Cola / kola nut Herbal Information

NAME
Kola nut


LATIN NAME
Cola nitida

ALSO KNOWN AS
Cola

ORIGIN
Kola nut is grown in Sierra Leone, Western Africa, as well as Brazil and the West Indies.

PARTS USED
Nuts


TRADITIONAL HERBAL USES AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF COLA / KOLA NUT
Cola / kola nut has been said to create a " marked stimulation in human conciousness, and can give rise to Euphoric states". It is one of nature's stimulants, containing caffeine. It stimulates the central nervous system, and acts as an anti- depressant. Cola / kola nut is a nerve tonic and heart tonic. It can reduce symptoms of asthma and it is an anti-oxident and diuretic. It stimulates concentration, enhances alertness and physical capacity. It has been known to improve the mood, suppress the appetite, and stimulate the sex drive.

Cola / kola nut combines well with Avena sativa, Damiana.

FOLKLORE AND HISTORY 0F COLA / KOLA NUT
In Africa it is a symbol of peace, friendship, and hospitality, a bit like the Indian peace pipe. It is seen as a sacred plant and used in fertility ceremonies. West Africans have been using Kola socially and medicinally since historic times. They chewed the seeds for their stimulating effect and as a treatment for fever. Slavery brought the Kola tree to Brazil and the Carribean. Kola arrived in the United States after the civil war, with a reputation that Carribean people ascribed "innumerable fabulous virtues." In the 19th centuary a now famous Atlanta pharmacist was experimenting with a new head ache remedy, mixing kola, coca and sugar in his backyard, he added carbonated water and created a a new refreshing drink…coca cola. Two years later he sold the recipe to an Atlanta business man and he begin marketing the drink.

CONSTITUENTS
Caffeine, theobromine, theophylline, catechine, epicatechine, D-catechine, phenoline, pholaphens, Kola Red, betaine, protein, starch, fat, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, ascorbic, acid, betaine, sugar, gum, cellulose, water, calcium, potassium, iron, beta carotene, tannic acid.


TYPICAL PREPARATIONS AND DOSAGE
SUGGESTED DOSAGE
Herbal Tincture
Extraction Ratio 1:3
Alcohol Vol. 45%
1-4 ml tincture 3 times a day

1 teaspoon powder 3 times a day (can be taken mixed into hot or cold milk, or hot water and sweetened with honey or agave syrup. Or alternatively blended into a smoothie.
OR as directed by a herbal practitioner.

PRECAUTIONS
Because Kola contains caffeine pregnant and breast feeding woman should avoid it as should people who have conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy, anxiety, fertility problems, heart disease, osteoporosis, insomnia, stomach distress.
Kola nuts contain high amounts of N-nitroso compounds which are carcinogenic. In Nigeria, where the chewing of Kola nuts is a common practice, there is a high incidence of oral and gastrointestinal cancer which may be related to this habit.