Lobelia and Magnesium Questions Answered By Your Herbalist

by Your Herbalist

Jennifer,

LOBELIA QUESTION
To answer your "lobelia question", I would begin with half a dropper 3 times daily.
You do not have to take under the tongue, although this method is believed to ensure best absorption of lobelia
(via mucus membranes). You may also blend lobelia with some water and then drink it.
You can icrease to 1 dropper thrice daily after a couple of days and continue until you cough is gone.
Then stay on 1 dropper once per day for maintenance.
Take breaks. After 2 - 3 months take a couple of weeks break.

HEALTHY SMOKING?
I would like to include a quick comment on your lifestyle.
It is truly fantastic that you are trying your best to live clean, healthy life,
eating organic foods, supplementing with herbs...
So yes, it's "crazy" that you smoke (you have said it yourself).
Even though you are using natural (organic too?) tobacco to roll your own cigarettes in order to avoid commercial smokes,
smoking is still not healthy.
You are not planning to quit...
I know how hard it is to quit, I am a former smoker (1 pack a day, brands with a large content of nicotine that I was addicted to).

Now, I do not work with addictions and I do not consider myself an expert on the subject.
Therefore I will talk a little about the harmful effects of tobacco itself.
I know, I know... you say you already learned all this.

Did you really?

The belief that natural tobacco is better is often disputed.
In fact there are claims that natural may even be worse. Perhaps such claims are to destroy the idea of "healthy smoking".
My personal opinion based on all I have read in my entire life is that there is no such thing as healthy smoking.

Why?

Because even if the tobacco you use is "natural" and even "organic" it still does contain tar and the smoke has toxic agents in it, such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia and carcinogenic hydrocarbons.
Even if your tobacco had absolutely no nicotine (which it has) you still inhaling dangerous toxins as you smoke.

One more thing: natural tobacco may even delay your decision to quit because, apparently it "tastes " better than than commercial preparations.

And this is a problem.

CAN'T QUIT BUT TRYING TO LIVE HEALTHY
I understand the reason why you may not be ready to quit.
Your decision then to eat organic, exercise, carry out periodic cleansing etc. is the right one.
In order to counteract the effects of smoking and to attempt keeping your lungs and respiratory system as clean as possible you should consider to continuously take Capsicum, Mullein, and/or a good herbal combination such as "Lung Support" combination for instance.
You can also periodically use Lobelia either in a tincture form or in capsules.

MAGNESIUM COMPLEX QUESTION
Magnesium Complex can be taken twice daily. One capsule with food each time.
Magnesium performs an enormous amount of work in the body.
But it is often referred to as a anti-stress mineral.
I understand that you niece is probably trying to fight off the effects of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
If this is the case, please include Evening Primrose Oil in divided doses. 1 capsule 3 times daily is a good start. You could also give her Red Raspberry Leaf, one of the best female herbs. It contains manganese, a very important "female mineral"

Good luck with your health and please let me know how things are going.

Your Herbalist

Lobelia Question/Magnesium Complex Question

by Jennifer
(St. Louis, MO)

Hello... I have a couple questions...

FIRST QUESTION: Lobelia. I bought this for myself. I am 56 years old and I have been smoking since I was 15.

SIDE NOTE: Let me add here that for the past 8 years or so, I roll my own cigarettes with as natural a tobacco as I can buy. So, I am not getting the kazillion number of chemicals in my body that the tobacco companies add to commercial cigaretttes. I know it's crazy that I smoke...I eat as organic as I can and I have been dabbling in herbs for many, many years...yet, I smoke...whatever, I do and really don't see quitting anytime soon.

So, back to the Lobelia question! After reading your info on it, I definitely want to add this herb to my daily routine. Especially right now because it has been taking forever to get over this cold I acquired (3 weeks ago). It has been my first cold in like 5 years! But my lungs are taking forever to get rid of all the congestion. How much Lobelia should I take? Is taking it under my tongue the absolute best way to take it? After the congestion is totally gone, how much should I take from then on out as maintenance for my lungs?

SECOND QUESTION: Magnesium Complex. I bought this for my 14 year old niece. She has been having some health issues, especially during and close to her period. She gets light headed and "sick feeling". Now, her not being my own child, I cannot control what she eats and how much sleep she gets. But I very much want to help her. I did some research on the Internet and a magnesium supplement seems like it would be a good thing for her. Would one pill a day be a good maintenance and then maybe 2 at her period time? Any other advice on additional supplements would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your time! Sincerely, Jennifer