Lobelia Inflata

Lobelia Inflata

• What Is It and How Does It Work in the Body?

  • Lobelia inflata is a plant that grows in Canada and the northern United States. In the body, it is used for tobacco cessation. In terms of mechanism, lobeline has affinity to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

• What Is It Used for and at What Dosage?

  • Lobelia inflata has been used for smoking cessation, asthma, and bronchitis. In terms of dosage, it has been administered as an expectorant from 100 mg of dry herb up to three times a day. In history, lobelia was used like tobacco leaves and was smoked for respiratory illnesses. It was also used for nausea and emesis. In 1993, it was banned over the counter for smoking cessation by the FDA.

• Evidence for or Against Its Different Uses (Broken Down by evidence for Each Use):

  • There is clinical data for the use of Lobelia for tobacco cessation, CNS effects, and respiratory effects. For tobacco cessation, results have been controversial as some studies have shown lobeline to be effective, but a meta-analysis found that all previous studies could not adequately prove this. Thus, the FDA removed lobeline products from its list. In terms of CNS effects, a study was performed measuring the effect of lobeline, methylphenidate, and placebo on cohort of individuals with ADHD. It found that there was no difference with lobeline; however, the sample size was limited. There is also some evidence to show lobeline can be used for heroin abuse. Lastly, in terms of respiratory effects, positive effects were seen on pulmonary receptors using bolus doses.

• Safety Concerns, Side Effects, and Precautions:

  • There is safety concern of the dosage of the supplement. A dose of 1 g of the plant is toxic and 4 g of the plant is fatal.

• Interactions with Medications:

  • Interactions of lobelia with other medications or supplements are not well documented.