Lobelia
OTHER NAME(S): Asthma Weed, Bladderpod, Emetic Herb, Gagroot, Herbe à Asthme, Indian Tobacco, Lobélie Brûlante, Lobélie Enflée, Lobélie Gonflée, Pukeweed, Tabac Indien, Vomit Wort, Wild Tobacco, Lobelia inflata, Lobélie
Overview
Lobelia is a plant that grows in Canada and the northern U.S. The above ground parts are used to make medicine.
Lobelia is used for asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, quitting smoking, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Lobelia is also likely unsafe when taken by mouth.
Lobelia contains chemicals that might thin mucus (phlegm) to make it easier to cough up. One chemical in lobelia has actions similar to nicotine.
Lobelia contains chemicals that might thin mucus (phlegm) to make it easier to cough up. One chemical in lobelia has actions similar to nicotine.
Uses
Possibly Ineffective for
- Quitting smoking. Most research suggests that taking lobeline, a chemical found in lobelia, does not help people to quit smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco.
Insufficient Evidence for
- Asthma.
- Bronchitis.
- Cough.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of lobelia for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Lobelia is LIKELY UNSAFE for most people. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, dizziness, and tremors. Large doses of lobelia may cause serious toxic effects including sweating, convulsions, fast heartbeat, very low blood pressure, coma, and possibly death. Taking 0.6-1 gram of the leaf is said to be toxic, and 4 grams may be fatal.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lobelia is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Lobelia is LIKELY UNSAFE for most people. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, dizziness, and tremors. Large doses of lobelia may cause serious toxic effects including sweating, convulsions, fast heartbeat, very low blood pressure, coma, and possibly death. Taking 0.6-1 gram of the leaf is said to be toxic, and 4 grams may be fatal.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lobelia is safe or what the side effects might be.
It's LIKELY UNSAFE for anyone to take lobelia by mouth. But lobelia is especially dangerous for people with the following conditions:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking lobelia is LIKELY UNSAFE. It can cause serious vomiting. Don't take lobelia if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Stomach or intestinal problems including ulcers, Crohn disease, inflammatory bowel disease, infections, and others: Lobelia can irritate the GI tract, which might make these conditions worse.
Heart disease: Lobelia can affect the heart, especially when taken in large doses. Do not take lobelia if you have heart disease.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Lithium interacts with LobeliaLobelia might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking lobelia might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of lobelia depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for lobelia. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
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- Miller, D. K., Crooks, P. A., and Dwoskin, L. P. Lobeline inhibits nicotine-evoked [(3)H]dopamine overflow from rat striatal slices and nicotine-evoked (86)Rb(+) efflux from thalamic synaptosomes. Neuropharmacology 2000;39(13):2654-2662.
- Shibano, M., Tsukamoto, D., Masuda, A., Tanaka, Y., and Kusano, G. Two new pyrrolidine alkaloids, radicamines A and B, as inhibitors of alpha-glucosidase from Lobelia chinensis Lour. Chem Pharm.Bull.(Tokyo) 2001;49(10):1362-1365.
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- Lim, D. Y., Kim, Y. S., and Miwa, S. Influence of lobeline on catecholamine release from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. Auton.Neurosci. 1-30-2004;110(1):27-35.
- LENDLE, L. and RICHTER, R. [Pharmacologic analysis of the emetic and asthmalytic effects of Lobelia tinctures.]. Klin.Wochenschr. 10-15-1950;28(39-40):665-667.
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- Subarnas, A., Tadano, T., Oshima, Y., Kisara, K., and Ohizumi, Y. Pharmacological properties of beta-amyrin palmitate, a novel centrally acting compound, isolated from Lobelia inflata leaves. J Pharm.Pharmacol. 1993;45(6):545-550.
- Subarnas, A., Tadano, T., Nakahata, N., Arai, Y., Kinemuchi, H., Oshima, Y., Kisara, K., and Ohizumi, Y. A possible mechanism of antidepressant activity of beta-amyrin palmitate isolated from Lobelia inflata leaves in the forced swimming test. Life Sci. 1993;52(3):289-296.
- Teng, L., Crooks, P. A., and Dwoskin, L. P. Lobeline displaces [3H]dihydrotetrabenazine binding and releases [3H]dopamine from rat striatal synaptic vesicles: comparison with d-amphetamine. J Neurochem. 1998;71(1):258-265.