Khat | vital.ly

Khat

Scientific names: Catha edulis, Celastrus edulis

Family: Celastraceae

Alternate names: Abessinischer Tea, Abyssinian Tea, Arabian-Tea, Chaat, Chat, Gat, Ghat, Hagigat, Kafta, Kat, Kathine, Kus es Salahin, Miraa, Qaad, Qat, Qut, Radaee, Somali Tea, Tchaad, Thé Abyssin, Thé Arabe, Thé Somalien, Tohai, Tohat, Tschat, Tschut

Actions: Adrenergic, Cardiovascular, Cellular, Gastrointestinal, Oxidative, Reproductive, Stimulatory, Sympathomimetic, Tolerance and dependence

Scientific names: Catha edulis, Celastrus edulis

Family: Celastraceae

Actions: Adrenergic, Cardiovascular, Cellular, Gastrointestinal, Oxidative, Reproductive, Stimulatory, Sympathomimetic, Tolerance and dependence

Background

Khat is a plant. The leaves and stem have been traditionally chewed by people in East African countries as a recreational drug to elevate mood (as a euphoriant).

As a medicine, khat leaf is used for diabetes, muscle strength, to lower the need for food and sleep, and to increase aggression, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

The World Health Organization (WHO) lists khat as a drug that creates "dependence" in people, meaning it produces a continuing desire to keep using it. It is banned in countries like the US and Canada. However, it is legal in some European countries. Khat is used by many people from East Africa and Yemen.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Khat is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for most people. Although it isn't associated with physical addiction, it can cause psychological dependence. When people try to stop chewing khat, they may experience withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms include irritation, nervousness, depression, loss of appetite, trembling, feeling hot, sleep problems, and nightmares.

Khat can also cause many side effects including mood changes, hyperactivity, aggressiveness, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, manic behavior, paranoia, and psychosis. Trouble sleeping, loss of energy, and lack of concentration usually follow after use of khat. Severe side effects from khat include migraine, bleeding in the brain, heart attack, changes to blood vessels, lung problems, liver damage, and changes in sex drive and sexual performance.

Chewing khat leaves has led to infections that can cause problems such as pain below the ribs, changes in white blood cells, and an enlarged liver. This is probably from contamination of fresh, damp khat leaves.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to take khat by mouth if you are pregnant. Khat may lower birth weight and cause problems for the mother. It is also POSSIBLY UNSAFE to take khat by mouth if you are breast-feeding. Some of the active chemicals it contains can pass into breast-milk and reduce the amount of breast-milk produced. Avoid use.

Depression: Chewing khat might make people feel depressed. This might be especially unsafe in people who already have depression. Avoid use.

Diabetes: Using khat seems to increase levels of blood sugar in people with diabetes. Avoid use.

High blood pressure: Khat might increase blood pressure. This might be especially unsafe in people who already have high blood pressure. Avoid use.

Effectiveness

Effective Effectiveness definitions

There is interest in using khat for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of khat depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for khat. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox)

Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.

Khat might reduce how much amoxicillin the body absorbs. This might decrease how well amoxicillin works. If you are taking amoxicillin, only chew khat more than 2 hours before or after taking amoxicillin.

Chloroquine (Aralen)

Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.

Chewing khat might reduce the amount of chloroquine that the body can absorb and use. This might reduce the effectiveness of chloroquine. People taking chloroquine for the treatment or prevention of malaria should avoid chewing khat.