As anyone who has ever dealt with worms knows, they can be a real pain – both literally and figuratively. It’s no wonder then that people have been looking for ways to get rid of them for centuries. One method that has been used – with varying degrees of success – is treating worms with tobacco.
The active ingredient in tobacco that is thought to kill worms is nicotine. In small doses, nicotine can paralyze and eventually kill worms by disrupting their nervous system. There are a few different ways to administer the tobacco, including smoking it, eating it, or applying it directly to the skin (in the form of a poultice or ointment).
While there is some anecdotal evidence that treating worms with tobacco can be effective, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Furthermore, because of the potential harmful side effects of nicotine (including addiction), using tobacco to treat worms is not recommended.