Lobelia
(Lobelia inflata)
Indian tobacco, pukeweed , gagroot, asthma weed, bladderpod

Description: A 1-3 foot tall annual. It contains a milky sap, much branched with an erect, angular, hairy stem. The alternate, hairy leaves with obvious veins are lanceolate and bluntly serrate. Pale violet, tubular flowers have a 2-lipped corolla with 2 erect upper lobes and 3 spreading lower lobes, occurring rather far apart
in loose spike-like racemes. As flowers mature, an inflated ovoid pod is formed, containing numerous small brown seeds. Found throughout eastern and central U.S. in fields, waste areas.

Medicinal: It is a antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, and sedative.
The whole plant is used to treat asthma, whooping cough, fevers, sore throats, and
to induce vomiting. It is used in lozenges, patches and chewing gums to appease
the need for nicotine without addictive effects. Considered toxic. Use only with
professional medical advise.