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Tobacco

Compilation by Armando Gonzalez Stuart, PhD

Scientific Name:

Nicotiana tabacum

Botanical Family:

Solanaceae (Nightshade family)

Other Common Name:

Indian tobacco.

  • There are various species of tobacco, which contain varying amounts of nicotine, one of the plants’ main ingredients.  

Common Names in Spanish:

Tabaco.

Parts of the plant used:

Leaves

Where is it found?

  • The tobacco plant is native to South America. It is currently grown in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world.

How is it used?

  • In the American continent, tobacco leaves have been smoked or applied to the body for medical, magical, religious, and recreational activities for approximately 8,000 years.
  • The Mayan peoples of Mexico and parts of Central America inhaled tobacco smoke more than 2,000 years ago.

Nicotiana rustica
Photo: William Rafti / Rafti Institute/Wikipedia
Nicotiana rustica

 

What is it used for?

  • The tobacco plant has been an important part of magical and religious rituals by Native American peoples for many centuries before the arrival of the Europeans.
  • Products made from the leaves were applied externally as poultices for boils or skin infections and sores, as well as for bruises and sprains.
  • Teas made from tobacco leaves were used against intestinal worms, as a laxative, to induce vomiting (emetic), as an expectorant, for fainting and dizziness, as well as for headaches.
  • Tobacco leaves are applied to cuts as an antiseptic and to stop bleeding.
  • Ground tobacco leaves were also used as “snuff” (inhaled through the nose) for medicinal and ritualistic purposes.
  • Tobacco smoked is sometimes blown into the ear to treat earaches.

 

Safety / Precautions

Safety/Precautions:

  • Although tobacco has been part of ceremonial and healing practices for many centuries by various indigenous peoples, its “recreational” or habitual use poses serious risks for health
  • The main addictive substance contained in tobacco is a substance known as nicotine
  •  Nicotine is a highly poisonous substance that is also used as an insecticide
  • Smoking tobacco is associated with various serious health problems including emphysema, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease, among many others
  • Chewing tobacco is associated with cancer of the mouth, esophagus, throat, tongue, larynx, and pharynx
  • Tobacco should not be used in any form during pregnancy and lactation

Before you decide to take any medicinal herb or herbal supplement, be sure to consult with your health care professional first. Avoid self-diagnosis and self-medication: Always be on the safe side!

 

References:

Byron MJ, Baig SA, Moracco KE, Brewer NT. Adolescents' and adults' perceptions of 'natural', 'organic' and 'additive-free' cigarettes, and the required disclaimers. Tob Control. 2015 Dec 1. pii: tobaccocontrol-2015-052560. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2015-052560. [Epub ahead of print]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tobacco Use. http://www.cdc.gov/WinnableBattles/Tobacco/index.html. Retrieved December 16, 2015.

Doll R, Peto R, Boreham J, Sutherland I. Mortality in relation to smoking: 50 years’ observations on male British doctors. BMJ 2004; 328: 1519–28.

Foster S., Johnson R. Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine.
Washington, D.C.: National Geographic; 2004; pp. 358-359.

Nutt D, King LA, Saulsbury W, Blakemore C. Development of a rational scale to assess the harm of drugs of potential misuse. Lancet. 2007; 369(9566):1047-53.

Ott J. Pharmacotheon 2nd ed.
Kennewick, WA: Natural Products Press; 1996; pp. 373-376.

Stenersen J. Chemical Pesticides: Mode of Action and Toxicology.
Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2004; pp. 4, 16.

Swerdlow J. Nature’s Medicine, Plants that Heal.
Washington, D.C.: National Geographic; 2000; pp. 118-122, 371.