Erythroxylum novogranatense

Erythroxylum novogranatense is part of the family of Erythroxylaceae, which is mainly at home in South America, especially in Colombia and the surrounding regions. It belongs to the genus erythroxylum, which includes 270 species, several of which are known for their alkaloid -containing leaves. Erythroxylum novogranatense and erythroxylum coca are known in particular because they are the main sources for psychoactive alkaloid cocaine. These plants play an important role in the culture and economy of the Andean region and have a long history in traditional medicine.

Morphology and description

Erythroxylum novogranatense is a small shrub or tree that reaches a height of 2 to 3 meters. The plant has a smooth bark and branched stems. The leaves are alternately arranged, elliptical to egg -shaped, and reach a length of about 3 to 7 cm. The leaf surface is smooth and shiny, while the underside can be slightly hairy. The leaves of the plant are particularly remarkable because they contain the active alkaloids that give the plant their pharmaceutical and psychoactive properties.

The flowers of Erythroxylum novogranatense are small, white and inconspicuous. They grow in small groups in the leaf axils and are radial -symmetrical. After pollination, the plant develops small red or orange stone fruits that contain a single seed. These fruits are edible, but have no economic value.

Distribution and Habitat

Erythroxylum novogranatense is primarily native to the tropical regions of South America. The plant grows at altitudes between 500 and 1,500 meters, preferably in well -permeable floors and warm, damp climatic zones. However, it can be adapted to different environmental conditions and can thrive in a variety of habitats, from dry hills to damp forests.

There are two main varieties of Erythroxylum novogranatense: E. novogranate var. novogranatense, which is located in Colombia, and E. novogranate var. truxillensee, which occurs in Peru. These two varieties differ slightly in their morphological features and in the concentration of the alkaloids it contains.

Chemical composition

The leaves of erythroxylum novographs contain several alkaloids, of which cocaine is the most important. In addition to cocaine, other tropanalkaloids such as cinnamoylcocaine, truxillin and methylecgonin can also be found in the leaves. These alkaloids are known for their stimulating and anesthetic effects.

In the human body, cocaine acts as a serotonin-noradrenaline dopamine reuptake inhibitor, which leads to an increased mirror of these neurotransmitters in the brain. This effect is responsible for the euphoric and stimulating effect of cocaine. In traditional use, however, the leaves are mostly chewed or consumed in the form of tea, which means that the effect is milder than in the isolated and sophisticated form of alkaloid.

Traditional use

The use of Erythroxylum novogranatense and related species has a long tradition in the Andean regions of South America. The leaves have been chewed by the locals for centuries to relieve hunger, thirst and exhaustion, especially in the altitudes, where lack of oxygen leads to tiredness. In this traditional application, the chewing of the leaves is considered harmless, since the coconut content in the fresh leaves is very low.

In traditional medicine, the leaves are also used to treat stomach complaints, stimulants and to relieve pain. A tea from the leaves, known as Mate de Coca, is also consumed in some regions as mild stimulants and digestive aid.

Modern application and legal situation

The use of Erythroxylum novogranatense is strictly regulated in many countries, since the plant represents the source for the production of cocaine that is a strong addictive substance. The cultivation and trade in the plant is illegal in most countries, although it is still legally grown in some regions of South America, especially in Colombia, Peru and Bolivia, to use them for traditional purposes.

Modern scientific research has focused on the insulation of the alkaloids contained in the leaves, in particular on the pharmacological use of cocaine. While cocaine is abused as a leisure drug, it also has a limited application as a local anesthetic in medicine, especially in eye and ENT medicine.