Celastraceae
Khat Leaf
Catha edulis
✗ High Risk
Avoid in Pregnancy
Native to: Ethiopia, Yemen, East Africa
Also known as: African Tea, Abyssinian Tea, Miraa, Qat
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
LeafStem
Therapeutic Uses
Fatigue (stimulant). CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE in most Western countries. Traditional East African and Yemeni social herb. Documentation only.
Herbal Actions
CNS stimulant (cathinone — amphetamine-like), appetite suppressant, euphoric (traditional)
Active Constituents
Cathinone (primary stimulant — phenylpropylamine class, degrades 36–48h post-harvest), cathine (norpseudoephedrine — Schedule IV), tannins, flavonoids
Preparation Methods
Fresh chewing
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | Fresh leaves chewed — not prepared as tea (cathinone unstable) |
| Tincture | Not applicable |
| Notes | LEGAL STATUS varies: controlled substance in UK, USA, EU, Canada. Legal in Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen. Cathinone degrades within 36–48 hours of harvest — fresh only. Addiction potential significant. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✗ High Risk
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
⚠ Known interactions
Contraindications: Controlled substance (most Western countries). Addiction. Cardiac effects. Psychosis risk.
Side Effects: Dependence. Cardiac arrhythmias. Insomnia. Oral cancer (chronic). Psychosis.