Nicotiana glauca
Botanical Nomenclature | Nicotiana glauca |
Common Name | Tree Tobacco, Wild Tobacco |
Taxonomy- Family | Solanaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Nicotiana glauca is an annual or biennial plant growing up to 6m, with small, oval, fleshy, petiolate, gray-green leaves and tubular, yellow-green, hermaphrodite flowers in inflorescences. The fruits are oval capsules, which contain many small seeds. The flowering lasts from July to October, while the fruiting takes place from September to October. |
Region Found | Epirus |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Leaves |
Active Substances | The whole plant, especially the leaves, contain anabasine (neonicotine), a pyridine alkaloid with nicotine-like structure and activity. The plant also contains polypeptides, fiber and minerals. |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The leaves have antirheumatic, astringent, healing and soothing properties. They are applied externally to the skin in the form of poultice for the treatment of edema, bruises, wounds, inflammations and skin ulcers. Clinical studies have shown that anabasine's binding at nicotinic receptors causes neuromuscular blockade, affecting mainly the respiratory centers, resulting in reduced respiratory rate. This is the reason why it is only applied externally. |
Method of Administration | The plant is applied externally to the skin as astringent and soothing in the form of poultice made from the fresh or dried leaves. Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | The whole plant is poisonous. It's consumption may cause respiratory suppression and death. |
References | 1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20652661 2) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Nicotiana+glauca 3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3743629/ 4) http://nefeli.lib.teicrete.gr/browse2/steg/theka/2007/Siniolakis/attached-document/2007Siniolakis.pdf 5) https://www.farmacon.gr/farmablog/articles/pesticides/620-agriokapnos-zizanio-eisvoleas-lolas |