If you live in a state where ephedra is banned, or if you have high blood pressure and are sensitive to ephedra products, another excellent and old-time remedy for clearing the lungs is the herb lobelia (pronounced low-beel-ya). Lobelia (Lobelia inflata) is used for many afflictions, including asthma, because of its expectorant abilities—this means that it helps the body clear out toxins and mucus. As a member of the lobeline family, lobelia acts in a similar way on the nervous system as nicotine does—in fact, it was once smoked by Native Americans instead of tobacco. Even today, supplementing with lobelia has been useful in supporting those who want to stop smoking.
Be warned, however, that lobelia is both an emetic and an expectorant, so taking this herb along with cigarettes may make you very queasy after smoking. This nauseating effect has helped many associate their sick stomach feeling to cigarettes and has made quitting easier.
Lobelia also serves to calm the nervous system and is another reason why nervous smokers might like lobelia. For asthma, lobelia works to relax constricted bronchials, making it much easier to breathe.
Small doses work best with lobelia—taking too much at once (even if you are not a smoker) might make you nauseous or even cause you to vomit. However, once this passes you should feel better than ever because the toxins have been expelled. Start out with one capsule of lobelia and see how you do before taking more.
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