Lobelia (Lobelia inflata), commonly known as Indian tobacco, has a long history of traditional use in supporting the respiratory system and the health of mucus membranes. Native American medicine and 19th-century herbalists often employed lobelia as an expectorant, antispasmodic, and respiratory tonic, particularly in cases of asthma, bronchitis, and coughs, where the health of mucus membranes is a key concern. The herb was believed to help clear mucus from the lungs and soothe inflamed tissues.

While there are a few animal and in vitro studies suggesting lobelia alkaloids (notably lobeline) may influence the respiratory tract, robust modern clinical evidence is lacking. Most of the support for lobelia’s action on mucus membranes comes from historical herbal texts and traditional medical practices rather than from rigorous scientific validation. Conventional medicine rarely uses lobelia today, largely due to concerns about its potential toxicity and the absence of well-designed human trials.

In summary, lobelia’s use to support the mucus membranes is justified primarily by traditional rather than scientific evidence, and the strength of evidence is modest, reflecting its historical, not modern, application.