{"id":85762,"date":"2025-05-07T09:34:50","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T08:34:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/?post_type=herb&p=85762"},"modified":"2025-05-25T08:01:38","modified_gmt":"2025-05-25T07:01:38","slug":"coca","status":"publish","type":"herb","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/coca\/","title":{"rendered":"Coca"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":85791,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"d2329ee0-a4f6-4f2e-bf50-378fc1a729ea","beyondwords_preview_token":"6430b016-0a68-4c39-9a0a-83120000ea5c","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[],"conditions":[694,685,699,696,698],"sustainability":[1576],"sense":[31,18,27],"western_action":[990,1822,996,999,1000,1825,1020,1025],"chinese_action":[],"ayurvedic_action":[],"energetics_action":[1499,1492],"region":[1893],"class_list":["post-85762","herb","type-herb","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","conditions-cardiovascular-system","conditions-digestive-system","conditions-musculoskeletal-system","conditions-nervous-system","conditions-reproductive-system","sustainability-green-sustainability-status","sense-astringent-taste","sense-bitter","sense-sweet","western_action-analgesic","western_action-antiemetic","western_action-antirheumatic","western_action-aphrodisiac","western_action-astringent","western_action-circulatory-stimulant","western_action-stimulant","western_action-vulnerary","energetics_action-astringent","energetics_action-toning","region-western-herbs"],"acf":{"last_reviewed":"20250502","herb_author":1232,"banner_text":"Coca is a stimulant, tonic and digestive herb used for altitude sickness","latin_name":"Erythroxylum <\/span><\/i>spp.<\/span>","pseudonym_name":"","family_name":"Erythroxylaceae","herb_summary":"Coca is used traditionally for its stimulant, tonic, digestive and topical analgesic properties. The leaf is legally prohibited outside South America due to its extracted alkaloid, cocaine, an illegal stimulant drug.","key_benefits":"Stimulant\r\nTonic\r\nDigestive\r\nTopical analgesic","how_does_it_feel":"Coca is mildly astringent and toning with a mild taste and noticeable numbing properties when taken in some forms.<\/span>\r\n\r\nCoca is mildly stimulating, energising and opening and can help lift one\u2019s mood and sociability. Masticating the leaves in the traditional manner can also result in a mouth-numbing sensation.<\/span>","hdif_image_1":85797,"hdif_image_2":85796,"hdif_image_3":85790,"hdif_video":"","sense":[31,18,27],"what_can_i_use_it_for":"Coca is currently legally prohibited and is not available outside its native area. Visitors to the area can drink the tea to alleviate altitude sickness (<\/span>soroche<\/span><\/i>), <\/span>headaches<\/span><\/a> and digestive upsets.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nLocals chew the dried, broken or powdered leaf as a mild social stimulant. A quid of leaves is placed in the cheek and held there, to allow its stimulating properties to be absorbed across the mucous membranes.<\/span>","into_the_heart_of":"Kuka, hayu, <\/span><\/i>and<\/span> ipadu <\/span><\/i>are just some of the Indigenous names of this shrub. Its origin stories vary depending on area and community, but many talk of it being a gift of the gods, or a reward for a sacrifice. It suppresses hunger and thirst, while being mildly stimulating, on a par with coffee or tobacco, which makes it valuable for working in extreme environments (such as high altitudes and low temperatures etc.).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe \u2018opening\u2019 nature of the herb increases communication and for this, it is used for gift exchange and as a ritual and symbolic plant in community events, including social rituals like births, marriages and deaths (1,2). <\/span>","tradtional_uses":"[caption id=\"attachment_85788\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"541\"]\"Coca Coca (Erythroxylum<\/em> spp.)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nCoca is one of the oldest cultivated medicinal plants and was domesticated at least 8000 years ago (3). Coca is used as a social and ritual plant in many South American societies and Indigenous groups, particularly across the Andes, Amazon and Sierra Nevada. Masticating a quid of the leaf reduces hunger and thirst and provides a mildly stimulating effect, which is valued in both day-to-day social interactions and important community ceremonies, such as births, marriages, deaths, planting, harvesting and divination. These practices reflect the plant's functional properties and its deep, symbolic spiritual meaning (2,4,5,6).<\/span>\r\n\r\nMedicinally, coca is used as a general curative for a wide range of conditions, from headaches to rheumatism but is particularly valued for its astringent and toning digestive properties. It is also a key preparation for curing altitude sickness (<\/span>soroche<\/span><\/i>). The alkaloid content also provides a topical analgesic effect when masticated, so it is used for oral pain such as toothache, and as a poultice for wounds, aches and pains. It has also been used as an aphrodisiac and for treating impotence (2,5,7). Importantly, the leaf is not considered addictive due to its very low concentration of alkaloids (<1%) (8).<\/span>\r\n\r\nCoca came to the attention of Europeans from the time of Spanish colonisation of South America in the late 16th century. However, possibly due to transport issues and chemical instability of the leaves on sea journeys, coca leaf use did not transfer to Europe until the isolation of its active constituent alkaloid, cocaine, in 1860\u00a0 (4,5,8,9). After this, cocaine came to the attention of Austrian medical student, Sigmund Freud who explored its stimulant properties, which subsequently influenced his later development of psychoanalysis. Another Austrian medic, Karl Koller, noticed the numbing effect of cocaine and applied it to ophthalmology, and developed the first anaesthetic surgery in 1884, a significant moment in medical history across the world (8,9,10).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nDuring this period, both coca leaf (and cocaine) became popular in over-the-counter stimulant tonic drinks, and other medications for hay fever and oral pain. A famous example is Coca Cola, which still uses decocainised Peruvian coca leaf in its recipe today. Unfortunately, the isolated chemical is highly addictive and the widespread availability of the drug and subsequent negative social effects led to the eventual regulation of coca leaf (and cocaine) across America and Europe in the early 19th Century (9). As it is the source of cocaine, coca leaf is currently illegal across many parts of the world. The current main market for coca leaf, outside traditional Indigenous use, is to supply the illegal cocaine drug trade. This has led to negative social, cultural and environmental impacts in its native growing range, including stigmatising the traditional use of coca leaf by Indigenous groups. See the Sustainability section.<\/span>","what_practioners_say":"[caption id=\"attachment_85790\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"542\"]\"Coca Coca (Erythroxylum<\/em> spp.)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nCoca is not in current use by Western practitioners due to its illegality. This also means there is limited research into its mechanism of action; however, in its native range, it is used as a general tonic and for a wide range of disorders:<\/span>\r\n

Digestive system<\/h3>\r\nIt is considered a toning and healing herb for digestive disorders, including ulcers, <\/span>diarrhoea<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>gastritis<\/span><\/a>, pain and spasm. It has been theorised that coca's tropane alkaloids may use metabolic pathways similar to those of hyoscine (henbane, <\/span>Hyoscyamus niger<\/span><\/i>), which has demonstrated clinical efficacy in treating digestive symptoms. It is also used in poultice form for oral and dental pain (2,7).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Nervous system<\/h3>\r\nCoca\u2019s alkaloids are nervous system stimulants. Coca has been used traditionally for sadness and depression. It has been suggested as a potential therapeutic for ADHD (7).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Musculoskeletal system<\/h3>\r\nEthnobotanical literature shows that leaf poultices are used for rheumatic pains (2,7). One would assume this is due to coca\u2019s topical analgesic effect, due to its alkaloid content; however, there may be other prevalent mechanisms of action that have not yet been elucidated.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Cardiovascular system<\/h3>\r\nCoca leaf has been used for centuries for increasing stamina and endurance and it has been suggested that this could be used for improving physical performance outcomes. The reason is not clear but in relation to its use at high altitudes, it may be due to increased vasoconstriction and haemoglobin levels, while also acting as a blood thinner (7). A study showed that chewing 12\u201350 g of coca leaves\u00a0raises resting heart rate by\u00a0up to 27%, and increases mean arterial blood pressure by\u00a010\u201325% (19).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Reproductive system<\/h3>\r\nTraditionally used as an aphrodisiac, there has been anecdotal evidence for coca\u2019s use in impotency. Though this has yet to be thoroughly researched, theoretically, mechanisms would involve coca\u2019s stimulating and cardiovascular effects (7). It is also possible that its mood-enhancing effects improve sexual desire, as depression and anxiety often lower libido.\u00a0<\/span>","research":"[caption id=\"attachment_85792\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"546\"]\"Coca Coca (Erythroxylum<\/em> spp.)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nDue to the prohibition of this plant, there is limited research around its medical use. However, there have been some fascinating studies which will be discussed in this section.<\/span>\r\n

Effect of chewing <\/span>Erythroxylum coca<\/span><\/i> Lamarck (Coca) on cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels in high-altitude people<\/span><\/h3>\r\nAn observational comparative study was conducted in Ayacucho, Peru, where it is a cultural norm to chew coca leaves regularly. The research was conducted to investigate whether coca has an effect on cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels, and the therapeutic implications <\/span>for<\/span> obesity (11).<\/span>\r\n\r\nFifty people who regularly chewed coca were compared to fifty people who were demographically similar but didn\u2019t chew coca. Over seven months, data was collected on markers such as serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and interviews were conducted to understand people's socioeconomic status, dietary habits and coca chewing\u00a0 practices.<\/span>\r\n\r\nResults showed that cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the group who chewed coca as shown below:<\/span>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Cholesterol and triglyceride reduction:<\/strong> <\/span>Chewing coca leaves correlated with lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides, potentially linked to altered lipid metabolism or appetite suppression.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Enzyme activity inhibition: <\/strong>Coca extract did not enhance digestion of fatty foods; instead, it may inhibit enzymatic pathways involved in lipid processing<\/span>.<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Nutritional implications: <\/strong>Lower cholesterol\/triglyceride levels in chewers align with prior findings of poorer nutritional markers (e.g. reduced serum albumin) in coca users, suggesting a trade-off between metabolic effects and malnutrition risks.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nThis shows that coca could potentially be helpful for the global metabolic health crisis. Coca could also be beneficial for obesity as it suppresses appetite naturally with minimal side effects (3).<\/span>\r\n

    Evaluation of the effect of coca leaf powder consumption on bone turnover in postmenopausal women<\/h3>\r\nA clinical study was conducted to investigate the effects of coca on bone turnover in postmenopausal women, as bone density rapidly decreases after menopause, putting people at risk of osteoporosis. A total of 21 participants volunteered for the research, all of them postmenopausal. They ingested 4 g of coca leaf powder mixed with water for 90 days while maintaining their regular diet and lifestyle (12).<\/span>\r\n\r\nDifferent biomarkers were measured that indicate bone turnover (which is the continuous process of bone breakdown and reformation). These include procollagen 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), N-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (NTX1), beta-crosslaps (\u03b2CTX), and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP). Blood samples were taken on days 1, 45 and 90 of the experiment. Antioxidant capacity was also measured (12).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nResults showed that markers of NTX1 were reduced, indicating reduced osteoclast activity. Osteoclasts are cells which break down bones, and so reducing their activity would suggest less bone degradation. Levels of P1NP increased, and P1NP indicates levels of bone formation, suggesting that coca could help with healthy bones (12).<\/span>\r\n\r\nThere are many mechanisms of action through which coca could be helpful for bone health. Coca is extremely rich in minerals, particularly calcium, and it has high antioxidant activity due to high levels of cofactors for antioxidant enzymes. Coca is also a source of insoluble dietary fibre, containing 38.02 g per 100 g.\u00a0 Research shows that colonic fermentation of non-digestible carbohydrates improves the absorption of minerals such as iron, magnesium, and calcium, which could contribute to increased bone density. Polyphenols in coca may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, supporting osteoblast function (osteoblasts facilitate bone formation) (12).<\/span>\r\n\r\nFurther studies are needed, but overall the preliminary data produced by this study supports the therapeutic use of coca for bone health in postmenopausal women (12). Whilst this study is valuable, the sample size is small and it was not blinded nor randomised, and had variable biomarker responses. Therefore, the evidence is not robust, but it does warrant further investigation. <\/span>\u00a0<\/b>\r\n

    Ethanol extract of <\/span>Schinus molle<\/span><\/i> L. (Molle) and <\/span>Erythroxylum coca<\/span><\/i> Lam (Coca): Antibacterial properties at different concentrations against Streptococcus mutans\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\nBacterial resistance to antibiotics is a major issue worldwide, and the pace of drug development is insufficient to tackle this crisis. An in vitro study was conducted on two species from Peru: Peruvian pepper (<\/span>Schinus molle),<\/span><\/i> also known as pink peppercorns, and coca (<\/span>Erythroxylum coca<\/span><\/i>) (13).<\/span>\r\n\r\nA total of 75 petri dishes were inoculated with <\/span>Streptococcus mutans<\/span><\/i>, and different extracts of the plants were added to the petri dishes to test their inhibitory effects on the bacteria. Ethanol extracts were made at 50% and 75%. Significant antibacterial activity was found with both extracts, with a stronger effect found in the 75% extract, with the greatest antibacterial effect at 48 hours over 24 hours. The antibacterial effects are attributed to the secondary metabolites, including alkaloids and flavonoids (13).<\/span>\r\n\r\nThis study provides evidence for the antibacterial potential of <\/span>E. coca<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>S. molle<\/span><\/i>, and warrants further research (13).\u00a0<\/span>","did_you_know":"In 1875, Scotland, Sir Robert Christison, president of the British Medical Association, tested the leaves as he took himself and 10 students to walk 30 miles over the countryside hills, including climbing 3200 feet up a mountain. He reported, \u201cOn arrival home before dinner, I felt neither hunger nor thirst, after complete abstinence from food and drink of every kind for nine hours, but upon dinner appearing in half an hour ample justice was done to it.\u201d At the time of the experiment, Robert was 78 (14).<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn February 2025, the\u00a0<\/span>McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy<\/span><\/a> hosted a\u00a0<\/span>historic coca summit<\/span><\/a> to bring together the leading voices on the topic of legalising coca. From indigenous people, researchers, ethnobotanists, scientists and policy makers, they all gathered to exchange knowledge and discuss how to propel this work forward ethically and respectfully. It was one of the first conferences of its kind discussing the coca issue.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>","additional_information_right":{"illustration":85808},"additional_information_left":{"botany":"Coca is a tropical shrub growing to 2\u20133 m in height. The key medicinal species of the Andes and Amazon are the cultivated varieties of<\/span> Erythroxylum coca<\/span><\/i> Lam. (var. <\/span>coca<\/span><\/i> and var. <\/span>ipadu<\/span><\/i>) and <\/span>E. novogranatense<\/span><\/i> (Morris) Heiron (var. <\/span>novogranatense<\/span><\/i> and var. <\/span>truxillense<\/span><\/i>). The leaves are, at most, a couple of centimetres in length, oval, with a darker green surface and lighter green underside (2). <\/span>\r\n\r\nA key feature is two longitudinal curved lines running parallel to the midvein in all species except E. <\/span>truxillense<\/span><\/i>. It is thought these are creases that occur during bud formation. Some cultivated species are infertile due to being propagated by stem cuttings (7,2). The flowers are small with five yellow-cream petals, with heart-shaped anthers and three pistils (2). <\/span>","common_names":"