Tobacco:  ¿medicine or vice?
D.Anton

Anti-tobacco campaigns are actually campaigns against industrial cigarettes, modified to increase addiction.
Native tobacco "Nicotiana tabacum" originated in America, in the Andean zone between Peru and Ecuador, where the first cultivations took place between 5,000 and 3,000 years b.c.e.
When the Europeans arrived in America, tobacco consumption was widespread throughout the continent for medicinal or ceremonial purposes..
The first seeds were taken to Europe in 1559 and planted in Spain. From there they spread its the rest of the world.
Industrial cigarettes came later, the tenors of nicotine (which in native tobacco, because of their intense effects make it almost impossible to fall into addiction) were artificially decreased and its comsuption was generalized worldwide, becoming one of the more profitable businesses.

Native tobacco in America was not a vice but a medicinal or ceremonial tradition.
We should not confuse the native tobacco plant with industrial cigarettes.
In America it was a medicinal plant that during millennia had spread throughout the continent.
It was considered medicine in most Native American cultures. It was used as a healing substance, or for ceremonial and visionary purposes.
The properties of the various varieties of wild and traditional tobaccos are little known.
It is known that tobacco was (is) smoked by the shaman for answers that allow him to cure the sick or decide the best decisions for communities. The Charrúas of Uruguay smoked tobacco before making transcendental decisions. Among the Guaraní m'bya, during important ceremonies and meetings, women throw tobacco smoke at their husbands and children to give them strength.

The Amazonian peoples, besides smoking it and using the leaves for healing purposes, ingest the leaves whole or ground, in order to obtain visionary experiences. In that sense, its role is very similar to ayahuasca, although with a less intense psychoactive effect. There is general agreement among native shamans that tobacco is the little "sister" of ayahuasca.
The medicinal use of tobacco did not diffuse in the same way as its hedonistic consumption. In America, ritual use was gradually abandoned by Creole societies.
In contrast, tobacco smoking, especially of certain varieties selected for their low nicotinic tenors, was adopted by the Europeans, who quickly became fervent addicts. The custom spread in Europe, and then, to the rest of the world.
From "Peoples, Drugs and Serpents", D.Antón, Piriguazú Ediciones

Tobacco:  ¿medicine or vice?
D.Anton

Anti-tobacco campaigns are actually campaigns against industrial cigarettes, modified to increase addiction.
Native tobacco "Nicotiana tabacum" originated in America, in the Andean zone between Peru and Ecuador, where the first cultivations took place between 5,000 and 3,000 years b.c.e.
When the Europeans arrived in America, tobacco consumption was widespread throughout the continent for medicinal or ceremonial purposes..
The first seeds were taken to Europe in 1559 and planted in Spain. From there they spread its the rest of the world.
Industrial cigarettes came later, the tenors of nicotine (which in native tobacco, because of their intense effects make it almost impossible to fall into addiction) were artificially decreased and its comsuption was generalized worldwide, becoming one of the more profitable businesses.

Native tobacco in America was not a vice but a medicinal or ceremonial tradition.
We should not confuse the native tobacco plant with industrial cigarettes.
In America it was a medicinal plant that during millennia had spread throughout the continent.
It was considered medicine in most Native American cultures. It was used as a healing substance, or for ceremonial and visionary purposes.
The properties of the various varieties of wild and traditional tobaccos are little known.
It is known that tobacco was (is) smoked by the shaman for answers that allow him to cure the sick or decide the best decisions for communities. The Charrúas of Uruguay smoked tobacco before making transcendental decisions. Among the Guaraní m'bya, during important ceremonies and meetings, women throw tobacco smoke at their husbands and children to give them strength.

The Amazonian peoples, besides smoking it and using the leaves for healing purposes, ingest the leaves whole or ground, in order to obtain visionary experiences. In that sense, its role is very similar to ayahuasca, although with a less intense psychoactive effect. There is general agreement among native shamans that tobacco is the little "sister" of ayahuasca.
The medicinal use of tobacco did not diffuse in the same way as its hedonistic consumption. In America, ritual use was gradually abandoned by Creole societies.
In contrast, tobacco smoking, especially of certain varieties selected for their low nicotinic tenors, was adopted by the Europeans, who quickly became fervent addicts. The custom spread in Europe, and then, to the rest of the world.

From "Peoples, Drugs and Serpents", D.Antón, Piriguazú Ediciones

Tobacco: medicine or vice?

D.Anton

The tobacco is native of the American continent where numerous species and varieties grow, many of which are cultivated from very remote times.

The plant was domesticated in Mexico as a result of the crossing of the wild varieties Nicotiana silvestris and Nicotiana otophora. Then it spread through much of the Caribbean where it was found by Europeans upon arrival. Other species of wild tobacco are found in eastern North America (Nicotiana rustica), in the west of that same continental territory, and in South America (Nicotiana attenuata, Nicotiana trigonophylla and Nicotiana quadrivalvis).

The common tobacco is a plant about 1 m high that has thick and oval leaves and auxiliary roots. All the tobaccos have an epidermis covered with small hairs, some of which are glandular and secrete a viscous liquid. The tobacco leaf contains several alkaloids with a psychoactive effect. The main one of them is nicotine, whose content varies according to the growing conditions, ranging from 10 to 4.5% 2.

The plant was used by almost all the American peoples, from the native nations of the cold temperate zones of North America to the Chaco, Guarani and Charrua cultures in the south of South America. It was consumed in various ways, and in different social and ceremonial settings. They chewed or swallowed the leaves, smoked them or breathed the smoke, prepared them in infusion or applied them directly to the skin.

In 1565 Benzoni described the tobacco that was grown in the major islands of the Caribbean as follows:

"On this island ... (" La Española ") ... as in some other regions of these new territories, there are certain shrubs that are not very large as if they were reeds that produce leaves similar to those of walnut, although they are much larger that the natives in places where there are very much appreciated, just like the slaves brought there by the Spaniards from Ethiopia. When the leaves are in their point, the regcogen, tie them in mallets and hang them over the fire until they are well dried. Then, when they want to use them, they take a leaf from the ear of their cereal and put one of the others inside, they wrap them together in the form of a tube; Then they light a fire at one end, and with the other in their mouth, they suck so that the smoke enters the mouth, throat and head. They endure as much smoke as they can tolerate, thereby obtaining pleasure, and they are so filled with this cruel smoke that they faint. "

The medicinal and ceremonial use

Tobacco was considered medicine in most of the native American cultures. It was used as a curative, ceremonial and visionary substance.

The properties of the different varieties of wild and traditional tobacco are little known. It is known that tobacco is smoked by the shaman to obtain answers that allow him to cure the sick or decide the best destinations for the communities. The Uruguayan charrúas smoked tobacco before making momentous decisions. Among the M'bya Guarani, during ceremonies and important gatherings, women throw tobacco smoke at their husbands and children to give them strength.

The Amazonian peoples, in addition to smoking it and using the leaves for intensive purposes, ingest the whole or ground leaves, in order to obtain visionary experiences. In that sense, its role is very similar to that of ayahuasca, although with a less intense psychoactive effect. There is generally agreement among native shamans that tobacco is the "younger sister" of ayahuasca.

The medicinal use of tobacco was not spread in the same way as its recreational use. In America, ritual use was gradually abandoned by creole societies.

On the other hand, the smoking of tobacco, especially that of certain varieties selected for their low nicotine content, was adopted by the Europeans, who quickly became fervent addicts. The custom spread in Europe, and then, to the rest of the world.

The global cultivation of tobacco

The tobacco is one of the most widespread crops of the global society, the production reaches billions of kilograms and the sums of money that circulate in its commerce surpass those of any other agro-industrial item. Although it can be used in a variety of ways, practically all of its consumption is based on smoking, especially in the form of cigarettes, manufactured with milled tobacco leaves and industrially armed using special paper, usually presented in cardboard boxes with the printed marks in full color.

Smoked (industrially or "scratched" by hand from solid masses of tobacco or "naco") in pipes and in manually prepared cigarettes is also smoked, although to a much lesser degree. The leaves can be rolled and smoked in the form of "habanos" or "toscanos".

The diffusion of tobacco is due to the addictive nature of cigarettes specially modified at industrial level to obtain the maximum addiction.

In fact, wild tobacco is not addictive. It is impossible to smoke rustic tobacco as often as industrial cigarettes are smoked. For that reason, its use in native cultures was limited to ceremonial and healing functions.

The development of individual and social addiction processes took place after the European invasion of the continent.

From "Peoples, Drugs and Serpents", Danilo Antón, Piriguazú Ediciones

Blog in English: danantongiudice.blogspot.com

Native tobacco in South America

The cultivation and use of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) was (and still is) widespread in most of the First Nations of the American continent. Originally from the American continent, the planting and consumption of tobacco was part of productive and ceremonial practices.
Tobacco was planted from the temperate forests of North America and Caribbean island territories to the subtropical forests of South America. It was consumed in several ways: chewing, drinking in infusions and especially smoking.

Smoking tobacco was often an act of spiritual content that was related to the need to obtain visions, to communicate with spirits, to project strength and energy and other similar ritual purposes. Tobacco consumption was also widespread among the many First Nations communities of the Southern Cone, which could plant or obtain it through trade. Even today, its cultivation and use is common in almost all native peoples, from the "Yekwana" (Carib) of the Upper Orinoco and the "Mascoy-Lenguas" of the Chaco to the "Guaraní-M'bya", as we have seen personally.
The "Mascoy-Lenguas" usually smoke their tobacco in a pipe (they do not chew it). The pipes they use today can be made of mud or wood, although it seems that in ancient times almost all pipes were made of mud, since in the language mascoy "tierra" and "pipe" are the same word .. The "lenguas" tobacco pipes on the other hand, are usually made of wood.
According to Bargbrooke Brubb, among the "Mascoys" the cane of the pipe is made from the heart of a certain type of cactus, and when the tobacco is exhausted, the natives cut into pieces the stalks saturated with nicotine and smoke them as a substitute."
According to multiple archaeological findings, the First Nations of Uruguay, the Lower Paraná and the Plata also made pipes of cooked clay to smoke their tobacco. Unlike the "Mascoys", the Charrúas used pipes made of animal skins.
There are many documents that record the practices of tobacco consumption by the native communities of the South. According to General Antonio Diaz, they used to smoke their cigars by covering their heads with a blanket to increase the effects of inhalation. Tobacco is also likely to be used for ceremonial practices in order to obtain visions as it does in many other First Nations of the continent.
Unlike certain Chaco towns, the Charrúas also chewed tobacco. To do this they prepared a mixture of bone and tobacco that located under the upper lip, which apparently had the effect of providing calories in winter and favor the preservation of the teeth.
Among the Chaco "Mascoys", the "Yekwana" of the Upper Orinoco and the "Guaraní M'bya" among others, tobacco is grown in small quantities in the chakras. The "Mascoy" women pull out the leaves, and while they are still green they take care of removing the pod, and of crushing them in a hollowed palm stump. Then they form the pulp in small round cakes, wet them with saliva and squeeze it between the hands. Later they let them cook in the sun until they are quite hard. A hole is made in the center of each cake, and several of them are threaded all together according to convenience ... "they do not smoke excessively, since each sucks only a few times before passing the pipe to its neighbor, and rare Sometimes a single person smokes a whole pipe ... »
At present, tobacco, often modified and often denatured, has spread globally, and even its inappropriate consumption has led to addictive behaviors with negative health effects.
From "The people of the jaguar", Danilo Antón, Piriguazú Ediciones.

The tobacco plant: vindicating its historical native American roots

D.Anton

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum and related species) is a native plant of America (probably originated in the Andean tropical zone), which since the colonization of the continent, has become one of the most widespread crops of the world.

In most Native American cultures the tobacco plant was considered a medicine. It is employed as a healing, ceremonial and visionary substance. It was (is) aspired, chewed, eaten, drank in infuss}uibs, smeared on the body, used as eyedrops and for the application of enemas. It was blown on the face of warriors before battle, was spread on fields before planting, was offered to the Gods, was poured on women before intercourse, and both men and women used it as a narcotic. Charrúas and minuanes of Uruguay smoked tobacco before making important decisions. Among the Guarani M'bya, during ceremonies and meetings, the women throw tobacco smoke on their husbands and children to give them strength. The native peoples of North America use it to ritually enforce their agreements by smoking in pipes and to communicate with their ancestors.

The properties of the various varieties of wild and traditional tobacco plants are multiple and partially known. It is known that tobacco is smoked by the shamans to find answers allowing them to heal the sick or make important decisions in some native communities. The Charruas of Uruguay smoked tobacco before going into battle. Among the Guarani M'bya, during ceremonies and meetings, women throw tobacco smoke on their husbands and children to give them strength.

Amazonian peoples, as well as smoking it and using the leaves for medicinal purposes, swallowed whole or crushed leaves in order to obtain visionary experiences. In this regard, their role is very similar to the psychoactive effect of ayahuasca, There is general agreement among the native shamans that tobacco is the "little sister" of ayahuasca.

The medicinal use of tobacco did not spread in the same way as its recreational use

It was adopted by the Europeans colonists , who quickly became fervent addicts. The custom spread to the European continent and from there to the rest of the world.

It became an industrial product of widespread consumption. Some varieties were specially selected, mainly because their low nicotine varieties (which increases their addictivity),

The sad paradox is that one of the main medicinal plants of Native America became a health problem for million of people throughtout the world. 

Reproduced from "Peoples, Drugs and Serpents", Danilo Anton, Piriguazú Ediciones.

Tobacco, Medicine or Vice?

Danilo Anton

 Tobacco was considered medicine in most Native American cultures. It was used it for healing and ceremonial purposes.

The properties of the various varieties of wild and traditional tobacco plants s are little known. We know that tobbaco is smoked by the shaman to receive answers that allow to heal the sick or decide the best ways for communities. The Charruas of Uruguay smoked tobacco before taking important decisions. Among the Guarani M'bya, during ceremonies and meetings, women blow tobacco smoke to their husbands and children to give them strength.

Amazonian peoples also smoke tobacco and use the leavess for medicinal purposes. They ingest the leaves whole or grounded, in order to obtain visionary experiences. 

In that sense, its role is very similar to ayahuasca, it has a psychoactive effect although less intense. There is general agreement among the native shamans that tobacco is the "little sister" of ayahuasca.

The medicinal use of tobacco did not spread in the same way as their recreational use.  Ritual use has been gradually abandoned.

At the same time tobacco smoking spread to Europe first, and then to the rest of the world.

In recent decades, driven by cigarette industrial companies, low nicotine tobacco consumption has increased. This augmented its need and led into addictive behavior.

Global cultivation of tobacco

Tobacco is one of the most widespread global society crops. It reaches million tons kilograms and the amount of money circulating in tobacco trade exceeds those of any other agro-industrial sector. 

While tobacco it can be used in various ways, today virtually all consumption is based on smoking it, especially in the form of cigarettes, made with crushed leaves industrially prepared using special paper, usually presented in small boxes of cardboard with full color printed trademarks.

It is consumed also, although to a much lesser extent, as grounded tobacco (industrially made or "scratched" by hand from solid masses of tobacco or "naco"). This last one is smoked in pipes and cigarettes prepared manually. The leaves can be rolled up and smoked in a "cigar" or "tuscan".

Tobacco diffusion is due to the addictive nature of industrial cigarettes specially modified for maximum addiction.

Normally wild tobacco is much less addictive.

Economic and cultural globalization of tobacco

The processes of globalization in production and trade that ensued after the Second World War, further increased the economic role of industrial tobacco whose production has exceeded 50 million tons annually. Because of its high value per unit of weight this product became one of the leading agro-industrial selling items.

During this period, industrialized tobacco spread to almost all cultures and social layers of the planet.

Today there are about 1,000 million addicts, and probably more than 50 million deaths per year can be linked to harmful effects caused by artificial tobacco especially "designed" to cause addiction.

In recent years, due to the severity of the problem, social movements have emerged to combat the use of tobacco. 

It has been banned or its advertising limited, industrial processing companies have been cornered by numerous legal actions (especially in the US), and in some cases, had to pay large sums to compensate the victims of its consumption. 

While many major European and US fortunes of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries were built on the money generated by the production and trade of tobacco, in recent years the "business" is gradually losing its lucrative nature. 

Tobacco companies are "diversifying" their industrial and commercial branches, and gradually the industry has begun a slow decline of their "participation" in world trade. But still, presently many people, perhaps millions of are dying annually affected by toxic products added to cigarettes.

Unfortunately as a result of this widespread alienation, it has been lost sight of the true benefactor nature of tobacco, which has been for so long such an important medicinal plant in the world. It could be again in the future if society relearns the respect for the old plant.

From "Peoples,Drugs and Serpents", Danilo Anton, Piriguazu Ediciones