The Truth about the Nicotiana (Tobacco) Plant Revealed
Tobacco(Nicotiana):
In terms of misnomers in the plant world, perhaps no other plant has been more misunderstood than tobacco. The use of tobacco has been a traditional staple in Native American tribes, some say, dating back as far as 1,000 B.C. The focus of it’s use and cultivation was some-what varied such as a readily accepted form of trade, but more often used in ceremonial circles such as to seal an agreement or covenant as well as to offer prayers in a ritualistic setting. Tobacco was thought to be a sacred gift by the creator, and that the exhaled smoke helps to deliver ones thoughts and prayers to the heavens. On October 15, 1492 Christopher Columbus documented that dried leaves(tobacco) were carried by a man in a canoe near the island of Ferdinandina because they were esteemed for their healthfulness. It was also observed by two of Columbus’s crew that people in what we know as Cuba were carrying a burning torch that contained tobacco, the purpose of this appears from later accounts as a disinfecting agent as well as to ward of disease and chronic fatigue. Tobacco has long been used in the America’s as an entheogen(Psychoactive-Plant) until the arrival of Europeans where it, almost immediately, became a form of trade and popularized drug.
According to the JRSM(Journal of the royal society of medicine) there are over sixty species of Nicotiana, most being indigenous to the America’s, with some exceptions. Nicotiana tabacum is the variety currently raised for commercial tobacco production which is said to be of North American origin. Nicotiana rustica, also known in South America as Mapacho, is the original variety of the Solanaceae family and contains a higher volume of nicotine than it’s North American counter-part. Nicotiana rustica has a nicotine content as high as 9% where as Nicotiana tabacum leaves are about 1-3% content. The higher concentration of nicotine seems to make it useful as an organic pesticide for repelling invasive organisms, not only from itself, but from other plants or gardens that desire protection. Growing tobacco in your garden is a sure fire way to shield off your plants from opportunistic-organisms. This is why chemical pesticides, fungicides, and insecticides were created, out of 1 part greed, and 1 part ignorance.
In Vietnam, the use of tobacco(Nicotiana rustica) is called Thuoc lao and is commonly smoked from a bamboo pipe(dieu cay) or a ceramic hookah(dieu bat). This was consumed as a post-meal digestive aid, as well as partnered up with a preferred beverage such as tea or beer.
One of the reasons for it’s use in shamanic circles appears to be because of it’s MOAI modulating activity. The active alkaloids known as Beta-Carboline(also known as norharmane) are present in tobacco, as well as numerous ceremonial plants, specifically the hallucinogenic plant ayahuasca. These compounds seem to delay the rapid breakdown of dimethyltryptamine(DMT) by inhibiting monoamine oxidase, thus making it a more potent experience, the indigenous people consider this to be a powerful spirit medicine. Tobacco smoking was used post-ceremony to prolong the effects of the medicine and ground one’s experience.
The demonization of tobacco is completely due to the manner in which it is used, produced, and advertised in our world. Statements that claim cigarettes cause cancer are only a partial truth, tobacco as a single entity does not cause cancer, and never has. The harmful effects of tobacco derive from the thousands of different compounds generated in the smoke, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (such as benzpyrene), formaldehyde, cadmium, nickel, ammonia, arsenic, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), phenols, and many others. Up until 1994, cigarette manufacturers were not mandated to list all of the ingredients used to make their final products. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services made this information required in 1994 and the tobacco companies were forced to reveal the secrets of the chemicals In cigarettes. While there are many naturally occurring chemicals in cigarettes, studies have found that companies were adding at least 600 additional chemicals to enhance their product. It is being estimated by some that the chemical composition in standard cigarettes make up at least 35% of the dry matter weight of each cigarette. That is a staggering discovery!
It is now being shown that standard cigarettes contain radioactive particulates, derived from the environment and the chemical fertilizers used. According to the EPA(Emergency Protection Agency) the tobacco leaves used in making cigarettes contain radioactive material, particularly lead-210 and polonium-210. The radionuclide content of tobacco leaves depends heavily on soil conditions and fertilizer use. The repeated use of chemical fertilizers further depletes the soil as well as increasing the radioactive contamination.
Cigarettes in the form it is commonly accepted as is essentially a chemically-hijacked-delivery-vehicle. The active compound in tobacco is, of course, nicotine which is a super dilator for our blood capillaries, similar to cacao in this way. When people smoke commercial tobacco they are opening up their cells to 4,000 different artificially created chemicals, thus deepening the infiltration of these toxins with each puff. Nicotine is considered the primary addictive element within tobacco, I find this to be true when tobacco is used abusively and unconsciously. Nicotine has therapeutic benefits which resemble the effects of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, the primary transmitter of nerve impulses within the parasympathetic nervous system—i.e., that part of the autonomic nervous system that contracts smooth muscles, dilates blood vessels, increases bodily secretions, and slows the heart rate. This is why authentic tobacco has been used ritualistically in part of peace pipe circles and shamanic journeys. This plant has been severely abused in our culture, therefore casting a dark stigma upon it, when in reality the true essence of this sacred plant has been lost to most who ingest it.
I feel the need to reiterate, I am in no way advocating that you or anyone else should smoke tobacco regularly. It is not really necessary, although I do find it’s value if used as our ancestors have, especially if you are interested in exploring traditional plant medicines. If someone does smoke commercial cigarettes it is imperative that they begin to upgrade to organic tobacco at the very least. Commercially sold “organic” or “natural” tobacco can, and in many cases is, sprayed with chemicals during the growing process, not to mention the poor quality of the tobacco used. If one truly wishes to experience this plant it is suggested to get into growing it, or get it directly from the grower in the same fashion we would source our produce from the farmer.
The traditional use of tobacco smoking of the indigenous people of the Americas was within a blend of important herbs known as a kinnikinick. In many cases tobacco was only a small piece of the blend or not at all. Herbs such as mugwort, sage, yerba santa, mazinete bark, and others were used for a variety of purposes such as the flu, digestive irritations, increased clarity, reducing anxiety, or for purely ceremonial events.
The consistent habit of cigarette smoking can be attributed largely, or in many cases entirely to nutritional deficiencies, causes from poor diet and the excessive use of tobacco smoking. The frequent use of tobacco is often times an indirect response to the acid-based western diet and a blood-sugar imbalance. The use of tobacco can create an alkaline stimulation where the acids in the blood are buffered temporarily. This can easily be alleviated by incorporating green leafy vegetables and their juices into the diet. The chlorophyl within fresh organic green vegetables allows for the transportation of alkaline minerals which work to shield and detoxify acid-waste-materials that keep the blood thick and unable to transport oxygen to the brain.
B3(niacin): Vitamin B3 otherwise known as niacin is commonly recommended for nicotine withdrawals. It is becoming an accepted fact that smokers in the western world are unknowingly supplementing a niacin(nicotinic-acid) deficiency from poor diet, stress, and malabsorption. This has been held behind the veil by tobacco companies, especially in terms of teenage smokers. Nicotinic-Acid(Niacin) is an oxidized form of nicotine which has been shown to be extremely effective in supplemental form for reducing nicotine cravings. Vitamin B3 helps to increase cellular respiration thus improving metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates as well as energy production and circulation. It is suggested to supplement with niacin due to the depletion of this vitamin through excessive smoking and/or alcohol use. Many people smoke tobacco to offset depression. The building block of serotonin is the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is also a building block for niacin production, when niacin is low in the body the tryptophan focuses on niacin production leaving serotonin production to the way side. By aiding the body with B3 and eating tryptophan rich foods(cacao, durian fruit, plant proteins) there is no chemical-conversion-complications.
200 mg of niacin is alleged to cause flushing by way of blood vessel dilation otherwise known as a “niacin flush”. Niacin flushing is very beneficial for rebalancing the nervous system, increasing the circulatory system and cardiovascular system promoting healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver. It is suggested here to consume jungle peanuts for whole food vitamin B3 needs which done in handfuls can cause a similar niacin reaction but is much more gentle.
L-Tyrosine: The Nuerotransmitter molecule dopamine is directly effected by heavy tobacco usage. Dopamine is the pleasure center of the brain which is also involved in the development of our nervous system. Excessive nicotine saturation to the brain can lead to a depletion of our natural production of dopamine causing an addictive pattern for false stimulation. It is recommended by many experts to supplement with the amino acid L-Tyrosine, a pre-cursor for dopamine secretion. 1,000 mg twice a day is recommended for adults who struggle with their tobacco habit. I personally recommend adding the Ayurvedic herb macuna pruriens for it’s high concentration of L-Dopa(pre-cursor to dopamine), which sits a step ahead of tyrosine on the chemical conversion ladder.
L-Tryptophan: L-Tryptophan is recommended for boosting serotonin levels as nicotine can cause a depletion in this brain chemical as we see with dopamine decreases. Cacao is a high source of tryptophan, therefore it is suggested to consume the whole bean in place of tobacco. When you urge for a cigarette you can pop a cacao bean, for adult men it is recommended to do 10-16 beans a day and for adult women 8-10. The exotic durian fruit is one of the highest sources of L-tryptophan therefore consuming this with cacao is highly encouraged.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C therapy is an effective strategy for reducing nicotine craving due to the severe depletion of it through excessive smoking. It is estimated that vitamin c is broken down twice as fast in smokers as it is in non-smokers. Vitamin c is integral for the formulation of ligament and muscle tissue as well as collagen for vibrant skin. Vitamin c is a critical co-factor for alleviating blood-clottages, thus supporting oxygen transportation to our cells and brain. It is suggested to take supplemental vitamin c(ascorbic-acid) in 1,000 mg three times a day to reverse a deficiency. I suggest you look into natural plant derived powders such as camu camu, ascerola cherry, rose hips, passion flower, amla berry, and kakadu. You can create a vitamin c cocktail by adding in your favorite powders to a lemon and orange juice base.
