Nicotiana (tobacco) is a genus of 21 to 67 species of perenial herbs and shrubs, including many subspecies, strains and cultivars, characterized by large fleshy leaves and numerous sticky hairs. Various species are used as ornamentals, insecticides, and for smoking.

Mapacho is considered very sacred by Amazonian shamans and is employed alone (by tabaqueros) or in combination with other plants in shamanic practices. Some shamans drink the juice of tobacco leaves alone as a source of visions. Mapacho is used extensively in healing practices and is considered a medicine, not a health hazard, when used properly.

Paradoxically, the tobacco plant is at once one of the most sacred and most profaned of all botanicals. This species is definitely not the same as the species of tobacco found in today's cigarettes, pipes and cigars (N. tabacum). N. rustica is the much more potent, chemically complex, and potentially entheogenic plant which so fascinated the ancient Mayan culture. It has been used extensively in the Shamanic traditions of the Americas both by itself and as an adjunct to many other visionary plants and brews including Ayahuasca. It's unequivocally one of the shaman's most important plant allies. Makes a very potent smoke!

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