Coca
Coca
Coca (pronunciation: /ˈkoʊ.kə/) is a plant in the family Erythroxylaceae, native to western South America. The plant is grown as a cash crop in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, even in areas where its cultivation is unlawful.
Etymology
The word "Coca" originated from the Aymara language, which was then borrowed by the Quechua people, and finally entered Spanish in the 16th century.
Description
Coca is traditionally cultivated in the lower altitudes of the eastern slopes of the Andes (the Yungas), or the highlands depending on the species grown. Coca leaves are typically mixed with an alkaline substance (such as lime) and chewed into a wad that is retained in the mouth between gum and cheek (much in the same as chewing tobacco is chewed) and sucked of its juices. The juices are absorbed slowly by the mucous membrane of the inner cheek and by the gastrointestinal tract when swallowed. Alternatively, coca leaves can be infused in liquid and consumed like tea.
Uses
Ingesting coca leaves generally is an inefficient means of administering cocaine. Because cocaine is not absorbed well in the stomach, coca leaves are generally chewed into a wad that is retained in the mouth between gum and cheek (much in the same as chewing tobacco is chewed), and sucked of its juices. The juices are absorbed slowly by the mucous membrane of the inner cheek and by the gastrointestinal tract when swallowed. In this way, the coca does not travel through the liver and is instead processed by the kidney, leading to a more efficient and rapid absorption into the bloodstream. This method also avoids the damagingly high concentrations that would result from giving the drug as a single dose.
Related Terms
- Cocaine: An alkaloid substance present in coca leaves.
- Erythroxylaceae: The family of plants to which the coca plant belongs.
- Alkaloid: A class of naturally occurring organic compounds that mostly contain basic nitrogen atoms.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Coca
- Wikipedia's article - Coca
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