Lobelia

This product is a liquid extract of lobelia. Lobelia grows throughout North America, and the leaves are primarily used in herbal medicine.

Eclectic physicians, early North American doctors who used herbs as their primary medicine, considered lobelia to be one of the most valuable medicinal plants. It was used for cough and lung spasms from various causes, as well as spasms elsewhere in the body, including the intestines and ureters. Lobelia was also considered a useful pain reliever and, in higher amounts, was used to induce vomiting in people who had been poisoned.

The alkaloid lobeline is responsible for most of lobelia’s actions. Lobeline has been used as a traditional herbal approach to help people stop smoking. Results of human trials using lobelia for smoking cessation have been mixed and generally disappointing.

Early research suggests lobelia may support healthy lung function by helping relax the airways and loosen mucus, making it easier for the body to clear mucus through coughing.