Introduction to Catha Edulis: origin and morphology
Catha Edulis, Also known as qat, khat, cat, jat, gat, qaad, tschat, mairungi, o miraa, is a plant belonging to the family Celastraceae. Native to the tropical regions of northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, this shrub or small tree can reach heights of between 5 and 8 meters. Its leaves, bright green color y lanceolate shape, measuring between 5 and 10 cm long and between 1 and 4 cm wide. The flowers, grouped in short axillary racemes, are small and white, while the fruits consist of oblong capsules with one to three seeds.
Throughout history, it has played a central role in the cultures of Somalia, Ethiopia, and Yemen, and its use has spread among migrant communities from the Horn of Africa to different parts of the world, including Europe and America. Thanks to its powerful stimulating effects, its leaves are the object of harvesting, trade and traditional and ritual consumption.
Chemical composition and active ingredients
The fresh leaves of Catha Edulis They mainly contain psychotropic alkaloids, the most important being the cathinone and sea buckthorn. The cathinone It is the most potent compound and responsible for its stimulating effects. Its chemical structure is similar to that of amphetamine, which is why khat is classified as the most potent plant stimulant currently known. Cathinone, when exposed to air and as the leaves dry, transforms into sea buckthorn (d-norpseudoephedrine), an alkaloid with similar but significantly milder effects.
Concentrations of cathinone ranging from 0,034% to 0,076% have been found in leaves from Yemen, while fresh leaves from Ethiopia may contain up to 0,9 mg of cathinone per leaf. It also contains small amounts of ephedrine, pervitin (German trade name for methamphetamine), and Vitamin C, which helps mitigate some unwanted side effects associated with stimulant alkaloids, such as post-consumption depression.
Leaf content and potency may vary depending on climate, soil type, plant age, harvesting method, and the time between harvesting and consumption. To preserve the cathinone, it is essential that the leaves are consumed fresh or be frozen immediately after harvesting, since when dried quickly they lose their effectiveness and the effects are considerably softened.
Traditional uses and forms of consumption
Consumption Catha Edulis It is an ancient practice deeply rooted in the social, ritual, and daily life of many peoples of the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The most characteristic use is chew fresh leaves, a process that allows the gradual release of the active ingredients through the oral mucosa. Traditionally, the leaves should be chewed slowly, holding the bolus in the cheek for several minutes to extract the maximum amount of juice, before spitting out or swallowing the remains.
A typical chewing session can involve between 100 and 200 grams of fresh leaves per person. In Yemen, for example, the roasted and ground leaves have occasionally been used to prepare a coffee-like beverage, while in other regions they are also smoked alone or mixed with tobacco or cannabis, which is said to enhance their effects.
Infusing fresh leaves is another traditional method, especially when access to freshly harvested leaves is limited. In some areas, dried leaves are used to make tea. Kat, as it is popularly known, has been used in social celebrations, family gatherings, and hospitality rituals for centuries, serving as a symbol of conviviality and communication.
Today, its use has spread to African and Arab communities in Europe and the Americas, where fresh leaf imports are common, particularly through commercial flights and expedited shipments that guarantee freshness and potency.
Cultural and social impact of Catha edulis consumption
Catha Edulis It has transcended its function as a stimulant to become an element of identity in the communities where it is consumed. The collective act of chewing leaves is associated with hospitality, social exchange, and the celebration of important events, both in everyday life and on festive occasions. Among young immigrants from the Horn of Africa in Western cities, khat use has served to maintain cultural ties with their countries of origin.
Its use is accepted and socially valued in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Yemen, although abuse levels tend to be higher in large cities with immigrant populations. Consumption can occur both individually and in groups, and leaf-chewing gatherings often last several hours, often accompanied by conversation, music, and food.
In rural and urban areas, khat is part of the intangible heritage; however, its continued use and growing popularity outside of traditional contexts have sparked debates about its implications for public health and cultural integration, especially in countries where the substance is restricted or illegal.
Stimulating properties and effects on the body
The main effect of the cathinone and sea buckthorn It is the stimulation of the central nervous systemConsumers report feelings of euphoria, increase in Energy and motivation, temporary reduction of tiredness, hunger and sleep, greater concentration capacity, mental clarity, optimism and increases in sociability.
The oral absorption process ensures that the effects, although dense and prolonged, occur more gradually than synthetic drugs such as amphetamine or methamphetamine. An individual initially experiences a period of well-being and elation, followed by a period of depression that may involve fatigue and weakness, especially in the case of intensive or prolonged use.
Stimulation is accompanied by an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, physical and mental hyperactivity, talkativeness, and, occasionally, impulsive behavior. These effects, although less intense than those caused by cocaine or methamphetamine, can last for several hours depending on the amount consumed, the potency of the leaves, and individual tolerance.
Recent studies have explored the relationship between khat use and cognitive abilities, indicating that although users can perform inhibitory control tasks similarly to non-users, they also require more time to process cues requiring response inhibition.
Side effects and dangers of khat use
Consumption Catha Edulis, especially in a prolonged or abusive manner, can lead to various Side effects and risks to physical and mental health:
- Oropharyngeal irritations and inflammation of the oral mucosa, with dry feeling and a tendency to inflammation after continued use.
- Gastrointestinal: appearance of nausea, stomach pain and digestive discomfort, especially in new users or after excessive consumption.
- Cardiovascular: significant increase in blood pressure and heart rate, which represents a danger for people with heart disease or hypertension.
- Loss of appetite and sleep, which can lead to insomnia and anorexia when consumption is maintained over time.
- Psychological disordersAfter the euphoric phase, a mild depression or feeling of fatigue is common. Repeated and abusive use can trigger toxic psychosis, characterized by mania, delusions of grandeur, paranoia, and, in extreme cases, hallucinations.
- Specific cases have been reported induced psychosis due to prolonged use of khat, especially in users with a predisposition or psychiatric history.
- Decreased sex drive: Long-term, daily use may be associated with reduced libido and dysfunction problems.
- For people with serious pre-existing conditions, such as cardiovascular disorders, consumption is especially dangerous and should be avoided.
Chronic use also affects the productivity and and motivation, which can lead to a decrease in performance and alterations in behavior and social and family life. However, the World Health Organization has pointed out that khat does not produce physical dependence in the classic sense (as occurs with opiates), although it can generate psychological dependence in some individuals.
Legal aspects and international regulation
El legal status de Catha Edulis varies widely by country:
- In some African and Middle Eastern countries, such as Yemen, Somalia, and Djibouti, its consumption and trade are legal and culturally accepted.
- In much of Europe, the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Ethiopia, the live plant is generally legal, but possession and trade of fresh leaves are prohibited, as are its active ingredients, especially cathinone, because they are included on international lists of controlled substances.
- In Spain, the sale of leaves for therapeutic use outside the pharmaceutical market is prohibited, and cathine can only be dispensed with a medical prescription. However, the live plant may be kept for ornamental purposes.
- La cathinone, due to its potency, is listed in List I of the Vienna Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
- Sometimes, laws permit the sale of dried leaves for making tea, as is the case in certain Arab countries, while possession and trafficking of fresh leaves are criminally prosecuted.
Legal control responds to the concern for the addictive potential, public health risks and its possible use as a chemical precursor for the synthesis of more potent drugs, although various studies have placed the risk of khat at levels much lower than other legal and illegal substances, such as alcohol, tobacco or barbiturates.
Cultivation and management of Catha edulis
The cultivation of Catha Edulis It is preferably propagated by sowing fresh seeds or by cuttings, a technique that requires patience, as the shrub can take between three and eight years to reach maturity enough to be harvested. It is a hardy and resilient plant, which can live between 30 and 100 years.
- Soil and irrigation: It requires well-drained soil, preferably sandy or a mix of cactus soil, and grows well in both semi-shaded and sunny locations. Efficient drainage is essential to prevent fungal attacks, especially during the sprouting and development stages.
- Siembra: Seeds are planted about 5 cm deep in spring. Germination can take a week, depending on factors such as humidity, temperature, and substrate. Direct sunlight should be avoided for young seedlings.
- Transplant: When they reach 5-10 cm, the plants can be transplanted into individual pots with a mixture of soil and perlite in equal parts to promote drainage, as well as gravel at the base of the container.
- El Cat It does not tolerate excess water well; it is preferable to keep the substrate slightly moist and ensure regular drying periods between waterings.
- Pruning and maintenance: From a cutting, the plant requires about five years to be ready for pruning. It tolerates poor soils and low humidity requirements well, with annual rainfall between 70 and 80 cc.
- La height The end of the plant can reach between 3,5 and up to 8 meters, generating bronze-colored leaves that are highly appreciated for ornamental purposes.
In various regions, cultivation is carried out both in rural family gardens and on a large scale to supply local and export markets. The main producing areas include Ethiopia, Yemen, Kenya, Madagascar, Israel, Zambia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, and to a lesser extent, some areas of southern Europe and the Canary Islands where similar species with similar properties exist.
Varieties, botanical synonyms and related species
Catha edulis has several botanical synonyms, derived from its variability and geographic distribution. These include:
- Catha forsskalii A.Rich.
- Catha inermis JFGmel.
- Celastrus edulis Vahl.
- Celastrus tsaad Ferreira & Galeotti ex Walp.
- Dillonia abyssinica Sacleux.
- Methyscophyllum glaucum Eckl. & Zeyh.
- Trigonotheca serrata Hochst.
In the Iberian Peninsula is the hawthorn (Catha europaea, also known as Maytenus senegalensis var. europaeus), considered by some experts to have properties and principles similar to Catha edulis. In the Canary Islands, peralillo (Maytenus canariensis or Catha cassinoides) has traditional medicinal applications as an antirheumatic and anorectic agent, with similar stimulating effects although of lesser intensity.
Economy and international trade
Trade in cat It represents a key economic activity in several producing regions. In countries where it is legal, the price of leaf bunches is relatively low. However, in international markets where consumption is prohibited or restricted, the cost can multiply several times over, reaching significant figures per kilogram.
Transportation and marketing require efficient logistics to ensure the product's freshness and potency. Transoceanic shipments have been documented, especially to African and Arab communities in Europe and North America, as well as significant seizures at airports and border ports, underscoring the boom in international trade and the challenges associated with the ban.
The study and analysis of Catha Edulis allows us to understand its impact at a social and legal level. Its consumption, although traditional and socially valued in many cultures, implies significant risks to physical and mental health, especially among vulnerable or habitual users. Regulation fluctuates based on public health criteria, drug control, and respect for cultural traditions, generating a complex debate about its legal status and the appropriateness of its uses.
The information presented here integrates the most current research, traditional experience, and available scientific evidence, reflecting the richness and difficulty of addressing the issue of khat in all its complexity. As with many other aspects of the relationship between humans and psychoactive plants, the balance between cultural respect, risk prevention, and scientific rigor will continue to determine the future of the debate on khat. Catha Edulis.