Lobelia inflata Dry leaves

LATIN NAME: LOBELIA INFLATA

COMMON NAME: Indian Tobacco

The Indian tobacco puffs the upright, branching annual with the oval, toothed, green leaves and the small, pale-blue to violet, two-lipped flowers that open along the stems through the summer, the small, inflated, bladder-like capsules following and puffing out the tiny seeds. The inflated capsules give the plant its name, and the stems branch into the airy form. It likes the sun or the part shade, and the moist, well-drained soil.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

In the bellflower family, the lobelias have a long, useful record in the studies of the medicinal herbs, and the inflata species appears in the research on the leaf chemistry and the bladder-like capsules that puff out the seeds. The pharmacologists value the leaf preparations, while the botanists note the inflated fruits that give the plant its name. The seed biology fills out the picture, and the growers of the traditional medicinal annuals keep the species in their catalogues.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

In the moist, sunny garden, the Indian tobacco puffs the tiny seeds from the summer capsules. The two-lipped flowers feed the bees, the leaves have served the traditional preparations for the ages, and the plant seeds itself readily into the moist corners. It grows well in the moist, well-drained ground. Upright, airy and self-sowing.

To grow the Indian Tobacco from seed,

Scatter the seeds over the moist, fine surface of the tray, then press them in gently, keep the tray in the bright, cool spot and mist lightly

Keep the tray bright and just damp, and thin the seedlings for the airy form. The inflated capsules come within the season.

. The seedlings rise within a couple of weeks, and they grow on steadily. Settle the young plants in the moist, well-drained ground, and the inflated capsules will puff the seeds over the summer.

The Herb Lobelia inflata
(Lobelia inflata)
Lobeline is a piperidine alkaloid found in lobelia and gives rise to the therapeutic claims surrounding this herb. It is though to stimulate the the respiratory center of the brain resulting in deeper and stronger breathing At a non toxic dose, lobelia is thought to be of value as an herbal remedy for treating bronchitis and whooping cough. Lobelia inflata is a bronchodilator and antispasmodic which explains its popularity as a medicinal herb for asthma, spasmodic croup and pneumonia.
Lobelia is often considered a herb that is useful for tobacco withdrawal and as an herbal remedy to quit smoking. While there is no information that consolidates this view, historically, lobelia has been used as an alternative to tobacco. Lobeline is also believed to have a similar chemical action to nicotine and this too could give reasoning behind its use in tobacco withdrawal.