Tobacco is one the leading global health concerns of the 21st century. Its usage has been linked to increased risk of cancer, heart issues and other non-communicable diseases. In certain parts of South America however, the plant (especially Nicotiana rustica L.) is revered for its medicinal properties by Amazonian traditional healers known as maestro tabaquero who have been using tobacco as treatment for mental health, respiratory system and parasitic illnesses.
The paper published in Frontiers was based on interviews with a Peruvian Amazonian healer with 36 years of clinical experience and could serve as a stepping stone to more fascinating research on this much disdained substance.
