Lobelia is a plant that was used by Native American Indians to treat respiratory conditions like asthma. This is sometimes called Indian tobacco. Interestingly, it is also called puke weed because of its medicinal use to induce vomiting in the 1800s. Once a plant like this makes it into the medicinal world, it tends to stay there. People hope to find other uses for the plant and in fact, today, some people use lobelia as part of their asthma treatment plan. They feel it helps to remove phlegm from the upper airways of the lung.Like many of the "natural" treatments seen on the market today, Lobelia was used in the latter 1900s as a nicotine substitute. However, the FDA reported that products containing this plant extract were no more effective in helping people quit smoking than quitting cold turkey. This puts Lobelia in some good company as there are currently several products marketed as natural stop smoking agents that fair no better than it did in the early 1990s.
Researchers are now giving Lobelia another chance. They feel its active ingredient, lobeline, may reduce the amount of dopamine produced in the body, which is the pleasure feeling seen with nicotine addiction. No studies have been conducted thus far, to determine how lobeline affects the production of dopamine, but they feel it may be able to play some kind of a role in its management.
Users of this natural product must exercise care, as the idea that more is better, just isn't true. Lobelia has a potentially toxic side, and can be safely used in small doses only. Once the dosing becomes larger, then you may see a wide range of side-effects that may include something as simple as a dry mouth to seizers and coma. This is why lobelia must be used under the direction of a medical doctor. Unfortunately, these natural substances are usually not prescribed by physicians, but rather available OTC at health marts and nature stores. Lobelia should never be given to children as there are just no studies to tell us what might happen.
Lobelia can be given as a capsule, dry herb for teas or liquid extracts. Lobelia should be avoided if you have liver or kidney disease, seizure disorder, dyspnea (shortness of breath), heart disease or high blood pressure. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take lobelia.
Since nobody really knows how it may interact with many other medications, it should not be taken if you are currently taking nicotine replacement therapy, chantix, zyban or other anti-depressant or anxiety agents. Also, if you are smoking or using the alternative electric cigarettes, you should avoid this herb.
So much like other natural smoking remedies that promise an easy quit to smoking, don't believe the hype. Although there is some future promise from this extract, it still remains unclear as to how it can be best used and under what circumstances will it offer the best results. I'd say you're better off with one of the more traditional front line methods or at least check with your physician to work out a plan that fits your personality, habits and nicotine addiction.
