Review Article

Spatula DD. 2012; 2(2):127-134

Traditional Medicinal Usage of Tobacco A Review

Ttnn Geleneksel Tbb Kullanm Bir Derleme
Sandeep Vishnu Binorkar1, Dilip Khemji Jani2
Departments of Agadatantra1 and Dravyaguna2, G. J. Patel Ayurveda College, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, GIDC, Anand-388121, Gujarat, India.
SUMMARY The tobacco plant attracted the attention of several investigations. It accounts for millions of deaths each year from cancer, emphysema and heart disease. Yet, in certain neurologic and psychiatric conditions, nicotine can have useful therapeutic effects. For tribes throughout North America, the use of traditional tobacco plants for spiritual, ceremonial and medicinal purposes goes back thousands of years. Most indigenous nations have traditional stories explaining how tobacco was introduced to their communities, many of which emphasized the sacred properties of the plant, containing both the power to heal if used properly and the power to cause harm if used improperly. This article is written with the intention to review various traditional and folklore medicinal usage of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) all over the world. Key words: Tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum, Ayurveda, traditional, medicinal. ZET Ttn bitkisi birok aratrmann ilgisini zerine ekmitir. Her yl, kanser, amfizem ve kalp hastalklarnda dolay milyonlarca lmden sorumludur. Buna ramen nikotin; belirli nrolojik ve psikiyatrik durumlarda, yararl traptik etkilere sahip olabilmektedir. Kuzey Amerikadaki kabileler iin, manevi, trensel ve tbb amalarla ttn bitkisinin geleneksel kullanm binlerce yl ncesine dayanmaktadr. Birok yerli milletin, uygun kullanldnda iyiletirici, uygun olmayan kullanmnda ise zarar verici gc olan bitkinin kutsal zelliklerini vurgulayan, ttnn toplumlarna nasl tantldn anlatan geleneksel hikyeleri vardr. Bu makale, tm dnyada ttnn geleneksel ve folklorik tbb kullanmn gzden geirmek amacyla yazlmtr. Anahtar kelimler: Ttn, Nicotiana tabacum, Ayurveda, geleneksel, tbb.

Corresponding Author: Sandeep V. Binorkar, Dept. of Agadatantra, G. J. Patel Ayurveda College, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, GIDC, Anand-388121, Gujarat, India. E-mail: dr.sandeepb@gmail.com

Received April 02, 2012; accepted April 23, 2012 DOI 10.5455/spatula.20120423103016 Published online in ScopeMed (www.scopemed.org). Spatula DD. 2012; 2(2):127-134.

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INTRODUCTION There are huge number of herbal medicines described in Ayurvedic and other alternative traditional medicines whose popularity and use in uplifting the general health of common people is still not so efficient because of several reasons. There are so many herbal medicines either individually or in combination which are being used in various medical treatise for the cure of different ailments. Holistic approach of Ayurveda in regard to preventive, promotive and curative measures with due consideration of health and disease is well established. The Materia Medica of India provides a great deal of information on the Ayurveda, folklore practices and traditional aspects of therapeutically important natural products. The knowledge of medicinal plants is scientifically documented and organized in classical texts and various Nighantus. However codified information regarding the plants of folklore origin and few exotic plants introduced by interlopers are not referred in Ayurveda. One among such plants includes Tobacco. The tobacco plant, Nicotiana tabaccum, has probably been responsible for more deaths than any other herb. Present, irrational tobacco use is causing over 3 million deaths a year worldwide, and if current trends continue the annual mortality will exceed 10 million by around 2030 [1, 2]. The history of the medicinal use of tobacco before the Civil War has apparently not been documented. Review of publications on the subject shows that this plant was long used as orthodox medicine by the members of the medical profession. For tribes throughout North America, the use of traditional tobacco plants for spiritual, ceremonial and medicinal purposes goes back thousands of years [3]. Extensive work has been done on the constituents of various types of tobacco. Stedman, in his excellent review of tobacco and tobacco smoke constituents [4, 5], lists a large number of compounds which have been isolated from it. Major chemical constituents identified are nicotine, nornicotine, anabasine, myosmine, anatabine, nitrate, sorbitol [6]. Apart from these, tobacco also constitutes nicotinic acid, nicotelline [7] nicotianine [8] etc. The chemical structure of main constituent, nicotine (Figure 1) [9], nicotinic acid (Figure 2) [10] and nornicotine (Figure 3) [11] are shown below. Aims & Objectives This systematic review was conducted with an objective to search and explore the traditional

medicinal usage of the plant Nicotiana tabacum in different countries.

Figure 1. Nicotine

Figure 2. Nicotinic acid

Figure 3. Nornicotine

Data source All relevant articles from the research journals of ethnomedicine, traditional herbal medicine, Ayurveda & other fields like botany stating the medicinal properties of Nicotiana tabacum were reviewed. Electronic Database search on PubMed and google was also conducted.

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Origin & Distribution The written history of tobacco begins in the year 1492 when Christopher Columbus discovered American Indians treating their ills with leaves of an herb which he had never seen before. After that in 1536, European travelers to the New World carried home a considerable body of medical knowledge concerning the plant, acquired from Native American laymen, medicine men, and physicians in many parts of the Western Hemisphere. This knowledge was quickly spread by word of mouth and by books published and circulated throughout Western Europe. The result was that Western European physicians adopted tobacco as medicine. Natural occurrence of nicotiana is restricted to the American continent, Australia and the South Pacific. The majorities are confined to South America and this, with other geographical evidence suggests a South American origin for this genus. Nicotiana tabacum originated from the borders of Argentina & Bolivia. It has been cultivated in pre Columbian times in the West Indies, Mexico, and Central America. Now it is cultivated crop worldwide [12, 13]. Around 0.25% of Indias cultivated land is used for tobacco production [14]. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and UP together account for over 90% of the total tobacco production in the country [15]. It is also grown in Bihar, Maharastra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Varities of tobacco The genus Tobacco includes more than 70 species with variable biological activities and most of them are indigenous to America [16]. Most are indigenous to America. Nicotiana tabacum, the plant now raised for commercial tobacco production, is probably of South American origin and Nicotiana rustica, the other major species which was carried around the world, came from North America. Both species are found distributed from Florida to New Mexico, to Massachusetts, New York, Southern Ontario and Minnesota. N. tabacum has a uniquely high proportion of alkaloids occurring as nicotine and is considered to have survived as a species by man's protection [16]. Apart from this there are other varieties cultivated commonly like N. affinis; N. rustica; N. Sanderae; N. alata grandiflora; N. acuminata; N. Bigelovii (Indian Tobacco); N. longiflora; N. noctiflora; N. suaveolens; N. sylvestris; N. Tabacum; N. wigandioides etc. [17]. In 1559, tobacco is called nicotiana in honour of Jean Nicot, who finds medical uses for tobacco. Tobacco cultivation has a history of about 8000

years. Portuguese traders introduced tobacco in India around during 1600. Tobaccos medicinal as well as intoxicating properties facilitated its easy assimilation into cultural and rituals of many societies [13].

Picture 1. Nicotiana tabacum

Picture 2. Nicotiana rustica

Traditional Medicinal Usage Argentina Leaves are smoked by adults during healing rituals [18]. If baby suffers stomach problems, then aromatic herbs together with black wool, tobacco and "chuspa e cacu" (the nest of Cacicus chrysopterus; Icteridae, Aves) should be fumigated around his craddle and his anus [19]. Tobacco is used to treat distemper in veterinary with milk and cooking oil

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[20]. Lemon, onion and milled tobacco with white soap in warm water is used to treat scabies in animals [20]. It is applied in snake bites with milk and oil, or fried in oil and Tanacetum parthenium [19]. Brazil Dried leaves are used as an insecticide [20]. The Tukanoan peoples of the Vaupes rub a decoction of the leaves over sprains & bruises. The leaf juice is taken orally to induce vomiting & narcosis [20, 21]. Pedro Alvarez Cabral in Brazil reported using the herb for ulcerated abscesses, fistulas, sores, inveterate polyps and many other ailments [22, 23]. China The traditional (Lop Nor region) use of Apocynum venetum with tobacco as an agent to detoxify nicotine [23]. Colombia Poultice prepared from Fresh leaves is used over boils & infected wounds. Crushed leaves with oil from palms used to prevent baldness [24, 21]. Cuba Extract of the leaf is taken orally to treat dysmenorrhea [25, 21]. East Africa Dried leaves of Nicotiana tabacum ans Securinega virosa are mixed in a paste & used externally to destroy worms in sores [26, 21]. Ecuador Leaf juice is used for indisposition, chills, and snake bite & in the treatment of pulmonary ailments [24, 21]. Egypt Dried leaves and flowers are smoked to relieve asthama and influenza. Leaves are used as a poultice with oil in rheumatic pain [26]. Fiji Fresh root is taken orally for Asthama & indigestion. Fresh root juice is applied opthamically as a drop for bloodshot eyes. Seeds are taken orally for rheumatism and to treat hoarseness [27, 21]. Guatemala Leaves are applied externally for myasis, headache and wounds [28]. Hot water extract of dried leaf are applied externally for ringworms [29], wounds, ulcers, bruises sores & stomatitis [30]. The leaf is taken orally for kidney diseases [31, 21]. A mixture of leaf with menthol is applied externally in children for cough [32]. Haiti Decoction of dried leaf is taken orally for bronchitis & pneumonia [33, 21]. India Juice of Securinega leucopyrus is mixed with the dried leaf of tobacco and applied externally for

parasites [34]. Fresh leaf is mixed with corncob or Amorphophallaus paenoifolium to treat asthma [35, 21]. Powdered tobacco, or masheri, is rubbed on the teeth for this purpose and tobacco toothpaste is marketed commercially [36]. The leaves of the tobacco plant have been used in traditional Indian medicine as a sedative, antispasmodic, and vermifuge. They are also considered antiseptic, emetic and narcotic. A decoction of leaves is applied locally for muscle relaxation associated with joint dislocation. It is also used to relieve pain and swelling associated with rheumatic conditions. Tobacco is also utilized traditionally to treat strangulated hernia, orchitis, and skin diseases. The tribal inhabitants of Surguna district of Madhya Pradesh state apply warmed leaves on testis to treat hydrocele. Even the oil extracted from the leaves is used in the treatment of arthralgia, gout and lumbago [37]. Iran Ointments made from crushed leaves are used for baldness, dermatitis, infectious ulcers & Pediculicide [21]. Juice is applied externally as an insect repellent [38]. Leaf is added to betel quid and used as a mild stimulant [39]. Kenya Water extracts are applied opthalmically for corneal opacities and conjunctivitis [40]. Malaysia Infusion of the dried leaf is taken orally as a sedative [41]. Mexico Extract of the plant massaged on the abdomen with saliva is used to facilitate expulsion of placenta [42]. Exudates from stem and leaf are used in cases of gum inflammation [43]. It is also used as an antidiarrheal, narcotic and emollient; he said that tobacco leaves were applied for the relief of pain, used in powdered form for the relief of catarrh and applied locally to heal wounds and burns [21]. Nepal Leaf juice is applied externally to treat scabies [44]. Nicaragua Leaves are chewed for tooth ache [45]. It is also applied externally for pain, stings & skin rashes [46]. Nigeria Hot water extract of the fresh leaf is taken orally as a sedative [47]. The sundried leaves are ground to smooth powder and used as a snuff or put on the tongue as a stimulant [48]. For the treatment of convulsions, leaves are crushed and juice is collected which is used as a bath in water [48].

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Papua New Guinea Dried plant mixed with the bark of Gaibulima belgraveana & Zingiber officinale is taken orally for head lice [49]. Tender leaf is chewed to relieve stomachache. Decoction of tender leaf is taken orally to treat gonorrhea [50]. Paraguay Extract of the plant is administered orally to cows as an insecticide and insect repellent [51]. Dried resin accumulated in stem of a smoking pipe is applied externally against botfly larvae & severe pediculosis [52]. Peru Decoction of the leaf with beverage is taken orally for hallucinating effect during shamanic training [53]. Hot water extract of dried flower & leaf are used externally for snake & spider bite [54]. A curing ceremony normally involves purification of the patient by orally spraying blessed and enchanted herbal extracts on the whole body to fend off evil spirits and by nasal ingestion of tobacco juice and perfumes [55]. The Witotos & Boras used the fresh leaves as poultice over boils & infected wounds. The Tikiana men mixed the crushed leaves with oils from palms as a hair dressing to prevent hair loss. The Jivaros use the tobacco juice for indisposition, cold chills, and snake bite and to treat pulmonary ailments [56]. Sierra Leone Leaf is chewed and rubbed on area to dress umbilical stump [21]. Spain Spanish missionaries recorded that breathing the odor of the fresh green leaves of the plant relieved persistent headaches, and that rubbing the leaves around the inside of the mouth relieved symptoms of colds and catarrh. Crushed, steamed tobacco leaves mixed with salt were used to treat swollen glands, by applying them directly over the affected area [57, 21]. Tanzania Leaves are placed in the vagina to stimulate labour [58, 21]. Turkey Powdered leaf is applied externally for wounds [59]. United States Extract of the plant is taken orally to treat tiredness, ward off diseases, & quiet fear [60, 21]. Tobacco, probably mixed with lime or chalk, appears to have been used in these Native American populations as toothpaste to whiten the teeth, as observed by Nino and Guerra in 1500 and by Vespucci at about the same time in Venezuela [61].

Tobacco in Ayurveda The Plant Tobacco was not included in Ayurveda in the classics of Vedic and Samhita period. It was included by the sages of later era during medieval period after evaluating the medicinal properties of this plant. The first references of tobacco are found in certain Nighantus of 19th Century. In Ayurveda texts Tobacco is referred as Tamakhu, Ksharapatra, Krimighni, Dhumrapatrika [62], Vajrabhringi [63], Bahubeeja, Bahuphala, Sukshmabeeja, Deerghaka [64]. The Ayurvedic pharmacology indicates that it is Ushna (hot), Tikshna (Sharp), Sara (stimulates peristaltic movements) and increases Pitta (Digestive fire / Bile juice/ enzymatic metabolisms). It is a drug of choice in Bastivishodhana (Urinary track disorders and diseases related with urinary bladder). It is bitter and pungent in taste. In proper dosing it can be used in Kapha (cough), Shwasha (Asthma), Kandu (itching), Krimi (anti-helminthes). It is very good as analgesic and utilized in Dantaruja (dental pain), Shukraruja (pain related with genital organ) and Drishtiruja (pain related with eye). It can control dandruff and hair infections. It can dwindle the poison of scorpion bite and related swelling [64]. The clever administration of the drug effective in Gulma (abdominal discomfort) and Pinasa (chronic rhinitis) [64]. The adverse effect or overdosing effect are also noted like Madakrit (narcotic), Bhramaka (Induces vertigo), Drishtimandyakara (diminishes the vision) and Vamaka (Emetic). Miscellaneous Medicinally it is used as a sedative, diuretic, expectorant and internally only as an emetic, when all other emetics fail. The sedative effect is produced by the main active component of tobacco nicotine, where as decoction of dried leaf can act as strong diuretic. Further studies may require for isolating the chemical component responsible for these actions especially expectorant, emetic and diuretic. The smoke injected into the rectum or the leaf rolled into a suppository has been beneficial in strangulated hernia, also for obstinate constipation, due to spasm of the bowels. It is also helpful in cases of retention of urine, spasmodic urethral stricture, hysterical convulsions and worms. Tobacco relieves spasms caused by lead, inflammation of the peritoneum, moderating reaction and dispelling tympanitis, and also in tetanus. Leaves may be used as an ointment for cutaneous diseases. The leaves in combination with the leaves of belladonna or stramonium make an excellent application for obstinate ulcers, painful tremors and spasmodic affections. A wet Tobacco leaf applied to piles is a certain cure. The juice cures

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facial neuralgia if rubbed along the tracks of the affected nerve [21].

DISCUSSION India has an ancient heritage of traditional medicine. The materia medica of India provides a great deal of information on the Ayurveda, folklore practices and traditional aspects of therapeutically important natural products. Even though Tobacco has long been removed from pharmacopoeias and from medical practice historically, tobacco has been an essential element in the ceremonial aspects of many American Indian communities and has taken on many sacred roles throughout the culture. Culturally, tobacco was, and is, a sacred plant used for spiritual, emotional, mental and physical guidance. Probably no other plant is used as much for so little to be known about it as is the tobacco plant. While everyone is familiar with the smoking and chewing products derived from this plant, few people realize its many other uses. It has medicinal values, makes an extremely valuable ornamental plant and flower garden specimen and is used to make one of nature's finest biodegradable, all natural pesticides. As the use of the various alternative tobacco products is unequally and widely dispersed over the world in very different regional contexts, locally adapted regulation measures are needed. With the emerging worldwide interest in adopting and studying traditional systems and exploiting their potential based on different health care systems, the evaluation of the rich heritage of traditional medicine is essential. Many Ayurveda philosophers and healers praised about the properties of this plant and utilized in various disorders. The knowledge and practice of herbal medicine is considered to be divine and associated with supernatural powers in various parts of the world and hence some of the preparations and treatments are followed by rituals and customs with chanting of prayer. Although tobacco is still used traditionally in its historic manner by many tribes and by many native people, the continued abuse of the commercial tobacco is much more frequent and has taken its toll on the native peoples health. Lethal doses of nicotine may be estimated in 0.5 mg to 1 mg/kg body weight (about 40 to 60 mg). Two to four drops pure nicotine can prove lethal each drop: 23-33 mg). [65] In children the lethal dose is considered to be about 10 mg of nicotine (Arena, 1974) [65], and animal

studies shows that LD50 dosages in dog-1 mg/kg, horse-200 to 300 mg, rat- 1 mg/kg. (RTECS, 1986) [65]. Poisoning has been reported from percutaneous absorption in tobacco harvesters, during manufacture and the workers in the tobacco industry. The drug, Nicotiana is also capable of producing dependency in chronic users. Thats why there is an incredible amount of difficulty in explaining how this sacred and powerful gift has been shape-shifted and became the cause of such deadly consequences. One must keep in mind regarding the dosage of administration particularly if its being used orally and secondly, the duration of such oral administration should be supervised to avoid dependency and abusive usage of the tobacco when it is intended for medicinal purpose. The health risks of preparations and forms of tobacco for medicinal purpose need further evaluation.

CONCLUSION Tobacco is a plant with an extraordinary history of use. It commenced with a history of sacred worship in the Native American Pipe ritual, when smoking tobacco would support and clear the mind as the smoke was believed to carry one's prayers to the Great Spirit. In addition, it had a wide variety of uses for physical complaints, such as venomous bites and stings, internal and external parasites, and the symptomatic relief of pain, which justifies its wide use and appreciation by traditional practitioners all over the world. As we release our addiction to, and dependence on smoking tobacco, one should not forget its many practical folklore traditional medicinal uses. It is understood that if used in positive ways it had the power to heal and protect; but if abused, it also had the power to harm.

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