Catha edulis
Qat
Catha edulis, commonly known as khat, is a flowering shrub native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Traditionally chewed for its stimulant effects, the plant contains cathinone, which acts similarly to amphetamines. It holds significant cultural importance in East Africa, though its use remains controversial.
- Scientific name: Catha edulis
- Family: Celastraceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Catha edulis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Celastrales and the family Celastraceae. Its taxonomic lineage concludes with the genus Catha.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Celastrales | WCVP |
| Family | Celastraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Catha | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Catha edulis, is referred to by various common names depending on the linguistic context. In Simplified Chinese (zh-hans, zh-cn), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), Hong Kong Cantonese (zh-hk), Singaporean Chinese (zh-sg), and Mainland Chinese (zh-cn), it is commonly known as 巧茶.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 巧茶 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 巧茶 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 巧茶 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 巧茶 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 巧茶 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 巧茶 | Wikidata |
| pl | Czuwaliczka jadalna | Wikidata |
| he | קאת | Wikidata |
| fr | Khat | Wikidata |
| af | Boesmanstee | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it is notably found within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moving toward the Horn of Africa, its presence is established in the Northeast Tropical regions of Eritrea and Ethiopia. The species also extends into the coastal areas of Somalia. Finally, its geographical range encompasses the territories of both Sudan and South Sudan.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known commonly as khat, is primarily valued for its plant leaves, which contain the psychoactive alkaloids responsible for its stimulant effects. These green leaves are typically harvested from the fresh shrubs and are consumed by chewing them to release their chemical properties. While the stems and twigs are sometimes included during the chewing process, it is the tender, young plant leaves that serve as the essential medicinal and recreational component of the species.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| plant leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Catha edulis has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cathinone, (+)-cathine, (-)-cathinone, (-)-norephedrine, 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione.
- Total chemicals
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 21
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cathinone | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| (+)-cathine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-cathinone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-norephedrine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,4-dimethyl-5-phenyloxazolidine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4-methyl-2-(trans-1-pentenyl)-5-phenyloxazolidine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cathine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acetone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Catha edulis has 4 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Stimulant, Antidepressant, Hepatotoxic, Psychoactive.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Stimulant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Psychoactive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Catha edulis has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Parkinson's disease, anemia, anorectic, anorexia, appetite suppressants.
- Total uses
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Parkinson's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anorectic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anorexia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| appetite suppressants | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| body weight | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cell death | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| decongestants | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| depression | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |