Nicotiana tabacum
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Nicotiana tabacum Common Names: Tobacco, Cultivated Tobacco, Common
Tobacco Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Order: Solanales Family: Solanaceae Genus: Nicotiana Species: N. tabacum Authority: L. Synonyms: Nicotiana chinensis Fisch. ex Lehm., Nicotiana pilosa Dunal, Nicotiana latissima Mill. Morphological Description Nicotiana tabacum is an annual herbaceous plant in the Solanaceae family,
typically growing 1–2.5 m tall, with sticky, glandular hairs covering its
parts: · Stem: Stout, erect, 30–60 cm in diameter, unbranched or sparingly
branched, viscid (Burkill, 2000). · Leaves: Large, simple, ovate-lanceolate, 20–50 cm long, 10–25 cm
wide, sessile or shortly petiolate, sticky (Fern, 2024). · Flowers: Tubular, 3–5 cm long, pink, red, yellow, or greenish, borne
in terminal racemes or panicles (Barwick, 2004). · Fruit: Ovoid capsules, 1.5–2 cm long, brown, splitting to release
numerous tiny seeds (Burkill, 2000). Distribution and Habitat Nicotiana tabacum is a cultivated species with origins in the tropical
Americas: · Range: Native to South America, Mexico, and the West Indies; now
cultivated globally in countries like China, India, Brazil, and the USA (Fern,
2024). · Habitat: Thrives in warm climates (20–30°C), well-drained, fertile
soils with pH 5.5–6.5, rainfall 1,000–1,500 mm/year, often in agricultural
fields (Burkill, 2000). Ethnopharmacology Nicotiana tabacum has a rich history in traditional medicine, containing
nicotine, flavonoids, and cembranoid diterpenes (Zhang et al., 2024): It possesses medicinal properties despite its
health risks, primarily due to nicotine, alkaloids, and flavonoids. It has
analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, traditionally used for pain relief,
joint swelling, and respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis. The
plant exhibits antimicrobial and antiparasitic properties, helping treat
wounds, skin infections, and lice infestations. Nicotine acts as a natural
insecticide and has been explored for cognitive benefits, including improving
memory and reducing neurodegenerative disease symptoms. Tobacco poultices have
been applied for wound healing, snake bites, and insect stings, while its
mood-enhancing effects have been linked to stress reduction. However, its
highly addictive nature and severe long-term health risks, including lung
disease and cancer, limit its medical use. · Stimulant: Leaves smoked or chewed in Mesoamerica for fatigue relief.
Nicotine binds nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, enhancing alertness
(Sanchez-Ramos, 2020). · Insecticide: Leaf infusions in Nigeria repel pests. Schorderet Weber et
al. (2019) confirmed antiparasitic activity against nematodes. · Analgesic: Leaf poultices in Mexico treat toothache and arthritis.
Groark (2010) notes Tzeltal Maya use for pain relief. · Respiratory Aid: Leaf decoctions in Ecuador for asthma.
Burkill (2000) documents expectorant use in traditional remedies. · Wound Healing: Fresh leaves in Guatemala applied to sores. Berlowitz et al.
(2020) report antimicrobial effects in Amazonian medicine. · Antidiabetic: Leaf extracts in Zimbabwe for glucose control. Okagu et al.
(2024) found extracts reduced blood glucose in diabetic rats by 30%. ⚠ Toxicity Profile: Nicotine (0.5–9% in leaves) causes acute
toxicity: nausea, tachycardia, and seizures at 1–4 mg/kg; lethal at 60 mg in
adults. Chronic use linked to cancer and cardiovascular disease. Heavy metal
uptake (e.g., cadmium) from soil increases risks (Dewey & Xie, 2013). Additional Uses · Commercial: Primary source of tobacco for cigarettes, cigars, and
chewing products (Fern, 2024). · Cultural: Sacred in Mayan rituals; used in offerings and shamanic
practices (Groark, 2010). · Agricultural: Leaf extracts as biopesticides; roots for soil enrichment
(Barwick, 2004). References
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