free shipping over $100 (USA & Canada)

1-877-937-4372 the pet expert hotline

free shipping over $100 (USA & Canada)

Resp-Aid™ for dogs

Vet-Formulated Remedy for Respiratory Infection in Dogs

USD $52.95
Resp-Aid™ for dogs USD $52.95 Add to Cart

Lobelia For Pets – A Natural Remedy For Respiratory Issues

Herbs For Pets 3 min read
Lobelia inflata plant with small, light purple flowers beginning to bud. How to safely use the health benefits of lobelia for pets

Lobelia (Lobelia inflata) is a herb that Native Americans have traditionally used as a remedy for various health conditions. Lobelia is known to have multiple medicinal properties and is used as a natural support for humans and pets. Before using lobelia for pets, there are some essential things that pet parents should know first.

What Is Lobelia?

Lobelia has benefits for pets but can be dangerous in excess.

There are multiple forms of the lobelia herb, each one with its unique properties and uses. The most common type of lobelia used for medicinal purposes is Lobelia inflata, which is the type we will be addressing throughout this article.

Lobelia is a herb that grows tall with ovate (or egg-shaped) leaves. The stem is covered in tiny hairs, and the plant produces small purple flowers which bloom throughout the middle of summer into the fall. Lobelia grows throughout many areas of North America but is most commonly found in the eastern United States.

History Of Lobelia

Another name for lobelia is Indian tobacco. It gained this name because it has similar properties to the tobacco plant and was used as an alternative to tobacco by Native Americans. Native Americans have used lobelia to induce vomiting as a remedy for worms and internal parasites. This herb has also been used as an expectorant to help relieve respiratory congestion.

Dried aerial parts of lobelia

Medicinal Properties of Lobelia

The aerial parts (leaves, stems, seedpods, and flowers) of the lobelia plant are used for medicinal purposes. Lobelia is known to have respiratory stimulant, antispasmodic, and expectorant properties. Lobeline is the main piperidine alkaloid found in lobelia. Lobeline has been shown to stimulate the respiratory center of the brain to promote healthy breathing. Antispasmodic means that it can help reduce spasms. The antispasmodic properties in lobelia help relax the muscles in the smaller bronchial tubes to help ease breathing. The relaxation of the bronchial muscles is also beneficial for helping to cough up fluid that may be in the respiratory system; this is why lobelia is said to have expectorant properties.

How To Use Lobelia For Pets Safely

Lobelia has many benefits for our furry friend’s health and wellness but can be dangerous if given in excess. In high doses, lobelia can cause vomiting, and in extreme cases, can even be fatal. That’s why we always recommend only using lobelia in products formulated specifically by a veterinarian to be a safe dosage for pets.

Lobelia In NHV Supplements

All NHV products are formulated by a holistic veterinarian and master herbalist with over 50 years of combined experience. The herbs in each blend are formulated at a dosage that is both safe and effective for pets and can be safely doubled for furkiddos that need extra support.

We use lobelia in three of our dietary supplements, Resp-Aid, Hearty-Heart, and Hairb-EZ.

Resp-Aid is our supplement created specifically to help pets with respiratory issues such as asthma and bronchitis. Lobelia is used in this blend to help stimulate the respiratory system and to help relieve respiratory congestion.

Hearty-Heart is our recommended supplement for pets with heart conditions. Coughing is a common symptom of heart conditions like congestive heart failure (CHF) and cardiomyopathy. Lobelia is included in this blend to relieve coughing and promote healthy breathing.

Hairb-EZ is our natural support for hairballs. It contains herbs that help relieve discomfort and bloating that can come with hairballs. Some herbs are also included to help dissolve ingested hairballs and promote healthy digestive function to kitties pass the hairballs. Lobelia is used in Hairb-EZ for its expectorant properties to help cats cough up ingested hair.


If you ever have any questions about herbs, dosage, or which NHV supplements may be beneficial for your pet’s health, our team of Pet Experts is here to help! Our Pet Expert team includes veterinarians, vet techs, pet nutritionists, and more. Start chatting with us now by clicking the button below.

NHV Pet Experts

NHV Pet Experts

We have a dedicated group of pet expert professionals, including veterinarians, vet techs, and other pet professionals to guide you through any questions. We’re committed to your pet’s wellness and can offer additional tips, resources, nutritional advice, and more.

Published: August 5, 2021

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like