Coca leaves is a plant that grows naturally in north-western South America (Peru and Bolivia), and has for several centuries played a significant role in traditional Andean culture and medicine.

There are two species of coca plant, Erythroxylum coca, and E. novogranatense, each has two varieties. The coca plant, which looks like a blackthorn bush, is well known as a precursor to making cocaine, and grows roughly two to three meters in height. The coca leaves are collected mostly in Colombia, Peru and Bolivia.

Coca leaves have been used by ancient humans for centuries as a natural stimulant and medicine. Tribes before the rise of the Incan empire, used the coca leaves to cure altitude sickness, and to stave off hunger, headaches, fatigue, stomach ailments and alleviate pain. Since ancient times, coca leaves have been a vital trade commodity between the lowlands, where it is grown, and the higher altitudes, where it is widely chewed by the local people.

Remnants of coca use have been found in archaeological evidence dating back over 6,000 years, with ancient mummies found buried with coca leaves supplies. Also statues and pottery have been discovered decorated with figurines showing the typical face of the coca chewer (bulging cheeks filled with coca).

Nutrition Benefits of the Coca Leaf

The coca leaf has been found to be a valuable dietary supplement. Several studies analyzed the nutrition characteristics of the coca leaf. Two notable ones include, a 2009 study published in the Food & Nutrition Bulletin (Can coca leaves contribute to improving the nutritional status of the Andean population?, Penny, Zavaleta, et al.) and a 1975 Harvard study (Nutritional Value of Coca Leaf, Duke, Aulick, Plowman). They found that per 100g the leaves contained:

• Carbohydrates (44.3 g)
• Protein (19.9 g)
• Fat (3.3 g)
• Fiber (14.2 g)
• Vitamin A (10,000 – 14,000 IU)
• Vitamin B1 (0.58 – 0.68 mg)
• Vitamin B2 (1.73 mg)
• Vitamin B6 (0.58 mg)
• Vitamin C (1.4 – 53 mg)
• Vitamin D (trace amounts)
• Vitamin E (16.72 mg)
• Calcium (990.18 – 1749 mg)
• Copper (1.1 mg)
• Iron (26.8 – 45.8 mg)
• Magnesium (197 – 225 mg)
• Phosphorus (637 mg)
• Zinc (2.63 – 3.8 mg)

According to a 1981 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology on the therapeutic value of coca in contemporary medicine, coca appears to be a useful treatment for various gastrointestinal ailments, motion sickness, and laryngeal fatigue. It can help in WEIGHT REDUCTION programs and PHYSICAL FITNESS, and may be a FAST-ACTING ANTIDEPRESSANT.

Ancient ruins which lay beneath house floors in Peru demonstrated evidence of coca leaves being chewed with calcium-rich rocks.

These rocks were burned to create an alkaline substance like lime and then chewed with coca leaves to activate the energy and health promoting natural chemicals.

Coca leaves contain a wide range of chemical compounds called alkaloids. In the modern era, the most well-known alkaloid is cocaine, which is extracted from coca leaves and finely purified by chemical processes.

But chewing the actual coca leaves for energy, health and medicinal reasons has long been known to be a pastime which dates back to at least 3000 years.

Other vitamins, nutrients, proteins and alkaloids inside the coca leaves have energy stimulating effects. Chewing coca leaves reduces hunger, burns fat and promotes digestion. Coca can also cure the side effects of high-altitude, a sickening health condition that occurs in low-oxygen environments such as high mountains in the Andes.

Humans chewing the coca plant leaves has been established to exist around 3,000 years ago, however, adding an alkaline substance to activate and draw out much more of the coca alkaloids – has been observed to be a more recent development.

Recently, Tom Dillehay of Vanderbilt University in the US has found concrete evidence where coca leaves were chewed and calcium rocks and seashells that were burned on fire and then scraped to supply an alkaline ash for chewing the coca leaves.

The actual proof and solid evidence was discovered buried under the floors of the homes of foraging tribes from Peru. These floors provided an ideal preservation ground of the remnants.

These ageing coca leaf samples and alkaline ashes were dated back to roughly 8,000 years old, but Dr Dillehay said that a further surprise was the distribution of the archaeological discovery.

“We discovered it not so much in a household context, as if it was something that was heavily used by most people, but somewhat… restricted to select few households of individuals and produced in a public context,” he explained.

“Based on our research and the evidence we discovered that unlike in the modern Western societies – where if you’ve got the money and wealth you can have access to medicinal plants – that seems not to be the case back in the ancient times.”

International moves are trying to diminish the coca production in Peru and Bolivia because of its association with cocaine, but Dr Dillehay argues that coca and cocaine are vastly different.

“Coca chewing is a recent historical tradition – meaning the last two thousand years – but it’s a deeply-rooted economic, social and religious tradition and practice in Peru and Bolivia.”

“The evidence is that the widespread use amongst the common people in that part of Peru and Bolivia is a comparatively recent thing; before then it was restricted to a privileged class. In other words, coca chewing was only allowed for kings, high priests and other royalty.”

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Your friend,

Alex