Lobelia species

[Patti KemnerStudent]

Do the other species of Lobelia (listed in Strictly Medicinals catalog) L. cardinalis and L. siphilitica also have the same medicinal properties as Lobelia inflata? Looking in some other herbals, I only see L. inflata listed.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Lobelia inflata is the most commonly used and is the strongest antispasmodic. The other two, L. cardinalis and L. siphilitica have similar properties (as well as a few distinct properties). L. cardinalis is the prettiest. :0)

Lobelia erinus is the little Lobelia in all the summer hanging baskets at the nursery. That’s an African species and is quite different than the others. Very little research has been done on it.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Karla J Bennett, Patti Kemner

[SharonStudent]

For Lobelia – is the medicine the leaves, flowers, or both?

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Aerial parts…anything above the ground.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Sharon

[SharonStudent]

Thanks Doc.  And the first year for them, as I understand it, won’t be much leaf and no flower!

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Lobelia inflata is an annual (or sometimes a biennial). L. cardinalis is a perrennial. So, don’t wait for a better year on the L. inflata.  When I’ve grown it, it’s always been good enough to harvest the first year.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Sharon

[SharonStudent]

Interesting!  Richo’s instructions for the seed: “it makes sense to follow the natural cycles for this plant.  In nature, germination is in the fall, after which the low-lying rosette overwinters, and flowers and goes to seed in the next spring to early summer.  If you try to grow it as a spring annual it will probably bolt to flower when the soils warm up in the summer and give very little yield.”

I like your assessment better that I’ll actually get something from my “paltry few” plants!  Do you plant seeds in the spring and then harvest that same summer?

[Steven FeilStudent]

As you mention, each plant has fairly specific propagation/germination requirements. They also have similar needs for harvesting. Lobelia inflata, for example, being an annual, will be harvested the first year. Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcis senticosus) is a seven year wait. Some are shorter. Some are longer. Some plants are affected by where they are growing as well. In some zones Lobelia must be planted in the Spring as the plant will not survive the Winter. Richo lives in a fairly mild environment.

[Author]

Posts