Lobelia

Related Terms

Alpha-lobeline, asthma weed, beta-amyrin palmitate, bladderpod, Campanulaceae (family), cardinal flower, DIPSTOPTM, gagroot, Indian tobacco, L. cardinalis, Lobelia cardinalis, Lobelia chinensis Lour., Lobelia dortmanna spp., Lobelia erinus, Lobelia giberroa, Lobelia inflata spp., Lobelia laxiflora L., Lobelia nicotinifolia, Lobelia polyphylla, Lobelia portoricensis Urban, Lobelia radicans Thumb., Lobelia sessilifolia, Lobelia siphilitica spp., Lobelia spicata, Lobelia suavibracteata, Lobelia tupa, Lobelia urens L., lobeline, lobeline sulphate, Lobelioideae, lophilacrin, lophilin, lurenine, moradilla, norlobelanidine, pukeweed, radicamine A, radicamine B, syphilobin, tupa, vomitwort.

Background

Lobelia, also known as Indian tobacco, is a genus in the plant family Campanulaceae. Lobeline, a chemical in lobelia, has been used to induce emesis (vomiting) and improve lung conditions like asthma and bronchitis. Lobelia has been nicknamed "pukeweed" for its vomit-inducing effects.
According to some research, lobeline has similar effects to nicotine, and it has been added to smoking cessation aids. It is unclear whether lobeline is effective for this use.
All parts of the lobelia plant are potentially toxic. Eating lobelia has caused death in cattle and horses. It is not listed on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list, due to possible adverse effects, including respiratory stimulation (increased breathing), low blood pressure, and even death.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Early studies investigated the use of lobeline for smoking cessation. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Early studies investigated the use of lobeline for smoking cessation. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Lobelia has been taken by mouth as a dried herb infusion, decoction, liquid extract, lozenge, and tincture, and as lobeline.
For smoking cessation, five milligrams of lobeline, a constituent of lobelia, has been taken by mouth twice daily; 0.5 milligram lozenges may also be used.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Lobelia may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in patients taking drugs, herbs or supplements that lower blood pressure.
Lobelia may cause drowsiness. Caution is advised when using lobelia in combination with drugs that work on the central nervous system, including CNS depressants, and those that cause sedation. Examples of these drugs include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan?) and diazepam (Valium?), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants (such as mianserin and imipramine), and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Lobelia may also interact with antiasthma drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, diuretics, or nicotine.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Davison GC, Rosen RC. Lobeline and reduction of cigarette smoking. Psychol Rep 1972;31(2):443-456.
Dwoskin LP, Crooks PA. A novel mechanism of action and potential use for lobeline as a treatment for psychostimulant abuse. Biochem Pharmacol 2002;63(2):89-98.
Grewal RS, Lufc, Allmark MG. The release of posterior pituitary hormone in the rat by nicotine and lobeline. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1962;135:84-88.
Ikeda K, Takahashi M, Nishida M, et al. Homonojirimycin analogues and their glucosides from and spp. (Campanulaceae). Carbohydr Res 2000;323(1-4):73-80.
Mazur LJ, De Ybarrondo L, Miller J, et al. Use of alternative and complementary therapies for pediatric asthma. Tex Med 2001;97(6):64-68.
McChargue DE, Collins FL, Jr., Cohen LM. Effect of non-nicotinic moist snuff replacement and lobeline on withdrawal symptoms during 48-h smokeless tobacco deprivation. Nicotine Tob Res 2002;4(2):195-200.
Miller DK, Crooks PA, Dwoskin LP. Lobeline inhibits nicotine-evoked [(3)H]dopamine overflow from rat striatal slices and nicotine-evoked (86)Rb(+) efflux from thalamic synaptosomes. Neuropharmacology 2000;39(13):2654-2662.
Plakun AL, Ambrus J, Bross I, et al. Clinical factors in smoking withdrawal: preliminary report. Am J Public Health Nations Health 1966;56(3):434-441.
Stead LF, Hughes JR. Lobeline for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(2):CD000124.
Subarnas A, Oshima Y, Sidik, et al. An antidepressant principle of L. (Campanulaceae). J Pharm.Sci. 1992;81(7):620-621.
Subarnas A, Tadano T, Nakahata N, et al. A possible mechanism of antidepressant activity of beta-amyrin palmitate isolated from leaves in the forced swimming test. Life Sci 1993;52(3):289-296.
Subarnas A, Tadano T, Oshima Y, et al. Pharmacological properties of beta-amyrin palmitate, a novel centrally acting compound, isolated from leaves. J Pharm Pharmacol 1993;45(6):545-550.
Teng L, Crooks PA, Dwoskin LP. Lobeline displaces [3H]dihydrotetrabenazine binding and releases [3H]dopamine from rat striatal synaptic vesicles: comparison with d-amphetamine. J Neurochem 1998;71(1):258-265.
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