Catha edulis

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

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Last updated on: 29.10.2020

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Shrub of the Ethiopian and Somali highlands, which is used as a "mild" chewing drug by a large part of the population in Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen. Up to 2 m high tree from the Celastraceae family (spindle tree plants), which is, however, cultivated mainly as a shrub, with leathery, elliptical leaves. The white flowers are arranged in clusters. The main constituents of cath are alkaloids of the phenethylamine type. Cathinone is dominant, both in quantity and effect.

OccurrenceThis section has been translated automatically.

  • Originally found in the Horn of Africa. Today, Kath is mainly cultivated in Yemen, but partly also on the African east coast (grows only in locations between 1500 and 2000 m).
  • In some countries (Saudi Arabia, Egypt) the cultivation and use of Kath is prohibited.

EffectsThis section has been translated automatically.

The leaves of the cath shrub are used in cath chewing. Kath chewing is particularly common in Yemen. For this purpose, the fresh leaves are left in the mouth for several hours after chewing. Kath is said to have a euphoric effect and also increase the mental performance.

Clinical pictureThis section has been translated automatically.

As a result of khat chewing, hyperpigmentation of the oral mucosa, leukoplakia and, more frequently, carcinomas of the oral mucosa (see below carcinoma, verrucous) of the oesophagus and stomach are observed.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Ashri N, Gazi M (1990) More unusual pigmentations of the gingiva. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Catholic 70: 445-449
  2. Awange DO, Onyango JF (1993) Oral verrucous carcinoma: report of two cases and review of literature. East Afr Med J 70: 316-318
  3. Emmanouilidis T (2001) A look over the boundaries. The khat problem in Yemen. Surgeon 72: 110-111
  4. Gunaid AA et al (1995) Oesophageal and gastric carcinoma in the Republic of Yemen. Br J Cancer 71: 409-410
  5. Hill CM, Gibson A (1987) The oral and dental effects of q'at chewing. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 63: 433-436
  6. Soufi HE et al (1991) Khat and oral cancer. J Laryngol Otol 105: 643-645
  7. Toennes SW et al (2003) Pharmacokinetics of cathinone, cathine and norephedrine after the chewing of khat leaves. Br J Clin Pharmacol 56: 125-130

Authors

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer