely, we encourage customers to research the best method and proportions for their needs.

Both cut and powdered Lobelia Herb may be prepared as teas, infusions, tinctures, extracts, herbal blends, or botanical preparations; blended into herbal beverages or specialty formulations; infused into oils, salves, liniments, creams, lotions, or balms; incorporated into poultices, compresses, washes, or other topical applications; used in educational herb collections; and included in DIY personal care and botanical projects.

Storage: Store in a sealed container in a cool, dry place.

Shelf Life: It is very difficult to pin down an exact expiration date for most single herbs as they do not really expire, they lose potency or strength over time but will still have value. Unlike synthetic material or drugs, herbs can contain many constituents that contribute to their medicinal effects. Even if when we know what the active constituents are, there are often many of them in a single herb, each with different rates of degradation. Some herbs lose their effect more easily. Other herbs that possess more stable compounds such as alkaloids or steroids will last much longer.

A huge part of the degradation rate of herbs depends also on the storage conditions of the herb, & even on the quality of the herb before storage – how it was grown, harvested, dried & processed. If the product is left in hot places or open to sunlight then it will degrade much quicker than if it was stored in cool, dry place & sealed tightly.

A good rule of thumb is that herbs should be stored no longer than 2-3 years, but many herbs will have great strength much longer than that. To determine if an herb is still good you can check the appearance & aroma. Herbs that are no longer acceptable will have lost much of its vibrant color & will instead appear dull & faded. The bigger key though is to smell the raw materials to see if the potent aroma is still present. 

Warning: Lobelia is a potent herb and should be used only in small amounts. Do not exceed suggested serving sizes. Consult your healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition. Not recommended for children. Discontinue use if nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or other adverse reactions occur. Keep out of reach of children.