* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
Lobelia Lobelia inflata L.
Family: Campanulaceae.
Other Names: Indian tobacco; asthma weed; lobélie enflée (French); Aufgeblasene Lobelie, Indianertabak (German); lobelia (Italian).
Description: Indian tobacco is a small, much-branched annual herb of up to 0.5 m in height, with soft, stalkless leaves and small, pale blue flowers borne amongst leafy bracts along the branch tips. The calyx of the flower is characteristically swollen, hence the botanical name inflata. Several other Lobelia species have been used in folk medicine. Chinese lobelia (L. chinensis) is a traditional diuretic; blue cardinal flower (L. siphilitica) has a reputation of being a syphilis cure, while the Chilean cardinal flower (L. tupa) is a traditional narcotic and toothache remedy.
Origin: North America. The other species mentioned are from China (L. chinensis), eastern North America (L. siphilitica) and Chile (L. tupa). Indian tobacco is cultivated in North America, Russia and India. Many Lobelia species are popular garden plants.
Uses and Properties: Extracts are still included in preparations for the symptomatic treatment of asthma, bronchitis and pertussis. An isolated ingredient, lobeline, is used in oral anti-smoking preparations to lessen the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Extracts were once injected as resuscitation treatment for asphyxia and apnoea in babies but is no longer used because of undesirable side effects. North American Indians used the plant as a tobacco substitute (hence the common name) and as an emetic.
Active Ingredients: The herb contains seseveral piperidine alkaloids (up to 0.5% of dry weight), of which lobeline is the major compound. The alkaloids are also found in the latex and are complexed with chelidonic acid.
Pharmacological Effects: Lobeline activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (similar to nicotine). It is a respiratory stimulant which accelerates respiratory movements by a direct action on the central nervous system. It also acts as a bronchodilator and ganglionic stimulant. The herb is stated to have spasmodic, expectorant and emetic properties.
Status: Traditional medicine; Pharm.
Name
Lobelia inflata L. (Campanulaceae), commonly called Indian Tobacco, gag root, and puke weed in English. A closely related variety, Lobelia dortmanna L., which grows in Europe, contains the same active ingredients. In France, it is called Lobélie de Dortman. In German, it is Wasser Spleisse or Wasser-Lobelie.
Source
Lobelia is grown commercially in North America, and in the Netherlands. Remedies are made from the crushed dried flowers of the plant.
History
During the late 1700s, and the first part of the nineteenth century, American physicians used lobelia to induce vomiting and remove "toxins." Some physicians recommended smoking it to relieve the wheezing of asthma. For the last several decades, one of the components, called lobeline, has been used to help people stop smoking.
Traditional Claims
Lobelia is used as a diaphoretic (something that causes sweating), expectorant, sedative and purgative (laxative).
Commission E Recommendations
The Commission makes no mention of this herb.
Proven Effects
The leaves, stems and flowers of lobelia contain nearly two dozen different alkaloids, most of which are closely related to nicotine (piperidine alkaloids). Some of these alkaloids have the ability to prevent inflammation, or at least reduce it and work in much the same way as commercial products, such as Advil. Lobeline, a slightly different sort of alkaloid, is used in smoking cessation. How, and even whether, it helps a person to stop smoking is not clear, but at the molecular level, this alkaloid shares common mechanisms with cocaine and methamphetamine, and even antidepressants, like Prozac, i.e., it prevents the reuptake of dopamine. Reuptake is the way the body turns off neurotransmitters. If reuptake is prevented, then the effects of the hormone are exaggerated. Lobeline has a molecular structure very similar to that of nicotine and it produces many of the same effects. In large doses, both lobeline and nicotine cause nausea and vomiting. Even the dose prescribed in smoking cessation programs, 2-4 milligrams several times a day, may leave some users nauseated. Claims that extract of lobelia, or smoked lobelia, are effective treatments for asthma or stomach cramps have never been validated in a clinical trial.
Dosage
According to the British Pharmaceutical Codex, 50 to 200 milligrams of dried herb three times a day is the recommended dose for asthma, chronic bronchitis, and spastic colon.
The recommended dose for tincture (1:8, 60 percent ethanol) is .4 to 1.6 milliliters up to three times a day.
User Group Forum
Share your questions and information with the ZooScape community!
louis - May 17, 2006, 15:48
#10000527
i like to know if 450 mg of lobelia per dose will help for somebody who wants to quit smoking..
ZooScape Moderator - May 25, 2006, 15:25
#10001411
Lobelia is considered to be one of the most powerful herbs available to help calm your mind and relax your body. And when it seems like you've tried everything available to quit smoking - 'cold turkey,' 'the patch,' chewing on toothpicks, celery sticks or pencils - then maybe it's time to try Lobelia. This herb has helped many people take control of their cravings and finally quit the habit. Lobeline salts are said to render nicotine terrible-tasting.
The suggested daily dosage for Lobelia is to take 1 capsule, 3 times daily, with meals.
Directions
Take 1 capsule, 3 times daily, with meals.
Cautions
Do not use during pregnancy.
Concerns
Lobelia is generally considered a fairly toxic plant. Like nicotine, the lobeline contained in lobelia stimulates sympathetic nerve ganglia. Large doses, in addition to causing nausea and vomiting, can also cause profound sweating, rapid heart rate and low blood pressure. It should only be used under a doctor's supervision.
Warnings
Remedies made from lobelia should not be used by pregnant women. Taking very large doses can lead to convulsions and even death in both men and women.
Drug Testing
Insurance companies test urine to see if applicants are cigarette smokers. The chemical they test for is a nicotine metabolite called conitine. Lobeline is very closely related to nicotine, but as far as anyone knows, lobeline is not metabolized to conitine and should not cause a false positive test. Nor should any of the other components have any effect on standard workplace drug screening tests.
Additional Information
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
