Nicotiana tabacum Tobacco (Solanaceae)

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Nicotiana tabacum
Tobacco
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The Nicotiana tabacum plant species is found in S. America. Naturalized in C. and S. Europe. It is a member of the Solanaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Tobacco.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Nicotiana tabacum
Common Name:  Tobacco
Family:  Solanaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  All parts of the plant are poisonous[4, 19, 65, 76]. They contain a volatile oil called nicotine, this is a virulent poison that produces nausea, vomiting, sweating, palpitations and nausea[232].

Mature Height:  1.2   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Not known in a truly wild situation.

Medicinal Information: Tobacco has a long history of use by medical herbalists as a relaxant, though since it is a highly additive drug it is seldom employed internally or externally at present[4, 254]. The leaves are antispasmodic, discutient, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, irritant, narcotic, sedative and sialagogue[4, 192, 213]. They are used externally in the treatment of rheumatic swelling, skin diseases and scorpion stings[240]. The plant should be used with great caution[4], when taken internally it is an addictive narcotic[222]. The active ingredients can also be absorbed through the skin[4]. Wet tobacco leaves can be applied to stings in order to relieve the pain[213]. They are also a certain cure for painful piles[4]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the dried leaves[232]. It is used in the treatment of nausea and travel sickness[232].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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