Uses for Coca Leaves

Leaves from the South American coca plant are used by the Incas as a stimulant. The leaves produce a sense of well-being or euphoria when chewed. Most uses for the coca leaf are for illegal drugs such as cocaine, but the leaves also have some medicinal and religious uses in South American countries.

Anesthesiology

• One of the primary uses of the coca leaf is in anesthesiology. During operations, a coca leaf compound is used to numb the body of the patient. Synthetic drugs such as Novocain have replaced the coca leaves in most places, but in developing countries, the coca leaf is still used as an anesthetic.

Religious Rituals

• Coca leaves are still used in South American religious rituals to show respect for the Earth god. Part of the ritual consists of chewing a coca leaf while praying to the Earth god. The ritual dates back to pre-Inca societies and was part of the spiritual rites of the Inca. One of the highest rewards was being granted the right to chew the coca leaf. Many of these cultural rites are still followed today.

Heart Tonic

• Colombia allows the use of the coca leaf to make a heart tonic to speed up the heart and relieve a recuperating heart patient's pain. Most medicinal uses of the coca leaf have been replaced by synthetic drugs because the coca leaf is so addictive. Modern-day heart medication has replaced most of the tonics made from the coca leaf, but Colombia and other South American countries still allow the heart tonic for patients.

Herbal Medicine

• Herbal medicines are still manufactured from the coca leaf in South America. When mixed with a lime, the leaf releases a narcotic alkaloid. The mixture is used to treat problems such as nausea, vomiting and asthma in certain South American countries.