The COCA LEAF Thread

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Long time ago, I did a thread about the use of Coca in times of the Inca's Empire. As you can guess, the thread was killed due T&C violations in some of the replies, as I understood. That was one of my saddest moments in ATS. This is a second attempt to bring here real facts and information about the Coca and finish the ignorance around this incredible plant. Please take your time to read and watch any eventual video included.

The earliest origin of the word coca has been found in the Aymara word "koka" which simply means tree. In the Tiahuanaco culture the word "coca" is derived from the term "kuka" which means "plant."

The coca grows in western South America, including Peru, Colombia and parts of Bolivia. Today is also grown in Brazil, India and Pakistan.

The tree or coca plant can reach up to six meters, but because of the favorable condition of the harvest will cut the guides to just grow up to two meters.

The first indication of the use of Coca Leaf belong to the Valdivia Culture in Ecuador, around 3500 BC. Ceramic representations of people chewing coca leaves, this practice known as “Chacchar”, is similar to what people in North America do with tobacco.

In South America commercialize coca leaves is perfectly legal today. I found indigenous people selling the leaves on farmer's markets on the weekend many times, no robocops, no drug dealers, no dopes. Just like the next photo :

The consumption of coca leaf in Pre Inca cultures became very popular between the entire population, used as a pain reliever and stimulating physical work. When the Inca Empire was expanding to the north, the consumption of this product was restricted and controlled by the Empire.

The Inca banned the consumption and use of this plant by the regular population. The State seized a large percentage of coca crops and farms. Only the Inca, their relatives and some chiefs were allowed to use it.

Despite that, the coca was stored be used in times of war and also redistributed equally to the population in case of food shortage.
In those days, the people working at the coca farms belonging to the Inca were criminals, exposed to very difficult weather conditions and heat in these areas, so they collected the leaves of this plant as a form of criminal punishment.

The Inca also gave coca leaves as a gift to certain people as a form of imperial favor and appreciation. A great example of this is in a Spanish chronicle of 1570 which states that the Inca Huayna Capac had a habit of giving small bags of coca leaves to his favorite servers.

The coca leaf was considered as a "mystical plant" of religious use, a gift from the gods. One of the sources describe a peculiar way the Incas predicted omens, watching the flow of a spit after chewing coca in a hand with open fingers.

Another way the people had to pay tribute to the Inca Empire was through the labor, planting and harvesting the Inca's coca farms.

The Incas Empire didn’t use money and no currency was used. Instead, product exchange was performed. Products needed by the Empire could be exchanged for coca leaves.

For now, enough historical references. At this point we have clear how important the Coca was in ancient times. I'd like to continue with the properties of this plant as a food and a medicine.

I drank gallons of coca tea in my life, best time was after lunch. God knows how good it feels in your stomach. Now, in USA...., Pepto-Bismol?.....no way, won't touch that garbage.

I intentionally chose this video, because it's a turist who explains the coca tea. I guess more dependable for some members.

Coca tea (known in Peru as mate de coca) , is an herbal tea made from the leaves of the coca plant. The coca leaf is cut and put in a tea bag and is used as a normal tisane: by dipping a coca tea bag in hot water. Mate de coca is a very popular tisane in Peru where it is consumed as a digestive tea and even to treat altitude sickness. (that’s why it is so popular among the mountaineers who climb the Andes).

Traditional medical uses of coca are foremost as a stimulant to overcome fatigue, hunger, and thirst. It is considered particularly effective against altitude sickness. It also is used as an anaesthetic to alleviate the pain of headache and sores, etc. Before stronger anaesthetics were available, coca leaves were also used for broken bones, childbirth, and during trephining operations on the skull.

If you go one day to Cuzco, first thing you'll be offered is coca tea. Nobody is trying to drug you, just helping you to fight the altitude sickness. It's delicious too.

Is coca tea a drug?

Even tough the leaves of the coca plant contain several alkaloids including coc aine, it does not mean that coca leaf is equivalent to coc aine because to produce coc aine from the leaves it is needed several kilos of leaves and some chemical products and processes to extract a few grams of coc aine which is not the case when consuming the leaves naturally and directly as a tea.

The tiny quantities of alkaloid that are naturally present in coca leaves provide only a slight energising sensation and are not addicting at all. In Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, indigenous people chew coca leaves for energy to work all day long without eating.

Coca tea is sold in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador in the supermarkets besides the other kinds of teas, there is even no limitation of age to purchase coca tea. It is seen as another kind of tea in these countries and it is starting to be seen as so in the rest of the countries.

I chewed coca leaves many times in my trips to the Andes. No, I didn't get stoned and the only thing high were the montains. The effects of "chacchar" (chew) coca are similar to the effects of drinking coca tea, but more efficient. Of course, nobody goes to work or to study chewing coca. This practice is determinated for the demanding enviroment and traditions.

I like this video, a local and a turist sharing coca and having a little chat about the coca. Synthesize a great part of the thread.

The Coca is not the problem, TPTB one more time is the problem :


LINKS :

www.ecuador.com...
evolutionofdruguse.wordpress.com... aine/
lahojadecocaenelperu.blogspot.com...
www.jstor.org...
usodelacocaecuador.blogspot.com...
www.museodelacoca.com...
www.inkanat.com...

I have to use replies to add some more important information in batches to complete this thread :

Coca Leaf’s Alkaloids0
Posted by Aboutcocaleaf | Posted in Alkaloids Of Coca Leaf | Posted on 10-05-2011

The notable physical effect of coca leaves is mainly due to its alkaloids. So far, 14 have been isolated from the various varieties of coca plants. The alkaloids belong to the tropine series, together with atropine and scopolamine. Coca alkaloids are a mix of ecgonines, propynes and hygrines. The derivatives of ecgonine include coc aine (methyl benzoyl ecgonine), methyl ecgonine, benzoyl ecgonine and cinamyl-coc aine. The proteins include tropine and pseudotropine, dihydroxypyne, tropacoc aine and benzoyl tropine. The hygrines include hygrine, hygroline and cuscohygroline. The stereoisomers alpha and beta truxilline have also been isolated from coca leaves and the presence of nicotine has been noted. It appears that the leaf also contains insulin, but this has not yet been confirmed
Coca’s Natural alkaloids (14): 75mg
Ø atropine: dries the respiratory tract
Ø benzoine: aids scarring, anti-fermenting
Ø coc aine: anaesthetic, analgesic, stimulant
Ø cocamine: analgesic
Ø conine: powerful anaesthetic
Ø quinoline: prevents caries, affects Ca/P
Ø ecgonine: metabolizes sugars
Ø globulin: cardiac tonic, effective against altitude sickness
Ø hygrine: stimulates the salivary glands
Ø inuline: equivalent to B12, increases haemoglobin
Ø papaine: aids scarring, digestive
Ø pectin: absorbent, anti-diarrhoea
Ø pyridine: increases cerebral circulation
Ø reserpine: reduces arterial hypertension

aboutcocaleaf.com...

It's also still used in Coca Cola. Most of the coc aine is removed in the extract but adjuvants help to bring it back up. Now some of the other chemistry of the leaves is still in the decocainized leafs. Some of them are good for us....

Now, meet the "Cocamobile", just to make crystal clear how legal it is in Peru, all the products are made of coca. Even candy.






diariocorreo.pe...

After reading all that was already posted, it's time to face the stupid ignorance of media demonizing the Coca.

- She thinks Coco and Coca are the same.
- She thinks Coca is a narcotic.

......mmmm, better watch the video.

a reply to: rickymouse

Makes you wonder what happens to all the discarded chemicals? Surely the greed would be too much for such a company to handle? Not like the Gov could do much about it....they can't even make comparatively backwards lands like Iraq and Afghanistan submit, but they can regulate a multi-billion global brand? Puhlease.

a reply to: Trueman

While in Cuzco I went to a coca museum where I learned about the Goddess Mama Kuka and the legend of how the first coca leaves grew from her severed body parts. If youre ever in Cuzco its definately worth checking out.


"Mama Kuka - The coca Goddess, her name in Quechua means "mother coca". She is associated with health and joy. In Incan mythology Mama Kuka was originally a promiscuous woman who was cut in half by her many lovers. From her body grew the first coca plant the leaves of which are chewed to boost energy and are used by the Andean priests in ritual offerings known as k'intus."
www.goddess-guide.com...

a reply to: Trueman

This in some ways is new information for me. Unfortunately, the fact that governments, ours as well as others, will always make rules, laws, and truths that fit their agenda, which usually involves the hoarding and controlling of property and the storage of your money and valuable assets in their coffers.

There is no government "for" the people, unless those people are the rich and the rulers.

We continue to deceive ourselves, and believe that we live in a Democracy and that we have some say or control over our government. If this has ever been true, which I have really come to seriously doubt, it is not even close to being true now.

I will not say that we have become sheeple as so people often say; sheep have value. Most Shepherds have genuine concern and go the beyond to care and tend their sheep. Though most people are loyal followers and defenders of our government, they are treated with less regard then the poorest of shepherds.

Put coca in the same category as alcohol and cigarettes or make it marketable through the big drug companies and you will hear them singing a different tune. This will never happen of course, because it would alleviate the need for and the purchasing of all the other toxic pills and solutions that big pharma in pushing down our throats.

If coca leaves were made legal in the USA, people would be buying it up by the tons to make coc aine. This has become apparent after the legalization of MJ in a couple of states. People have already created labs to concentrate MJ and some big explosions have occurred.

People will stop at nothing to get a buzz. The bigger the better as some would think.

a reply to: eManym

Yep, a government that decides what you can and cannot put into your body is certainly a government concerned with "freedom" and "rights"...LOL. Getting into a ton of WW2 era political research and the parallels between modern US/nazi era Germany are astounding....and people have the audacity wonder how the Germans "let" those horrible actions happen under their nose.

I would like to see the long term effects on the body .. And teeth..also the heart..

Intresting topic , no doubt!

S&F

originally posted by: LightningStrikesHere
I would like to see the long term effects on the body .. And teeth..also the heart..

Intresting topic , no doubt!

S&F

the teethe go by by!

if i remember correctly its known by the locals that overdoing can cause issues when you get older. they have a name for people who over do it but i cannot remember it for the life of me?

[snip]

You can always tell the kind of society we live in by the drugs that have been pushed in our faces, coffee (have to keep the workers on the move), alcohol (must keep them braindead and stupid for when they have recreational time) and nicotine (no healthy properties whatsoever).

There are thousands of alternatives to all these and yet, we never seem to be aware of them all.

Hi you, starred and flagged. I think indigenous plants that are used by cultures for survival reasons and/or religious religions certainly shouldn't be offensive to others' points of views. I took a course in college and my professor specifically talked about the coca leaf and how it was used in famine situations to allow the people to take long trips, etc. to get to their goals and it wasn't viewed as "recreational" in any means, way, shape or form. She explained to me and the class that it is when a "drug" is taken out of it's cultural context and is used for recreation that it then becomes a problem. I get that, I respect that and never forgot that.

a reply to: Trueman

originally posted by: eManym
If coca leaves were made legal in the USA, people would be buying it up by the tons to make coc aine. This has become apparent after the legalization of MJ in a couple of states. People have already created labs to concentrate MJ and some big explosions have occurred.

People will stop at nothing to get a buzz. The bigger the better as some would think.

That's why the Inca had 100% of control over the Coca. Nobody had big amounts of Coca, only the Inca and the surplus was stored by the government. I described that in the initial post. Anyway, laboratories to process big amounts of Coca are usually located in remote areas, is not that easy.

a reply to: Trueman

I do think behind the scenes the Churches play a huge role in prohibition of indigenous plants and their uses. Their role is to intercede between man and God. However the Shamanic view that through the use of induced mental states one can enter the holy realms oneself is a direct threat to their very existence - and we can't have that can we?

The trouble seems that in order to cut down a threat a huge hammer is used instead which walks over cultures and people's rights. Slowly perhaps we will get an acceptable balance where all the uses for these plants can be available to all.

originally posted by: finitedualities
a reply to: eManym

Yep, a government that decides what you can and cannot put into your body is certainly a government concerned with "freedom" and "rights"...LOL. Getting into a ton of WW2 era political research and the parallels between modern US/nazi era Germany are astounding....and people have the audacity wonder how the Germans "let" those horrible actions happen under their nose.

I don't have better words to describe it, but I can thank your post with a song, "Green leaf of the Coca". (Notice the "Coca Reader", sort of andean version of runes reading).