5 Beneficial Uses of Tobacco

Tobacco, in modern times, has earned quite a bad reputation. Since it is usually associated with recreational smoking, people tend to see it as something not to be desired. However, this long-forgotten plant has a myriad of uses and medical cures up its sleeve that may come in handy around the home. To convince you, we’ve put together a few that you can try: 

1. Kill pests. Tobacco is a great pest poison for the garden—especially for centipedes, caterpillars and snails that tend to feed on leaves. To get rid of them, drench the soil with a mixture of water, minced garlic and tobacco leaves. Outdoor critters cannot stand the smell of nicotine which drives them away from your lot.

RL Tip: This solution can be very foul-smelling. Save it for outdoor spaces and steer clear of it for indoor gardens to avoid stinking up your home. 

2. Relieve allergies. A poultice of tobacco leaves to put on skin inflammations can help soothe itching and mild pain. The nicotine in the tobacco is responsible for drawing out the allergens and repairing the skin until it’s back to normal.  

3. Make an all-natural insect repellent. Having an outdoor party or going on a camping trip? Keep the mosquitoes and bed bugs away by boiling a package of chewing tobacco in a gallon of water. After letting it sit for a few hours as it cools, strain the mixture well and spray this around where pest control is needed.

4. Give first aid to minor cuts. In case there is no topical iodine in sight, you can use ground up tobacco to keep fresh wounds from stinging. Simply wet the leaves with a bit of cold water to form a paste and apply over the affected area.

5. Clear nasal passages. As a home remedy for colds, Native Americans used to boil tobacco with desert sage and inhale the steam or smoke the leaves to clear up the lungs. They also believed that it helps people with asthma and tuberculosis breathe better.

RL Tip: Before trying this hack out, make sure you ask your doctor about it to avoid further health problems. 

PHOTOS and SOURCES: theherbalacademy.com and @kgbuganan via Instagram (Main) | Ready Nutrition (It Ain’t Just For Smoking: Known But Beneficial Uses For Tobacco) | Preparing For SHTF (5 Survival Uses for Tobacco)