Medical Condition Library

Information Centers

Wellness Centers

Helpful Resources

Lobelia

Home | Health Information Center | Natural & Alternative Treatments | Herbs & Supplements | Article

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.

Dosages

There 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

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.