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Nicotiana rustica Health effects and herbal facts

Nicotiana rustica, known in South America as mapacho and in Vietnam as thuoc lao, is a rainforest plant in the Solanaceae family. It is a very potent variety of tobacco. The high concentration of nicotine in its leaves makes it useful for creating organic pesticides. Rustica is often used for entheogenic purposes by South American shamans. It contains up to nine times more nicotine than common species of Nicotiana such as N. tabacum. Other reasons for its shamanic use are the comparatively high levels of MAOI beta-carbolines, including the harmala alkaloids, harman and norharman. Most commonly, in South American ethnobotanical preparations, it is allowed to soak or be infused in water, and the water is then insufflated into the stomach in a preparation known as singado or singa; it is also smoked in cigars, used as an enema, made into a lickable product known as ambil, and made into a snuff with the bark of a species of Theobroma, creating nunu. Rustica has anthelmintic effects against tapeworm infections. In the southeast part of Turkey, people use this herb and ashes of some tree bodies to make a moist snuff called maraş otu.

Medical use

Gallery

Geografical distribution

• SOUTHERN AMERICA
  Native
  • Western South America: Bolivia - La Paz ; Ecuador - Canar, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Imbabura, Pichincha, Tungurahua; Peru - Amazonas, Ancash, Cajamarca, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Junin, Lambayeque, Lima, Puno

Biological activities

ANS-Paralytic	Nicotine found in Leaf
ANS-Stimulant	Nicotine found in Leaf
Addictive	Nicotine found in Leaf
Analgesic	Nicotine found in Leaf
Anorectic	Nicotine found in Leaf
Antiestrogenic	Nicotine found in Leaf
Antifeedant	Nicotine found in Leaf
Antifumitory	Nicotine found in Leaf
Antismoking	Anabasine found in Leaf
Cardiovascular	Nicotine found in Leaf
Cholinergic	Nicotine found in Leaf
Dopaminigenic	Nicotine found in Leaf
Ectoparasiticide	Nicotine found in Leaf
Epinephrininergic	Nicotine found in Leaf
Herbicide	Nicotine found in Leaf
Hyperglycemic	Nicotine found in Leaf
Insecticide	Anabasine found in Leaf Nicotine found in Leaf
Myorelaxant	Anabasine found in Leaf
Nematistat	Nicotine found in Leaf
Neurotoxic	Nicotine found in Leaf
Pesticide	Anabasine found in Leaf Nicotine found in Leaf
Respirastimulant	Anabasine found in Leaf
Serotoninergic	Nicotine found in Leaf
Sialogogue	Anabasine found in Leaf
Tranquilizer	Nicotine found in Leaf

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