The Healing Herb of the New World

For centuries before modern medicine, tobacco was revered as a medicinal wonder. Indigenous peoples across the Americas cultivated over 60 species of tobacco, using it for rituals, recreation, and healing. Spanish explorers in the 15th century observed the Taíno people of Cuba and Haiti burning tobacco leaves to purify homes and treat illnesses. They even witnessed shamans using tobacco smoke to induce trance states before performing surgeries.

In Mexico, tobacco served as a remedy for diarrhea, constipation, and pain relief. California’s desert tribes crushed the leaves into ointments for rheumatism and skin infections. Europeans, fascinated by these discoveries, eagerly adopted tobacco as a “panacea.” Spanish physician Nicolás Monardes celebrated its virtues in his 1570 book Joyful News Out of the New Found World, claiming it could cure 20 ailments—including cancer, an ironic assertion given tobacco’s later link to lung disease.

The Royal Endorsement: Snuff and the European Elite

Tobacco’s medical reputation soared when French diplomat Jean Nicot (namesake of nicotine) introduced it to Catherine de’ Medici in 1561. He presented powdered tobacco as a remedy for her migraines—and it worked. Soon, snuff became a fashionable indulgence in European courts. By the late 1500s, no aristocratic gathering was complete without it.

Yet not everyone was convinced. England’s King James I famously condemned smoking as “loathsome” in 1604, warning it harmed the brain and lungs. Despite his protests, tobacco retained niche medical uses. A popular 18th-century manual, Primitive Physic, even recommended blowing pipe smoke into aching ears—a dubious remedy by today’s standards.

The Golden Age of Smoke Enemas

One of history’s strangest medical practices emerged in 18th-century Britain: tobacco smoke enemas. Advertised as a revival technique for drowning victims, the method involved pumping smoke into a patient’s rectum via bellows. The logic? The warmth and nicotine were thought to stimulate breathing.

The “Society for the Recovery of Persons Apparently Drowned” patrolled the Thames with enema kits, ready to administer this “treatment.” Unsurprisingly, it was ineffective—though it did inspire the phrase “blowing smoke up your ass,” now a metaphor for empty flattery. The practice faded as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation gained acceptance, thanks partly to midwives who had long used it to revive newborns.

Tobacco as Disinfectant and Dental Care

Beyond enemas, tobacco had other unconventional uses. During the 1665 London plague, students smoked in classrooms to ward off disease. In 1882, a Bolton workhouse distributed tobacco during a smallpox outbreak, believing it prevented infection. Scientists later discovered that pyridine in tobacco smoke could kill bacteria—though they conceded its harms outweighed any benefits.

Indigenous Americans pioneered another odd application: tobacco toothpaste. Mixed with chalk or lime, powdered tobacco cleaned teeth—a far cry from modern nicotine-stained smiles. Today, brands like IPCO’s “Creamy Snuff” still market tobacco-based toothpaste in South Asia, despite its questionable safety.

Doctors and the Rise of Cigarette Advertising

By the 19th century, science began turning against tobacco. Researchers isolated nicotine in 1828, linking it to heart and nervous system damage. Yet the 20th century saw tobacco companies fight back—by recruiting doctors.

Ad campaigns like “More Doctors Smoke Camels” (1946–1952) exploited physicians’ credibility. Reynolds Tobacco even “surveyed” doctors after gifting them free cigarettes. Another campaign claimed Lucky Strikes were “less irritating,” while Philip Morris advertised its brand as a remedy for throat inflammation. These tactics kept public skepticism at bay for decades.

The Fall of Medical Tobacco

The tide turned mid-century. Studies conclusively tied smoking to cancer, emphysema, and heart disease. By the 1960s, tobacco was expelled from medicine’s good graces. Yet its recreational use persisted: today, 1.3 billion people smoke globally, generating $300 billion annually for the industry.

Legacy: From Cure to Killer

Tobacco’s journey from miracle drug to public health menace is a cautionary tale. Once praised by monarchs and physicians, it now kills over 8 million yearly. Yet its history lingers—in idioms, cultural practices, and even niche products. And while smoke enemas are (thankfully) extinct, tobacco’s grip on society endures, a testament to its addictive power and the slow march of scientific progress.

Next time you see a vintage ad claiming “Doctors recommend Camels,” remember: medicine’s past is often stranger—and deadlier—than fiction.