| I was taking a red eye flight from LA to the | | | | immediately swallowed the contents of the |
| East Coast and hoped to get some sleep on the | | | | two-ounce bottle. Within minutes he vomited |
| plane but soon noticed an older gentleman a | | | | about a half cup of black mucous. Instantly |
| few seats away who was coughing and gasping | | | | he could breathe again and the color returned |
| for air. An oxygen tank confirmed that he | | | | to his face and lips. I walked him back to |
| probably had a chronic problem like emphysema | | | | his seat where, with tears in his eyes, he |
| or bronchitis. | | | | thanked me for helping him feel better. |
| | | | |
| After 15 minutes of listening to him choke | | | | I gave him the empty bottle and suggested |
| and gasp I realized I wouldn't be able to get | | | | that when he got home he could stock up on it |
| any rest if I didn't help him. Since I always | | | | at his local health food store. Then he could |
| carry a bottle of fenugreek and lobelia | | | | take two or three eyedroppers three or four |
| tincture with me, I approached him and | | | | times a day to help him breathe more easily. |
| introduced myself as a natural healing | | | | |
| doctor. I explained how small doses of | | | | After that, both of us were able to sleep all |
| lobelia and fenugreek can dilate the | | | | the way to the East Coast. |
| bronchial tubes making it easier to breathe. | | | | |
| In a stronger dose it can act as an | | | | It isn't only smoking tobacco that causes |
| expectorant and will help break up and get | | | | emphysema and bronchitis; almost anything |
| rid of the mucous that was making him cough | | | | that we inhale that's toxic can cause |
| so hard. At a really strong dose it can act | | | | problems to develop in the lungs. Inhaling |
| as an emetic and could actually cause the | | | | any burning thing including native American |
| mucous to be vomited from the lungs. | | | | tobacco or marijuana can result in emphysema. |
| | | | Inhaling other people's smoke can be deadly. |
| I proposed that he follow me to the restroom | | | | Even inhaling hot air from fires can have |
| where he could take the entire two-ounce | | | | devastating effects. |
| bottle in one large dose. This would | | | | |
| immediately cause him to vomit all the mucous | | | | But by far the most pernicious is the |
| from his lungs and then he might feel much | | | | widespread practice of smoking tobacco |
| better and be able to get some rest. He | | | | because tobacco is so addictive that quitting |
| looked at me and said, "What do I have to | | | | is a real challenge even for strong-willed |
| lose? I'm dying anyway. Lead the way." | | | | people. It's best to avoid even being around |
| | | | people who have a smoking habit. Second hand |
| We went back to the restroom where he | | | | smoke can kill you, too. |