Christopher Columbus is recognized for introducing tobacco, which he found in the pre-Columbian Americas, where it was utilized for medicinal and ceremonial purposes. When he returned to Europe, he brought with him some leaves and seeds.
Dr. Anne Charlton, author of “Medicinal uses of tobacco in history,” published by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, noted: “Columbus noted that dried leaves (of tobacco) were carried by a man in a canoe near the island of Fernandina because they were esteemed for their healthfulness.”
“In the same year, two members of his crew observed people in what is now Cuba carrying a burning torch that contained tobacco, the purpose of which (it later emerged) was to disinfect and help ward off disease and fatigue,” Charlton added.
“There is no written record in reference to tobacco prior to the 15th century. However, it is generally acknowledged that indigenous Americans used tobacco as a medicine,” said the Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science.
The Peruvian Amazon is believed to be the geographical region where tobacco originally grew. Historical records show that Maestro Tabaquero – a traditional healer whose medical specialization focuses on tobacco-based treatment – considered tobacco as “a potent medicinal plant.” It was used topically or taken orally to treat a variety of health conditions.
“Although the leaves have an acrid taste, tobacco enjoyed widespread medicinal use from the beginning of the 16th century to the end of the 19th century,” said the annals, which is published by the Association of Clinical Scientists, Inc.
Health benefits from the past
The historical records mention various other applications of tobacco in addressing certain health issues. For the treatment of indigestion, abdominal pain, and urinary blockage, a decanted liquor made from boiled tobacco was utilized. The ashes from burnt tobacco were combined with grease and used as an ointment for ulcerated skin, warts, and skin cancer.
Blowing smoke into the ear has been known to alleviate earaches. When applied to the rectal area, tobacco can help relieve constipation and bleeding. In earlier times, individuals would drop tobacco juice into their ears to improve hearing loss. For asthma, respiratory ailments, and coughs, tobacco was prepared as a syrup with honey and consumed orally.
Most of these purported health benefits are no longer applicable today. In fact, some of these practices are even banned.
However, there are certain reports indicating that a poultice made from tobacco leaves, when applied to skin inflammation, may alleviate itching and minor pain. “The nicotine in the tobacco is responsible for drawing out the allergens and repairing the skin until it’s back to normal,” wrote Gab Buganan in an article which appeared in realliving.com.ph.
Parkinson’s disease
Similar to water, tobacco can be compared to the duality of the fictional characters, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. While smoking tobacco is linked to numerous health issues, it also appears to reduce the risk of certain diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease.
Epidemiological research consistently demonstrates that tobacco use is associated with a decreased risk of this particular disease. A meta-analysis of observational studies found that current smokers had a 60% lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
“Smoking causes a reduction in activity of monoamine oxidase A and B, which might protect against neuronal damage by inhibiting the enzymatic oxidation of dopamine. One unachieved goal in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease is preventing it getting worse,” said the US National Institutes of Health.
Obesity
Another good news: smoking lowers risk of obesity, a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have a negative effect on health. Thanks to nicotine, which researchers found out to be an “appetite suppressant.” Result of the study was published in the journal Physiology & Behavior in 2011.
The relationship between smoking and weight control, however, is a little bit complex. “Nicotine itself acts as both a stimulant and appetite suppressant; and the act of smoking triggers behavior modification that prompts smokers to snack less,” wrote Wanjek, who has authored several books including Bad Medicine and Food at Work. “Smoking also might make food less tasty for some smokers, further curbing appetite.”
Diabetes
Bad news: The Philippines is now touted as a “diabetes hotspot.” Good news: Scientists in Italy have succeeded in using genetically modified tobacco plants to produce medicines for several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including diabetes.
“Transgenic plants are attractive systems for the production of therapeutic proteins because they offer the possibility of large-scale production at low cost, and they have low maintenance requirements,” said study leader Professor Mario Pezzotti at the University of Verona.
Many of the aforementioned studies regarding tobacco appear to concentrate on nicotine, a stimulant substance that accelerates the transmission of signals between the brain and the body.
Numerous studies, primarily carried out in the United States, have demonstrated that nicotine has the potential to normalize certain psychophysiological deficits observed in individuals with schizophrenia, a chronic mental disorder marked by a disconnection from reality, hallucinations, delusions, and distorted thinking.
“We did not set out to study nicotine, we set out to study schizophrenia,” explained Dr. Robert Freedman, of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado. “But anyone who spends any time with schizophrenia soon realizes that they smoke a great deal. Indeed, a much higher percentage of schizophrenics, both male and female, are heavy smokers than in the general population, and they smoke the higher tar brands.”
Natural organic pesticide
One of the most significant challenges faced by farmers in crop production is the presence of pests and diseases that target crops during various growth stages. Consequently, farmers utilize multiple strategies to eliminate these threats. One such strategy involves the application of pesticides.
In addition to their high cost, these synthetic chemicals not only eradicate crop pests and diseases but also pose risks to the health of individuals working in the fields. According to a 2020 study, of the approximately 860 million agricultural workers globally, 44% experience pesticide poisoning each year.
What many Filipinos may not be aware of is that historical gardeners have utilized homemade mixtures of tobacco and water as a natural pesticide to combat insect pests. This discovery has led Cedric Briens and his team to develop an alternative to traditional commercial pesticides.
The impetus for developing such an idea stemmed from the low market demand for tobacco. Given that tobacco contains nicotine, Briens and his fellow researchers considered utilizing tobacco as the primary component for an environmentally friendly natural pesticide. They are of the opinion that this could generate additional revenue for tobacco farmers while also benefiting the environment.
According to a report published in the Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research journal, the process of converting tobacco into pesticide involves subjecting the leaves to heat (900 degrees Fahrenheit) within a vacuum. This method yields an unrefined product known as bio-oil. The efficacy of this product has been evaluated against a diverse array of insect pests, which includes 11 different fungi, four types of bacteria, and a potato weevil.
“The bio-oil killed all of the beetles and blocked the growth of two types of bacteria and one fungus,” the journal reported. “Even after the removal of the nicotine, the oil remained a very effective pesticide. Its ability to block some but not all of the microorganisms suggests that tobacco bio-oil may have additional value as a more selective pesticide than those currently in use.”
Tobacco sprays
In the United States, some Americans grind tobacco leaves into dust or powder and dissolve this in water to make a juice or tea. The liquid is sprayed onto crops. Farmers who use this technique disclosed it keeps away flea beetles and other leaf-eating insects. It is also effective against a host of other pests, including aphids.
The Florida-based Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization (ECHO) has also developed two tobacco sprays against some pests and diseases. In the first tobacco spray, 250 grams of dried tobacco leaves, stems or dust are boiled in four liters of water for 20 minutes. The boiled water is allowed to cool and then filtered through layered cotton cloth. Four more liters of water are added to the solution. Fifty grams of bar soap are also added; laundry soaps are not recommended.
The solution can be poured into sorghum and corn funnels to kill stalk borers. It can also be applied as a soil drench around plants to kill cutworms. Beans can be sprayed with the solution to prevent rust disease and also to control aphids, beetles, cabbage worms, caterpillars, grain weevils, leaf miners, mites, stem borers and thrips.
In addition, the solution has been found to be effective against biting or sucking insects. When applied weekly with a brush, it is effective against ticks and fleas in cattle.
In the second tobacco spray, one kilogram of crushed or bruised tobacco stalks and leaves are soaked in 15 liters of water for 24 hours. The solution is then filtered after which three to five tablespoons of liquid soap is added. Once done, it is ready for use.
“Use this tobacco spray in the evening to allow it to work at night,” the ECHO explains, adding that it must be sprayed on potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, or any plant in the Solanaceae family in order to prevent the spread of viruses.
The ECHO, however, issued this warning: “Do not let people or animals drink the solution, and when spraying, wear protective clothing – especially a mask, or apply solutions with a watering can only. Do not eat vegetables within four days of application and wash them carefully when you do.”
Two-in-one
The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) is the main agency that conducts research on tobacco in the country. In 2012, it launched a product called Tobacco Dust Plus (TDP), an excellent organic and degradable pesticide and fertilizer for grow-out ponds. Some experts believe TDP “has the potential to craft sustainable fisheries and improve the economic situation for fish and tobacco farmers around the world.”
To eliminate troublesome snails from ponds, fishers often resort to chemical pesticides; however, these substances can contaminate farmed fish, especially bangus and tilapia. TDP, a type of molluscicide, works quickly to safeguard fish and their eggs from predatory snails and other organisms present in ponds.
TDP also serves as a natural fertilizer by promoting the growth of lablab, an algae that naturally thrives on the bottoms of shallow ponds, which fish find appealing. As fish gain access to an abundance of their preferred natural food, fishers can reduce their costs associated with purchasing commercial feeds.
Food notes
Surprisingly, certain parts of tobacco can be utilized as a food ingredient. This may explain why the NTA is exploring the potential of tobacco as a source of food and feed. Their research indicates that high-quality protein can be extracted from tobacco leaves for human consumption.
The seeds, which are devoid of nicotine, are rich in protein (25%) and oil (35%). According to the NTA, this discovery suggests that they are excellent sources of both edible and industrial oils.
In the early 1990s, the NTA successfully developed pastry products such as polvoron, pastillas, cookies, doughnuts, and pancakes, incorporating ground tobacco seeds to replace up to 30% of the flour needed.
Through its research, the NTA discovered that tobacco seeds could also serve as a substitute for sesame seeds or peanuts in brittle candies. Taste tests involving elementary pupils, high school students, college students, and professionals indicated a high level of acceptance for these products, with ratings ranging from “liked” to “liked a lot” according to the Smiley Test.
Tobacco seeds can also be used as livestock feed. Research conducted by the NTA revealed that tobacco seeds could replace 25% of the commercial feed components for broilers. A separate study on tilapia indicated that up to 70% of their feed could be substituted with tobacco seeds. Furthermore, the seed cake produced after oil extraction can serve as a protein-rich feed for cattle and horses.
“The potential of tobacco as a source of food and feed are very promising,” the NTA said. “If fully tapped, it will not extend the usefulness of tobacco but more importantly, will be a positive factor in easing the increasing demand for food.”
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