Herb
Lobelia
A relaxant herb traditionally used in poultices and to support efforts to quit smoking.
🛑 RemedyRank warns against this
Called puke weed for a reason. The line between a dose and a poisoning is narrow, and overdose stops breathing.
This page exists so the reasons are written down plainly, not because the practice is recommended. Nothing is sold here. If a doctor has prescribed something for a diagnosed condition, follow their guidance — that is a decision between you and them, and it is a different thing from trying this at home.
⤢📊 How it ranks (our editor score) — 45/100Tap to see the breakdown
👶 Safe for children?
This remedy carries age-related cautions. Please read them before giving it to a child, and check with your pediatrician or pharmacist first.
- Consult a doctor before use if you have heart disease; not for children
🌱 What it is
Lobelia is a potent relaxant herb historically used externally in poultices and, in small amounts, to help ease tobacco cravings.
📜 Where it comes from
Lobelia was used by various Native American nations before European settlers learned of it, and it became central to the nineteenth-century Thomsonian herbal movement in America, where Samuel Thomson promoted it heavily for respiratory and digestive complaints, including as the famous emetic herb. Herbalists also found that small amounts of lobelia seemed to ease tobacco cravings, leading to its traditional use in smoking-cessation blends. Its potency has always required cautious, measured use in both poultice and internal forms.
🥄 How to use it
Combine with drawing herbs in a poulticeMashed plant material applied right on the skin. How to make a poultice → for skin conditions, or use lobelia externally in a poultice only -- taking it internally is not recommended because of its toxicity, and any smoking-cessation use belongs under a practitionerutine, under guidance.
How much: Small amounts as a temporary aid only, such as a few sips of weak teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea →; not for daily long-term internal use.
Why it works: Lobelia contains compounds that produce a relaxing effect and, structurally, mimic nicotine slightly, which is why it has traditionally been used to ease withdrawal cravings.
⚠️ Cautions
- Lobelia is potent and can cause nausea or vomiting in larger amounts — use only small doses for a limited time
- Not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding
📚 Learn more
🌿 Deeper natural detail
🩺 The conventional view
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📚 Resource confidence
Based on mentions in health references
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