Indian Tobacco, Lobelia inflata

Diabetes: Kudzu root, taken three times daily, helps stabilize blood sugar levels and improves glucose metabolism. Alcoholism: Kudzu consumption decreases an individual’s desire for alcohol. Even a single dose significantly curbs alcohol consumption and may work well for treating people who binge drink or who are alcoholics. Recipes: Kudzu Decoction: 60 grams dried kudzu root, chopped, 3 cup water. Combine the water and kudzu root and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and cover tightly. Let the kudzu steep for another 30 minutes. The decoction will be thick. Take 1/3 cup of the decoction, three times a day. Store the remaining decoction in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Called Indian Tobacco because of its use among Native Americans, this herb is also known as pokeweed, pukeweed, gagroot, vomitwort, asthma weed, and bladderpod. Each seems to refer to one of the properties of the herb, making them easy to remember. It is in the Campanulaceae (Bellflower) Family. Identification: Indian Tobacco grows to heights of 1 to 2 feet (0.3m to 0.6m), and is erect with a sporadically leaved stem. The stem is angular with white hairs that are less abundant on the upper part, making the stems smooth towards the top, and feathery and rough near the bottom. The pale green or yellowish leaves of the Indian Tobacco plant grow alternately and become smaller as they ascend the stem. These stems have tiny white dots scattered along the margin and are finely spiked. The upper part of the leaf is almost hairless while the lower part is hairy along the major veins. The delicate flowers of Indian Tobacco are pale bluish to violet in color with a touch of yellow. These flowers are tiny, asymmetrical, and bisexual. Edible Use: Indian tobacco is not edible, but the leaves are used for flavoring in brewed beverages. They have a mildly bitter taste.

Medicinal Use:

Many medicinal uses call for Indian Tobacco powder. It can be consumed straight, put into a little Indian Tobacco, By H. Zell - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 water, or packed into a capsule. Traditional use was to smoke the leaves, bur be aware of toxicity and potentially harmful effects. Its aerial parts (leaves, seedpods, flowers, and seeds) are primarily used for medicine. Roots are sometimes used externally. Respiratory Problems: Lobelia inflata treats respiratory disorders such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, pleurisy, and pneumonia. The leaves can be smoked, used as a tea, or swallowed as a powder in a little water to release phlegm from the respiratory system. Stop Smoking: Some people have found success kicking the nicotine habit using Indian tobacco. Lobeline, found in this plant and similar to nicotine, helps with nicotine withdrawal. It is rarely a successful strategy since this Lobelia also contains addictive substances when used regularly. Antidepressant: Lobelia inflata raises the mood of people with anxiety disorders, dysthymia, eating disorders, OCD, and major depressive disorders.