Nicotiana tabacum

Derived from the dried leaves of the tobacco plant, Nicotiana tabacum, which contains the potent alkaloid nicotine. Indigenous to the Americas, tobacco was ritualistically used for centuries by Native peoples and later spread globally for smoking, snuffing, and chewing. Homeopathically, Tabacum is prepared from the tincture of the dried leaves and acts profoundly on the nervous system, circulation, and gastrointestinal tract, particularly in cases of collapse, vertigo, and nausea.

Widely used recreationally in the form of cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco. Pharmacologically, nicotine stimulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Historically used for enemas, poultices, and insecticides.

First proved by Hahnemann. Toxicological data on nicotine poisoning (accidental and habitual) contributes significantly to its picture.

• Autonomic nervous system – especially the vagus nerve and parasympathetic tone
• Gastrointestinal tract – nausea, vomiting, collapse, abdominal pain
• Cardiovascular system – bradycardia, collapse, faintness
• Skin and peripheral circulation – cold sweat, cyanosis
• Eyes and inner ear – vertigo, motion sickness, diplopia
• Pregnancy – morning sickness, fainting during gestation
• Lungs and respiration – constriction, gasping, faintness

• Uncovering the abdomen
• Fresh, open air (even cold air)
• Closing the eyes (during vertigo)
• Lying quietly with head low

• Warm, stuffy rooms
• Motion, especially upward motion (carriage, sea, lifts)
• Rising from bed or sudden movement
• After meals
• Pregnancy
• Smoking (paradoxically)
• Pressure on the stomach

• Veratrum album – Collapse with cold sweat, but Veratrum has more profuse diarrhoea, thirst, and restlessness
• Cocculus indicus – Motion sickness with vertigo, but more nervous exhaustion and backache
• Nux vomica – Nausea with irritability, but stronger reaction to stimulants and mental intensity
• Ipecacuanha – Persistent nausea, but Ipecac has clean tongue and no cold sweat
• Carbo vegetabilis – Collapse, but with air hunger and flatulence, more venous stagnation
• Arsenicum album – Anxiety with restlessness, but more heat and burning sensations, not cold sweat

• Complementary: Ipecac, Veratrum album, Cocculus
• Antidotes: Camphora, Nux vomica
• Follows well: Antimonium tart., Ipecac
• Inimical: Tobacco smoking itself (paradoxical aggravation

Tabacum is a remedy of profound autonomic disarray, oscillating between stimulation and collapse. Its essence lies in deathly nausea, vertigo, icy sweat, and a sinking, dying feeling. The sufferer is cold, pale, and terrified or oddly tranquil. Indicated where motion induces nausea so violent the patient must lie still, often uncovering the abdomen for relief. Its action is seen in pregnancy, cardiac collapse, motion sickness, and gastrointestinal crises. All symptoms are better in fresh air, worse in stuffy rooms.

• Indispensable in motion sickness and seasickness
• First remedy for hyperemesis gravidarum with collapse
• Useful in sunstroke with cold sweat and bradycardia
• A valuable aid in nicotine poisoning or withdrawal
• In cardiac failure with pallor and weak pulse, consider low potencies

Stomach

• Nausea, constant, deathly
• Vomiting, motion from
• Craves cold drinks, vomits after

Generalities

• Collapse, sudden
• Cold sweat, face, hands
• Better open air
• Worse warm room

Mind

• Despair of recovery
• Indifference during illness
• Delusion, floating

Heart

• Palpitation, bradycardia
• Pulse imperceptible
• Cyanosis with weakness

Vertigo

• Seasickness
• Better lying still
• With nausea

• Samuel Hahnemann – Materia Medica Pura: Original proving and primary symptoms
• J.H. Clarke – Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica: In-depth coverage of vertigo, cardiac symptoms, and nausea
• William Boericke – Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica: Concise clinical tips and modality highlights
• C. Hering – Guiding Symptoms: Collapse, deathly sinking, and mental symptom descriptions
• T.F. Allen – Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica: Full proving detail, particularly motion sensitivity and autonomic features