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Coca leaf as a therapeutic agent

A T Weil

    The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
    |January 1, 1978
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Coca leaf, used for millennia by South American Indians, shows potential for treating gastrointestinal issues, motion sickness, and depression without toxicity or dependence. Further medical research into its therapeutic benefits is recommended.

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    Area of Science:

    • Ethnobotany
    • Pharmacology
    • Traditional Medicine

    Background:

    • Coca leaf has a long history of medicinal use among South American indigenous populations.
    • The plant contains various compounds, including cocaine, but its effects in leaf form differ from isolated cocaine.
    • Traditional uses include remedies for various ailments.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To explore the potential therapeutic applications of coca leaf.
    • To differentiate the effects of whole coca leaf from isolated cocaine.
    • To assess the safety profile of coca leaf in its natural form.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of historical ethnobotanical data.
    • Pharmacological analysis of coca leaf constituents.
    • Comparison of effects between whole coca leaf and isolated alkaloids.

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    Main Results:

    • Coca leaf demonstrates potential for treating gastrointestinal ailments and motion sickness.
    • It may serve as a fast-acting antidepressant and a stimulant substitute for coffee.
    • In leaf form, coca does not appear to cause toxicity or dependence.

    Conclusions:

    • Coca leaf, administered as a whole extract (e.g., in chewing gum), offers distinct therapeutic possibilities.
    • Its use as an adjunct for weight reduction and fitness programs is suggested.
    • Legal frameworks for coca exist, supporting further clinical investigation by physicians.