Lobelia

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Lobelia inflata, puke weed, indian tobacco, eye-bright, asthma weed, pulseweed, bladderpod, gag root, vomit wort, wild tobacco

What is lobelia?

Lobelia is a plant with pale blue flowers that usually grows to 3 feet tall. The leaves and seeds are used medicinally.

What is it used for?

Lobelia has been used on the skin to treat muscle soreness, bruises, sprains, boils, insect bites, poison ivy, and ringworm.

It has also been use to treat asthma, bronchitis, cough, and other breathing problems. Lobelia may be unsafe when taken by mouth. An overdose may be fatal.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

Lobelia may be put on the skin in the form of ointments, lotions, and plasters.

Lobelia comes in the form of liquid extracts, tinctures, and capsules. Follow the directions printed on the product label or given by your healthcare provider.

Use this remedy with caution under the supervision of your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Do not take lobelia if you have:

• heart problems
• high blood pressure
• stomach or intestinal problems such as ulcers, Crohn's disease, or inflammatory bowel disease

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this remedy if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may have different strengths and effects. They may be contaminated.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Severe sweating, convulsions, drowsiness, fast heartbeat, shaking, severe dizziness, collapse, coma.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, cough.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Before taking this remedy, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• lithium (Lithobid)
• nicotine replacement therapy, or if you smoke

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.