Lobelia Inflata - Side Effects and Benefits

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

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

Lobelia Inflata Herb & Tincture

Lobelia Herb by Starwest Botanicals Lobelia Extract by Herb Pharm

Benefits, Therapeutic Uses and Claims of Lobelia Inflata

• Lobelia inflata was used in the 19th century as a medicinal herb to induce vomiting as a mean to remove harmful toxins 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 thought to stimulate 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 an 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.

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.

Leave a Comment or Tips on Lobelia Inflata

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Name: jim
E-mail: Private
Date posted: December 15, 2011 - 06:01 am
Message: This definatly is the BEST way to quit smoking. highly recommended!

Name: Doug
E-mail: Private
Date posted: April 09, 2011 - 09:51 am
Message: While collecting lobelia inflata, with the resin on my hands I rubbed my eye and it caused both eyes to water and cleared up my mildly congested sinuses.

Name: deLadyBex
E-mail: bexgardenia@yahoo.com
Date posted: January 22, 2012 - 03:22 am
Message: I have used Lobelia for many many years. I do notice the tabacco taste or sting as I call it. I use ït when I have spasms and when my throat gets tight from allergies. I like to use the ticture the best and take it only when I need it, due to toxicity it may have if over used there might be a senstivity to it at some time in use.

"Then God said, "Let the land burst forth with every sort of grass and seed-bearing plant. And let there be trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. The seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came." And so it was. The land was filled with seed-bearing plants and trees, and their seeds produced plants and trees of like kind. And God saw that it was good."
The Bible - Genesis 1:11-12