Lobelia is a tall, reed-like plant that grows throughout North America.
Also known as Indian tobacco, lobelia consists of a long, thin stem with green, shovel-shaped leaves and green bulbs with white or purplish flowers. Although some practitioners use lobelia seeds and roots in their formulas, the leaves are used primarily. At the start of the 20 th century, many herbal practitioners considered lobelia one of the most important medicinal plants. Most of lobelia's medicinal properties come from an alkaloid substance called lobeline. Several studies have been conducted using lobeline to help people stop smoking, but these studies have produced decidedly mixed results.