Parts Most Frequently Used: Leaf, Root, Fruit

Flavors/Temps: Sweet, Neutral, Slightly Bitter

Caution: Many adverse effects limit the use of lobelia. Because of its similarity to nicotine, it may be dangerous to certain populations (children and pregnant women). Excessive use can cause vomiting or nausea. The chemical alkaloid compound, lobeline, may cause dizziness. All parts of the plant are considered poisonous/toxic if eaten in large quantities and can cause exhaustion, dilated pupils, convulsions, and coma. Doses of 0.6 to 1 g of leaf are considered toxic, with 4 g of the leaf considered fatal.

Key Constituents: Lobeline (which can be modified to Lonelane), Lobellicyonycin, Volatile oil, Saponins, Flavones, Polyfructosan, Resin, Chlorophyll, Potassium, Lime, Ferric oxide.

History/Folklore: In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), it is one of the “50 Fundamental Herbs”. It is used successfully to treat end-stage schistosomiasis (infection due to parasites from worms) and end-stage cirrhosis of the liver. It also balances the Circulation of Qi and Blood and is, therefore, good for treating acute heart failure and either high or low blood pressure.

In the West, lobelia is being clinically tested as a treatment for multidrug-resistant tumor cells. Certain species (L. sihilitica, L. Erinus, and L. cardinalis) have been used as a cure for syphilis.

The leaf, used in tea form, is good for treating colds, coughs, and nosebleeds. Traditionally, a common dose for using the leaf as an expectorant would be 100 mg of dry herb up to 3x daily. As a purgative, it helps induce vomiting and thereby eliminates harmful toxins from the body.

In the Victorian language of flowers, lobelia symbolized malevolence and ill will.

Native Americans used it to treat respiratory difficulties, muscle disorders, and as a purgative.

This herb was a mainstay of the system of herbal medicine introduced by Samuel Thomson, a famous self-taught American herbalist from the early 19th century, who has been called the “Father of American Herbalism.”

Lobeline can be modified to lobelane, which is a compound that can decrease methamphetamine self-administration in rats, making it a possible treatment for methamphetamine drug dependency. Some Native American tribes used it to cure tobacco or whiskey addiction. The seeds contain the highest amounts of lobeline, more than any other part of the plant. All parts of the plant are considered toxic and poisonous.

A tincture of the whole plant is said to help treat paralysis of the lungs and tongue.

Native Americans used to smoke the dried leaves, and as Lobeline has a similar chemical makeup to nicotine, the plants are sometimes commonly called “Indian Tobacco.” Smoking lobelia has been used to treat asthma (as smoking the herb is thought to dilate the bronchial tubes, though human data confirming this function is lacking). It is also said that smoking lobelia may treat depression, relieve symptoms of drug withdrawal, induce vomiting, and reduce inflammation.

The Iroquois used the root to treat leg sores, venereal diseases (often combined with cherry bark), and ulcers. It was also used to discourage the presence of gnats. The Crow Tribe used it in religious ceremonies. The plant was so valued that some tribes used it as an article of trade.

Often used as an ornamental plant in the garden as it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.