MOMUTABUNGWA, OMUTABUNGARA Rwanda, KITANDWE, LUTANDWE Lugisu, NGONGO OR MUNYAGA Rukiga Official names: Catha edulis or Catha edulis Forssk
Street names: Khat, qat in Yemen, tschat in Ethiopia; miraa in Kenya; Abyssinian tea, African salad, African tea, Arabian tea, Bushman’s tea, chafta, chat, ciat, crafta, djimma, flower of paradise, ikwa, ischott, iubulu, kaad, kafta, kat, la salade, liss, liruti, mairongi, mandoma, maonj, marongi, mbugula mabwe, mhulu, miungi, mlonge, msabukinga, mas-bukinja, msuruti, msuvuti, msekera, muholo, muhulu, muirungi, mulungi, muraa, musitate, mutsawari, mwandama, mzengo, nangungwe, ol meraa, ol nerra, quat, salahin, seri, Somali tea, tohai, tohat, tsad, tschad, tschat, tshut, tumayot, waifo, warfi, warfo
Celastraceae is a family of one species, Catha edulis, also known as khat, or mirra.
Khat is typically cultivated as a shrub or small tree, sometimes reaching up to 15 m in height. The distribution area extends from S and E Africa to Arabia and Afghanistan. Main sources of Khat are Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen.
The major stimulants in Khat, found in the leaves and young stems, are natural amphetamines, known as phenethylamines, or khatamines. Cathinone is the main compound; nor are pseudoephedrine and pseudoephedrine also present. Cathione is unstable, thus it is common practice to chew only the freshest leaves.
Leaves are either chewed or taken as a hot water infusion. Typically around 200 – 400 grams of leaves are used per day, equivalent to 60 – 120 mg of alkaloids.
Chewing khat offers a stimulating and euphoric effect and is an ancient, socially accepted tradition in parts of Africa and Arabia. Long term usage can lead to addiction, as doe’s long term usage of other amphetamines.
Khat is considered to have an aphrodisiac effects.
The plant is traditionally used to treat malaria, cough, and asthma. It is sold in areas of Europe and Africa as an appetite suppressant.
Khat stimulates the mind and increases mental power and sociability while suppressing feelings of fatigue, hunger and thirst. In Kenya and Uganda it is often chewed with bubble gum.
. Both roots and bark decoction is used to allay hunger and prevent sleep.
ALLELUIA NUTRITIONAL CENTER 