Lobelia Inflata - Side Effects and Benefits

The Lobelia Inflata Flower
(Verbascum thapsus)
(Click on image to enlarge)
Attribution: Professor Hugh Wilson

Botanical Name: Lobelia inflata
Other Common Names for Lobelia Inflata:
Lobelia, pukeweed, Indian tobacco, gagroot, asthma weed, vomitwort, bladderpod, rapuntium inflatum.

Habitat:
Lobelia is found in drier areas of America and Canada.

Plant Description:
This herb is named after Mattias de Lobel, a botanist who lived in the 17th century. This herb is 30-60cm high and with sparsely leaved stems; Lobelia is an annual or sometimes biennial plant. The delicate flowers stem from a central stalk and are pale blue to violet in colour with a yellow tinge within, making this herb a popular flowering garden plant. The partial explanation why this herb is being compared to tobacco could be that when chewed, this herb tastes similar to tobacco.

Plant Parts Used:
Flowering parts and seeds

Lobelia Inflata Supplements

Lobelia Herb
by Starwest Botanicals

Lobelia Extract Tincture
by Herbal Remedies USA

Benefits, Therapeutic Uses and Claims of Lobelia Inflata

Lobelia inflata was used in the 19th century as a medicinal herb to induce womiting as a mean to remove harmful toxis from the body, which explains one of its name "puke weed."

The Herb Lobelia inflata
(Lobelia inflata)
Kohler's Medicinal Plants - 1887

Lobeline is a piperidine alkaloid found in lobelia and gives rise to the therapeutic claims surrounding this herb. It is though to stimulate the the respiratory center of the brain resulting in deeper and stronger breathing At a non toxic dose, lobelia is thought to be of value as an herbal remedy for treating bronchitis and whooping cough. Lobelia inflata is a bronchodilator and antispasmodic which explains its popularity as a medicinal herb for asthma, spasmodic croup and pneumonia.
Lobelia is often considered a herb that is useful for tobacco withdrawal and as an herbal remedy to quit smoking. While there is no information that consolidates this view, historically, lobelia has been used as an alternative to tobacco. Lobeline is also believed to have a similar chemical action to nicotine and this too could give reasoning behind its use in tobacco withdrawal. However, it is vital to note that this herb can have risks that outweigh its benefits and has been known to cause vomiting, dizziness, hypothermia, convulsions and even death.

Recommended Herbal Remedies

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Dosage and Administration

Recommended dosage of Lobelia are as follows:
Fluid extract – 1:1 ratio in 50% alcohol is 0.2-0.6ml three times daily
Dried Herb – 0.2-0.6gr three times daily

These doses must be discussed with your health care practitioner before commencing use.

Side Effects and Possible Interactions of Lobelia Inflata

Extreme care should be used when using any medication to control asthma and Lobelia inflata is no exception. It is essential to consult your health care professional when altering medications and to thoroughly investigate how medications may interact with each other.

Lobelia inflata is known to be toxic at relatively low doses and in some countries this herb is scheduled, meaning its sale is restricted. Some practitioners argue that if lobelia could be produced in standardised form, where Lobeline is at a guaranteed dose, then this herb would be safer to prescribe.

Toxic doses of lobelia will give rise to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, convulsions and can be fatal. Lobelia should be used only under the guidance of a qualified herbalist experienced in the use of this herb.

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