Lobelia
Supplement Forms/Alternate Names:
• Lobelia inflata, Indian tobacco
Introduction
Lobelia is a plant that grows in North America. The leaves are used to ease cough and improve lung function. Lobelia can be taken as a pill, powder, or extract. It can also be made into a tea.
DosagesThere aren’t any advised doses for lobelia.
What Research Shows
Unlikely to Be Effective
- Nicotine addiction—unlikely to help people quit smoking A1-A3
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Safety Notes
It may not be safe to take lobelia. It may cause dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Interactions
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse, such as:
- Lobelia may make nicotine more harmful to the body.
References [ + ]
A1. Glover ED, Rath JM, et al. A multicenter phase 3 trial of lobeline sulfate for smoking cessation. Am J Health Behav. 2010 Jan-Feb;34(1):101-109.
A2. Stead LF, Hughes JR. Lobeline for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Feb 15;(2):CD000124.
A3. Cahill K, Stevens S, et al. Pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation: an overview and network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 May 31;(5):CD009329.
Last reviewed March 2020 by EBSCO NAT Review Board
Eric Hurwitz, DC
Last Updated: 6/29/2020