What Is Lobelia and What Is It Good For?

Lobelia is a plant that's been used for hundreds of years in traditional medicine. Lobelia is used to treat bruises, muscle pains, sprains, bug bites, rashes, and asthma.

Lobelia is a plant that’s been used for hundreds of years in traditional medicine. We still don’t understand the exact effects that this plant can have on the human body, though, and it can be harmful when taken at moderate and high doses. It should only be used under the direct supervision of your doctor or another medical professional. 

There are many species of lobelia found throughout the world. Three common ones include: 

• Lobelia inflata
• Lobelia berlandieri
• Lobelia cardinalis

Lobelia inflata is one of the most common varieties found in North America. It goes by a number of nicknames, including: 

• Indian tobacco
• Puke weed
• Asthma weed
• Gag root
• Vomit wort
• Wild tobacco

These plants usually grow to about three feet in height. They have strong, hairy stems that branch toward the top. Their flowers are pale blue on the outside and yellow on the inside. Their leaves range in color from pale green to yellowish hues. They have a sharp taste and a mildly irritating smell. 

The leaves are the main part of the plant used for medicinal purposes, but both the leaves and seeds have been used in supplements. The leaves can be prepared as a: 

• Pill
• Powder
• Extract
• Tea

Traditionally, lobelia was used by Native Americans to treat asthma. It was then prescribed by doctors in the 1800s to induce vomiting. This is where it picked up nicknames like puke weed. 

It’s been used as a treatment for a range of respiratory problems too, like bronchitis and chronic coughing. It was sometimes applied to the skin in lotions and ointments to treat: 

• Muscle pain
• Bruises
• Boils
• Bug bites
• Sprains
• Poison ivy rashes

None of these traditional uses have been supported by scientific research, though. You shouldn’t take or use lobelia for any of these reasons because there’s no evidence that these uses are safe or effective.  

Early studies with lobelia suggested that a particular compound found in the plant — lobeline — was an effective way to treat a nicotine addiction. Nicotine is the main addictive component of tobacco products. For a time, lobeline was widely used in treatments that were designed to help people quit smoking. 

Unfortunately, large-scale trials failed to back up these claims. In 1993, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibited the sale of smoking products that contained lobeline because there was no evidence that it actually helped people quit smoking. 

It’s still occasionally prescribed to help clear mucus from your respiratory system, and one human trial found that lobelia supplements improved the working memory of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Lobelia didn’t impact the attention span of these adults, though, and is not currently recommended as a treatment for this disorder.  

At present, most of the evidence for lobelia’s ability to treat medical conditions comes from animal studies. These studies are trying to verify many of the traditional uses for lobelia that are listed above. Still, although some early evidence is promising, there are no current verified uses for lobelia to treat humans. Many more human studies are needed before researchers can recommend lobelia for any particular conditions.  

The original reason that lobelia was studied as a treatment for nicotine addiction is that lobeline seems to mimic this chemical in particular ways. Like nicotine, lobeline can stimulate your central nervous system. It’s capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier. Once within your brain, it can stimulate dopamine and norepinephrine.  

In low doses, lobeline can dilate — or widen — the passages in your lungs and increase your respiration rate. However, higher doses have the exact opposite effect and can lead to respiratory problems.  

Lobelia is considered a potentially toxic plant when used in supplements. 

Supplements are generally not inspected or regulated by the FDA. This means that the U.S. isn’t specifically approving supplements that contain lobelia. 

In small doses, lobelia can be safe to consume, but you must consume it while under your doctor’s supervision. This will ensure that you stay as healthy and safe as possible when taking supplements from this plant. 

It’s entirely possible that lobelia supplements could be dangerous — even fatal — so make sure that you’re getting your supplements from a trusted source. Talk to your doctor for the best advice on where to acquire the safest lobelia supplements. 

Side effects reported by people taking lobelia include: 

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea 
• Headaches
• Coughing

In rare cases, you could also experience much more serious complications. You should talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms: 

• Severe sweating
• Drowsiness
• Convulsions
• A rapid heartbeat
• Shaking
• Collapse

There’s also the chance that lobelia will cause a life-threatening coma or allergic reaction in certain people. You need to seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the symptoms of an allergic reaction following lobelia consumption. These symptoms include: 

• Hives
• Itching
• Trouble breathing
• Tightness in your chest
• Swelling in your lips, tongue, or throat

When starting out with lobelia, you should begin with a very low dose. If you’re seeing positive effects, then you should gradually increase your dose over time. Just make sure that you have your doctor’s permission before increasing your dose. 

You may immediately experience complications if you start with too high of a dose. For example, one study gave healthy adults 12 micrograms per kilogram. This amount led to a number of negative respiratory side effects in adults, like coughing and trouble breathing. 

You should avoid taking lobelia if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. There isn’t currently enough data to know whether or not lobelia is safe for people to take in these situations. 

Lobelia may also make certain medical conditions worse. You shouldn’t take lobelia if you have: 

• Heart problems
• High blood pressure
• Intestinal issues, like ulcers, Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel disease (IBD) 

Lobelia can also interfere with the function of some prescription medications. You shouldn’t take lobelia supplements if you’re on any of the following types of medication: 

• Antidepressants
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Stimulants for adults with ADHD
• Nicotine patches or gum

Make sure to talk to your doctor as soon as you notice any negative reactions to lobelia. Don’t hesitate to get emergency medical services if you believe that you’re having a bad reaction to any products made from lobelia.