Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Coca (Erythroxylum coca) has a long history of traditional use among indigenous peoples of the Andes. One of its documented folk uses is to support circulation and alleviate symptoms such as cold hands and feet, which are often attributed to poor peripheral blood flow. The traditional rationale is that coca leaves, when chewed or brewed as tea, have mild stimulant and vasodilatory effects, which may help warm extremities. However, scientific research on coca’s efficacy for this specific use is sparse. Some studies have shown that coca alkaloids can stimulate the central nervous system and may cause mild increases in heart rate and blood pressure, which could theoretically improve blood flow to the periphery. Nevertheless, these effects are modest and not conclusively linked to the relief of cold hands and feet in clinical studies. Most of the evidence is anecdotal or based on ethnobotanical reports rather than controlled scientific trials. Therefore, while coca's use for this purpose is primarily justified by tradition and some plausible pharmacological mechanisms, the strength of the evidence is low, and it should not be considered a proven or reliable remedy for cold extremities outside its traditional context.

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