Lobelia

How does Lobelia work?

Lobelia contains chemicals which might thin mucus (phlegm) to make it easier to cough up (expectorate) and help breathing, especially in people with asthma. One chemical in lobelia has actions similar to nicotine.

Are there safety concerns?

Lobelia is considered unsafe for most people when taken by mouth. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, dizziness, tremors, and more serious effects. Overdose may cause many serious toxic effects including sweating, convulsions, fast heartbeat, very low blood pressure, collapse, coma, and possibly death.

Do not take lobelia if:

• You are pregnant or breast-feeding.
• You have heart problems.
• You have stomach or intestinal problems including ulcers, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, infections, and others.