Tobacco
Nicotiana tabacum
Synonyms: Tabacum ovatofolium, Tabacum latissimum, Nicotiana tabacum f. attenuata, Nicotiana alipes, Nicotiana tabacum var. decimalis, Nicotiana tabacum var. cordata, Nicotiana havanensis, Nicotiana repanda, Nicotiana tabacum var. lingua, Nicotiana latissima, Nicotiana tabacum var. serotina, Nicotiana fruticosa var. albiflora, Nicotiana tabacum var. pycnophylla, Nicotiana angustifolia, Nicotiana tabacum var. brasiliensis, Nicotiana tabacum var. lancifolia, Nicotiana petiolaris, Nicotiana tabacum var. loxensis, Nicotiana tabacum var. virginica, Nicotiana tabacum var. dinophylla, Nicotiana pallescens, Nicotiana tabacum var. chinensis, Nicotiana attenuata, Nicotiana guatemalensis, Nicotiana tabacum var. alipes, Nicotiana tabaca, Nicotiana tabacum var. angustifolia, Nicotiana lingua, Nicotiana tabacum var. lanceolata, Nicotiana ybarrensis, Nicotiana tabacum var. bullosa, Nicotiana tabacum var. macrophylla, Nicotiana gigantea, Nicotiana tabacum var. latissima, Tabacum nicotianum, Nicotiana sellowii, Nicotiana virginica, Nicotiana lehmannii, Nicotiana marylandica, Nicotiana alba, Nicotiana caudata, Nicotiana chinensis, Nicotiana tabacum var. suffruticosa, Nicotiana tabacum var. fruticosa, Nicotiana nepalensis, Nicotiana serotina, Nicotiana tabacum var. verdon, Nicotiana crispula, Nicotiana sanguinea, Nicotiana lancifolia, Nicotiana florida, Nicotiana mexicana, Nicotiana gracilipes, Nicotiana tabacum var. gigantea, Nicotiana tabacum var. gracilipes, Nicotiana macrophylla, Nicotiana tabacum var. graeca, Nicotiana verdon, Nicotiana tabacum var. goyanum, Nicotiana auriculata, Nicotiana petiolata, Nicotiana mexicana var. rubriflora, Nicotiana tabacum var. undulata, Nicotiana tabacum var. amesfortensis, Nicotiana frutescens, Nicotiana tabacum var. alata, Nicotiana tabacum f. fruticosa, Nicotiana pilosa, Nicotiana capensis, Nicotiana tabacum var. latior, Nicotiana tabacum var. nervosa, Nicotiana tabacum var. attenuata, Nicotiana tabacum var. pallescens, Nicotiana loxensis, Nicotiana fruticosa var. angustifolia, Nicotiana doniana, Nicotiana fruticosa
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Nicotiana tabacum is a stout annual or short-lived perennial herb of the nightshade family typically grown as an annual, reaching 1-3 m in height. The plant has a deep taproot and a thick, erect, sparsely branched, glandular-pubescent stem. Leaves are alternate, large, ovate to elliptic-lanceolate, 30-50 cm long, sessile and slightly decurrent on the stem, with entire to weakly undulate margins; both surfaces are softly hairy and sticky-glandular and emit a characteristic acrid odour when bruised. Inflorescences are large terminal panicles of trumpet-shaped flowers 4-6 cm long with five fused petals, the limb pink to rose with a paler greenish-yellow basal tube, and prominent stamens of unequal length. Fruits are ovoid capsules 1.5-2 cm long enclosed in the persistent calyx and containing many minute brown seeds. A New World cultigen unknown in the wild, the species flowers in summer and is cultivated worldwide.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
Tobacco was one of the most important sacred and medicinal plants of Indigenous North America. The Cherokee used the leaves extensively, smoking them ceremonially and applying them topically as a dermatological aid, toothache remedy, ear medicine, hemostat, snake-bite remedy, and as treatments for analgesia, anticonvulsive action, expectoration, and rheumatic pain (Hamel and Chiltoskey, 1975). Hawaiian, Hesquiat, Haisla, Micmac, Papago, Pima, Rappahannock, Shinnecock, Thompson, Iroquois, Mohegan, Montauk, and Navajo practitioners likewise employed tobacco as smoke plant, snuff, ceremonial offering, and as topical preparations for toothache, ear pain, skin conditions, vertigo, kidney complaints, tuberculosis, and convulsions (Speck, 1917; Densmore, 1932; Turner and Efrat, 1982; Tantaquidgeon, 1972).
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.