Lobelia Herb

Lobelia, or Indian tobacco, as it was formerly called, contains a potentially toxic alkaloid called lobeline that has a similar nerve-suppressing effect on the spinal cord as nicotine in tobacco. For this reason, the herb is often used in herbal stop-smoking formulas.

Lobelia is also a famous remedy for asthma, helping to relax the bronchial airways. Taking too much lobelia, however, can lead to nausea and vomiting, says Christopher Hobbs in his book Herbal Remedies for Dummies.