What Is Lobelia?

Identification

• Lobelia grows upright to about 3 feet and produces flowers that are a pinkish-violet color. The plant does not flower heavily, and the leaves are usually a pale green or yellowish color. Lobelia has a sharp taste and odor and has a reputation for inducing vomiting.

Uses

• Lobelia has been used by Native Americans as a lung treatment since the 19th century. The lobelia leaves were often smoked to help reduce complications from problems like asthma, bronchitis and whooping cough. Today, lobelia may be used as a liquid extract, ground into a powder, in capsules or in teas. When the leaves or seeds of lobelia are boiled, the plant loses much of its potency, says Gardens Ablaze. If you find the taste particularly unpleasant, add something sweet such as honey or sugar to make it more palatable. It is best to start with small doses to determine what your threshold is for vomiting if you are planning to use the herb on your own.

FDA Ruling

• While the lobelia plant was once used by smokers as a means to quit, in 1993 the Food and Drug Administration decided that the ingredient was not effective in that role. The FDA prohibited the sale of any "quit smoking" products that contained lobelia as an ingredient.

Considerations

• It is recommended that you do not take lobelia if you are pregnant or nursing. The unpredictability of your reaction may cause problems with your pregnancy or your breast milk. Also, if you are on any type of regular medication, it is wise to consult your doctor if you plan to add lobelia to your routine in any of its forms. Touching the leaves or seeds of the plant to your bare skin may cause itching or a rash.