Tree tobacco
Scientific names: Nicotiana glauca
Family: Solanaceae
Alternate names: Árbol del tabaco, Blåtobak, Blaugrüner Tabak, Gandul, Glaucous Leaf Tobacco, Tabac arborescent, Tabaco Moro, Tabaco Moruno, Tabaco Negro, Tobacco Bush, Wild Tobacco, Wildetabak
Actions: Endocrine, Hepatoprotective, Insecticidal, Neurologic
Background
Tree tobacco is a shrub that grows to be about 5 meters high. It was originally found in Argentina, but now grows worldwide. The leaves of tree tobacco contain a chemical called anabasine. This chemical makes tree tobacco leaves poisonous when taken by mouth.
People use tree tobacco for boils, fever, headache, pain, sore throat, and as an insect repellant, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses.
People use tree tobacco for boils, fever, headache, pain, sore throat, and as an insect repellant, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth:
Tree tobacco is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth. Tree tobacco contains a chemical called anabasine. This chemical is poisonous. Poisoning might cause the heart to stop beating, brain damage, severe muscle weakness and spasms, severe vomiting, breathing problems, seizures, high blood pressure, and death.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if tree tobacco is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if tree tobacco is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Tree tobacco is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth. Tree tobacco contains the poisonous chemical called anabasine. Anabasine can be harmful to the mother. It may also cause birth defects.Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using tree tobacco for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of tree tobacco depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for tree tobacco. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if this product interacts with any medicines.
Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
The leaves of tree tobacco contain a chemical called anabasine. Anabasine acts like a stimulant when taken at low doses and like a depressant when taken at high doses. This chemical also makes tree tobacco leaves poisonous when taken by mouth. Tree tobacco also seems to repel insects.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 29/12/2022 18:05:49 and last updated on 27/12/2021 03:02:44. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
