Catha edulis Seeds
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Catha edulis botanical description and general info

Botanical Name: Catha edulis (Celestraceae)

Common Names: Ghat; Khat, Abyssinian tea, African salad, African tea, Arabian tea, Bushman's tea, cat, catha, chafta, chat, ciat, crafta, djimma, four of paradise, ikwa, ischott, iubulu, kaad, kafta, kat, khat, la salade, liss, liruti, mairongi, mandoma, maonj, marongi, mbugula mabwe, mdimamadzi, meongi, mfeike, mhulu, mira, miraa, mirungi, miungi, mlonge, m'mke, msabukinga, masbukinja, msuruti, msuvuti, msekera, muholo, muhulu, muirungi, mulungi, muraa, musitate, mutsawari, mutsawhari, mutsawhri, mwandama, mzengo, nangungwe, ol meraa, ol nerra, qat, quat, salahin, seri, Somali tea, tohai, tohat, tsad, tschad, tschat, tshut, tumayot, waifo, warfi, warfo, Boesmanstee

Active Constituents: Cathinone; D-Amphetamine

Botanical description: Catha edulis (Celestraceae)

C. edulis is usually a shrub or small to medium-sized tree, reaching a height of more than 10 metres under favourable conditions. The bark is light grey and smooth in young trees, but becomes brown and rough in older specimens. The leaves are elliptic to oblong, pendulous, leathery, bright green and shiny above, paler below, with an evenly toothed margin. They have a characteristic drooping appearance (resembling a eucalypt from a distance). The small white flowers appear in dense axillary clusters, which usually appear in early winter (April to June). The fruit are small dry capsules, about 10 mm long. In late summer the reddish brown capsules split to release the narrowly winged seeds.

Catha edulis Historical and Shamanic Use:

The generic name Catha is derived from the Arabic common name for this plant khat and the specific name edulis is a Greek word meaning 'edible'. Khat chewing is an ancient tradition of the Afro-Arabian culture and the use has been well described in east Africa and in Yemen. It is not generally known that Catha edulis is used in much the same way in certain parts of South Africa.

In the traditional khat-chewing areas, twigs are harvested and the fresh leaves chewed within 24 hours. This produces energy and endurance to the user and freedom from hunger and fatigue during strenuous work and walking.

The common English name is bushman’s tea and tea is still occasionally brewed from the leaves. The fresh leaves are chewed, or an infusion of the leaves are taken orally for colds and flu, coughs, asthma, to assist in losing weight and for menstrual cramps.

The wood of Bushman's tea is also used for a number of purposes. It is hard and fine-grained, and therefore is good for firewood and furniture. The bark is also used as an insect repellent and the stem for fence poles.

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