Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Coca (Erythroxylum coca) leaves have a long history of traditional use among Indigenous peoples in the Andes for supporting stamina, alleviating fatigue, and improving mental alertness—effects often associated with the nervous system. The leaves are typically chewed or brewed as tea, and their mild stimulant effects are attributed to alkaloids, primarily cocaine, though in much lower concentrations than found in illicitly processed cocaine. Historical records dating back centuries document the use of coca leaves to combat altitude sickness, hunger, and exhaustion, all of which can be related to nervous system function. However, while coca leaves have clear psychoactive effects and can temporarily enhance alertness and reduce fatigue, there is limited modern scientific research specifically validating their use for supporting the nervous system in a therapeutic or health-promoting context. Most available research focuses on the pharmacology of cocaine itself rather than the traditional use of whole coca leaves. Nonetheless, the widespread and longstanding traditional use in Andean cultures for nervous system-related effects is well-documented in anthropological and ethnobotanical literature, justifying a moderate evidence rating from a traditional perspective.

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