BT-038 · Solanaceae

Mapacho

Nicotiana rustica

Evidence: TraditionalHigh riskRestricted in Türkiye

In the Amazon tobacco is not a vice but a sacred teacher plant. In Anatolia the same plant became an everyday pleasure.

Other names: Aztec tobacco, shamanic tobacco; Maraş otu in Türkiye
Part used: Leaves
Region: Amazon
Anatolia and the Mediterranean
Use: Ritual and shamanic, Poisonous

Photo: Magnus Manske · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

In short

What is Mapacho?

Mapacho (Nicotiana rustica) is a plant of the Solanaceae family. Traditions that use it: Amazon, Anatolia and the Mediterranean. Part used: leaves.

What is Mapacho used for?

Traditional use: The most fundamental plant of Amazonian shamanism. Scientific evidence: traditional. The leaves contain up to 9% nicotine, several times more than ordinary tobacco.

Is Mapacho safe?

Safety label: high risk. High nicotine can cause nausea, vomiting, fainting and heart rhythm problems. Oral use is linked to mouth cancer. It is addictive. Legal status: Restricted in Türkiye.

Traditional use

Amazon

The most fundamental plant of Amazonian shamanism. The healer blows smoke to protect the patient and the ceremonial brew. A powder (rapé) is blown into the nose through a tube.

Anatolia

The same species is grown around Kahramanmaraş, dried and mixed with ash to make Maraş otu, which is placed under the lip.

In nature

Where it grows: Gardens in the Amazon; around Kahramanmaraş and Adıyaman in Türkiye.
Harvest season: Leaves are picked and dried in summer.
Local names: Maraş otu, Hasankeyf tütünü, ağız tütünü; mapacho in the Amazon

Mix-up risk

Much stronger than ordinary tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). Never use the same amount.

Preparation

Leaves are rolled and smoked or ground to powder.

What science says

The leaves contain up to 9% nicotine, several times more than ordinary tobacco.

Safety

High risk

High nicotine can cause nausea, vomiting, fainting and heart rhythm problems. Oral use is linked to mouth cancer. It is addictive.

Drug interactions

Medicine or substance	Why it matters
Smoking-cessation drugs and nicotine patches	Nicotine doses add up.
Liver breakdown of some drugs (theophylline, clozapine)	Tobacco smoke lowers the levels of these drugs.

This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying Mapacho.

Legal status

Restricted in Türkiye

Sale of products such as Maraş otu is subject to tobacco regulations.

Laws differ by country; check local rules before travelling with or buying any plant product.

Culture bridge

Sacred teacher or simple pleasure?. Nicotiana rustica is the healer’s basic tool in the Amazon; in Kahramanmaraş it is placed under the lip as Maraş otu. Read the comparison →