Spices & Medicinal herbs

HERBS	Angelica :: Aloe Vera :: Basil :: Chamomile :: Chives :: Coriander :: Dill :: Lemon Balm :: Musli :: Oregano :: Stevia
SPICES	Ajwain :: Allspice :: Bay Leaf :: Black Cardamon :: Green Cardamon :: Cinnamon :: Cloves :: Cumin :: Cayenne Pepper
VEGETABLES	Amaranth :: Breadfruit :: Brocolli :: Cauliflower :: Cucumber :: Drumstick :: Hijiki :: Garlic

Herbs Classifical of Herbs Herbs by Common Name Herbs by Property List of Herbs Alfalfa Allspice Aloe Vera Angelica Anise Annatto Arugula Agrimony Apple mint Asafoetida Avens Barberry Basil Bistort Boneset Bog Labrador Tea Borage Boldo Candle nut Capsicum Coriander Caraway Calamus Chamomile Chickweed Chives Cleavers Dill Echinacea Flax Fennel Lavender Kali Musli Lemon Balm Musli Oregano Stevia Spices Vegetables

Herb : Coca

(Botanical name: Erythroxylum coca)

Classification

• Kingdom- Plantae
• Division- Magnoliophyta
• Class- Magnoliopsida
• Order- Malpighiales
• Family- Erythroxylaceae
• Genus- Erythroxylum
• Species- E. coca

History

Coca plant has been introduced thousands of years back and has historic significance back to Andean times.

The earliest coca leaves were discovered in 2500-1800 BC, in Peru and the natives of South America have been using coca from centuries back.

The domestic use of coca is extends over to Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil.

Plant Description

The plant is similar to a bush plant and grows to a height of 7-10 ft tall.

The leaves are thin, opaque, and oval and have green tint. The branches are long and erect.

The flowers are small, bears on short stalks in little clusters; these flowers mature into red berries.

Cultivation

Coca is generally cultivated in lower altitudes of eastern slopes of andes, peru, Bolivia, venezula and chile.

Coca plant flourishes best in damp, hot and humid conditions.

Parts Used

Leaves

Constituents

Coca contains alkaloid cocaine which is the chief ingredient, other includes methylecgoninecinnamate, benzoylecgonine, truxilline, hydroxytropacocaine, tropacocaine, ecgonine, cuscohygrine, dihydrocuscohygrine, nicotine and hygrine.

Uses

• Coca is widely used as traditional medicine to treat fatigue, hunger, thirst, headache, rheumatism, wounds and sores.
• The uses of coca have been reported as to treat malaria, ulcers, asthma, improving digestion, and also possess properties of anodyne and aphrodisiac.
• The coca leaves are chewed in Peru and Bolivia to relieve nausea, stomach pains and also used as muscle stimulant.
• Coca is administered as poisoning antidotes to prevent cardiac failure.
• The leaves of coca are used to prepare a health tea which is common in Andean countries and considered beneficial for health.

Names

• Coca
• Cuca
• Cocaine