The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies Body Aches, Muscle and Joint Pain: A decoction or a salve made from the roots of Lobelia inflata treats tennis elbow, whiplash injuries, arthritis, and other muscle and joint pain. Apply the salve or decoction directly to the skin over the painful area and rub it in or make a poultice from the roots and rub it into the aching body parts.
Collect flowers, leaves, seeds, and roots from the plant. Dry before use.
Warning: Due to its lobeline content, Lobelia inflata
tions, sores, and boils, make a decoction of boiled crushed roots and use it to wash the affected area, leaving it on to dry in place.
is considered toxic if taken large quantities. Start with small doses and slowly increase the dosage as needed and only if necessary. Side effects are uncommon, but anyone can develop allergies or reactions without warning. Due to its similarities to nicotine, it may be toxic to susceptible individuals, including people with cardiac diseases, children, and pregnant women. Excessive use of this herb will cause vomiting and nausea.
Relaxing the Neuromuscular System: Indian
Recipes: Indian Tobacco Decoction: 1-ounce
Minor Skin Irritations: For minor skin irrita-
tobacco is nervine and antispasmodic. It relaxes the nerves, calms muscle spasms, and helps with relaxation.
Inducing Vomiting: To release poisons or recently ingested harmful substances from the body, Indian tobacco, also known as vomitwort, is excellent. Use a concentrated tincture form to induce vomiting. Harvesting: Harvest in the early summer. Wear gloves to avoid the tiny, spiky hairs that prickle your hands.
ground root or leaves, 1-quart (1Liter) distilled water. Bring the water to a boil in a non-reactive pot. Add the ground root. Reduce the heat to a very low simmer and cover the pot tightly. Simmer the root mixture for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat. Strain the decoction and discard the root. Keep the decoction in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it in portions for longer storage. Use topically (roots and/or leaves) or take up 1/4 cup internally (leaves).
Leaves are bluish-green in color, oval or lance shaped, and coarsely toothed. Lower leaves are opposite, while upper leaves are alternate.
Jewelweed, Impatiens capensis Orange jewelweed, also known as garden balsam, jewel balsam weed, and touch-me-not, is a member of the Balsaminaceae (Touch-Me-Not) Family. There are several varieties, including Impatiens capensis, which are medicinally active. Impatiens are an attractive garden plant popular for their beauty. Their showy flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Jewelweed is often found in moist soil and shady places. Look for it along creek beds, near streams, and at the edge of the woods. It is found throughout most of the United States with the exception of Montana, Wyoming, California, and the southwest.
Identification: Jewelweed is named for its seeds and leaves. Ripe seedpods “pop” when touched, giving it the name Touch-Me-Not. Dew and rain beads up on the leaves, looking like “jewels”, hence the name “jewelweed”.
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Jewelweed blooms from May through October and produces two kinds of flowers. Showy orange trumpet shaped flowers hang from thin stems. They are about an inch in length and have mottled reddish-brown spots inside the throat of the trumpet. The second
