Tobacco uses: spiritual/medical?!

Tobacco uses: spiritual/medical?

I know that smoking is BADFORYOU!!!1!! but tobacco was origionally a sacred plant wasn't it? So what were the origional properties of it (spiritual/medical/etc...) that made people value it, and in what ways can it be used other than smoking?

also, I know that the tobacco industry has a bad history/ cigarettes are full of other chemicals, but I want to know about the plant in a herbal nature.

Thanks!

As I understand it the Native Americans considered the smoking of tobacco as a spiritual act because they believed the prayers went up to spirit on the wings of the sacred smoke.
I think they smoked/used other herbs with the tobacco to enable them to perceive the spirit world.

The peace pipe was also smoked and passed ceremonially around a circle to ensure all 'elders or chiefs' partook in the sacred ritual which was binding.
i also believe the blowing of smoke onto affected parts of the body was supposed to transport healing energy in a sweat lodge.
The tobacco was also used as an offering to Mother Earth.

They key point is that smoking was considered a sacred act and wasnt practised on a daily basis, it was reserved for ceremonial use not daily habitual use.