Kola nut

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Kola nut (Cola nitida) (credit: W.H. Hodge)

Caffeine-containing nut of two evergreen trees (Cola acuminata and C. nitida) of the cocoa family (Sterculiaceae), native to tropical Africa and cultivated extensively in the New World tropics. The trees grow to 60 ft (18.3 m) in height and have oblong leathery leaves, yellow flowers, and star-shaped fruit. The nut has been used in medicines and in soft drinks, though American "colas" today instead use synthetic flavorings that mimic its taste. Kola nuts are also used where grown as a medium of exchange or are chewed to diminish sensations of hunger and fatigue, to aid digestion, and to combat intoxication, hangover, and diarrhea.

For more information on kola nut, visit Britannica.com.

[KOH-lah] Caffeine and theobromine, used in the manufacture of some soft drinks, are derivatives of the cola nut, offspring of the cola tree that grows in Africa, South America and the West Indies. Chewing this nut is a favorite pastime of natives who claim it diminishes fatigue and thirst and (for some) has aphrodisiac properties.

Description

The kola nut, or bitter cola, (Cola vera, Cola acuminata, Cola nitida) is a seed part from a tree from the Sterculiaceae family. The trees are native to Central and Western Africa, but are now found in the West Indies and

Brazil, where they were introduced by African slaves. All three species are used as a stimulant and are prepared in the same manner. The kola tree grows to approximately 40 ft (12 m) in height, and has white to yellow flowers with spots that range from red to purple. The kola tree's leaves are 6–8 in long (15–20 cm) and the tree bears fruit that is shaped like a star. Inside the fruit, about a dozen round or square seeds can be found in a white seed shell.

General Use

Kola nut, which contains high amounts of caffeine, helps combat fatigue and is most commonly used as a central nervous system stimulant that focuses on the cerebrospinal centers. It also contains theobromine, a stimulant found in chocolate as well as in green tea. Kola nut also contains tannins, phenolics, phlobaphens, kola red, betaine, protein, starch, fat, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. The Journal of the American Medical Association advocates the use of kola over other stimulants, because it is not addictive and does not lead to depression. Because kola nut is also a diuretic, its use has been suggested for those with renal diseases, cardiac or renal edema and rheumatic and rheumatoid conditions. Most people around the world are familiar with kola; many have tasted it and do not even know it. In the 1800s, a pharmacist in Georgia took extracts of kola, sugar and coca and mixed them with carbonated water. His accountant tasted it and called it "Coca Cola." Today, Coca-Cola still uses kola in its original recipe.

Respiratory Conditions

Kola is widely used as a treatment for whooping cough and asthma, as the caffeine acts as a bronchodilator, expanding the bronchial air passages. A Journal of American Medicine cites a study of kola nut's effects on asthma that showed "the attack being cut short and the child's condition rapidly improved."

Gastrointestinal Disorders

In Africa, the fresh nuts are chewed as a ceremonial greeting, as a stimulant, and to help aid digestion, as kola nut stimulates gastric acid production. Kola nuts are also known to improve the taste of food and act as an appetite suppressant.

Other Conditions

The kola nut is also used to treat migraine headaches, because the caffeine and theobromine act as cerebral vasodilators (increase blood flow in the head) and, when used in a poultice, can be applied to external cuts and scrapes.

More recently, an ephedra/caffeine preparation made from kola nut extract and a Chinese medication known as Ma Huang was tested for safety and efficacy as part of a weight reduction program. The study indicated that the preparation improved the subjects' rate of weight loss and reduction in body fat without undesirable side effects.

The flavor of kola nut in cola beverages appears to be more effective than other flavors in disguising the taste of activated charcoal when the charcoal must be given as an antidote for accidental poisoning.

Preparations

The part of the seed known as the kola nut is the cotyledon, which is also called the seed leaf. The cotyledons are white and bitter when they are fresh, but they turn reddish with almost no taste when they are dried. Fresh nuts are difficult to find outside of the tropical areas where they are grown. Sometimes, the nuts are sold at African markets in international cities, like Washington D.C. The dried cotyledons are 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) long.

Dosage of kola nut should be 2–6 g per day, as 2.5–7.5 g of liquid extract or 10–30 g per day of tincture. Powdered cotyledons should be taken at 1-3 g per day, as a decoction, liquid extract, or tincture. For the decoction, boil 1-2 teaspoons in a cup of water and take three times a day. The liquid extract should be taken in a 1:1 solution of 60% alcohol at .6-1.2 ml three times a day. Tinctures in a 1:5 solution of 60% alcohol, with 1-4 ml of the cotyledons three times a day.

Precautions

Because of its use as a stimulant, kola nut should be used with caution. Patients should consult with their doctors, especially if they are taking other medications. Due to its caffeine content, kola nut should not be used by women who are pregnant or nursing a child. Also because of its caffeine content, it is not advisable for those suffering from insomnia or anxiety problems. In some cases, extreme restlessness and sleepnessness can occur. It should not be used by patients with a history of high blood pressure, heart trouble, palpitations, seizures, insomnia, heart disease, high cholesterol, or stroke. Research in Niger showed that the habitual chewing of kola nut can actually cause cardiac arrythmias, based on clinical trials using cats. Kola nut should not be used by those with stomach or duodenal ulcers because it increases gastric juice production and may add to gastrointestinal discomfort and disorders. Kola nut is also one of the top ten common food allergens, among cow's milk and chocolate. Kola nut is naturally very high in tannin, a white-to-yellow astringent powder that gets its name from its use as a textile and leather tanning agent. However, a University of Miami study shows that "tannins are increasingly recognized as dietary carcinogens and as antinutrients interfering with the system's full use of protein" and called for more studies correlating early death and regular kola nut use in third world countries. Kola nut should not be used for long periods of time.

Kola nut and cola beverages should be kept away from dogs, cats, and other domestic animals. The theobromine in kola nut (and in chocolate as well) can be fatal to these pets because they metabolize it much more slowly than humans.

Side Effects

Kola nut may cause insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, gastrointestinal problems, and tremors. If there is any indication of an overdose, diarrhea, nausea, and/or cramps may follow. Oral blisters have also been known to form.

Heavy use of kola nut or drinking large quantities of cola beverages has been associated with bone loss in adults and inhibition of bone formation in adolescents. Some practitioners are recommending that teenagers should restrict intake of soft drinks containing cola in order to lower their risk of osteoporosis in later life.

Interactions

Kola nut should not be used with muscle relaxants, heart medications, high blood pressure medication, nitrates and calcium-channel blockers.

Clinical experiments indicate that beverages containing cola increase the rate and extent of absorption of carbamazepine (Tegretol), a drug used to treat epilepsy and some forms of bipolar disorder. Kola nut has been reported to interact with tricyclic antidepressant medications and with MAO inhibitors. In general, patients taking any medication for anxiety or depression should consult their physician before taking preparations containing kola nut.

Resources

Books

Castleman, Michael. The Healing Herbs. New York: Bantam Books, 1995.

Periodicals

Boozer, C. N., P. A. Daly, P. Homel, et al. "Herbal Ephedra/Caffeine for Weight Loss: A 6-Month Randomized Safety and Efficacy Trial." International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders 26 (May 2002): 593-604.

Dagnone, D., D. Matsui, and M. J. Rieder. "Assessment of the Palatability of Vehicles for Activated Charcoal in Pediatric Volunteers." Pediatric Emergency Care 18 (February 2002): 19-21.

Malhotra, S., R. K. Dixit, and S. K. Garg. "Effect of an Acidic Beverage (Coca-Cola) on the Pharmacokinetics of Carbamazepine in Healthy Volunteers." Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology 24 (January-February 2002): 31-33.

Morton, J.F. "Widespread Tannin Intake Via Stimulants and Masticatories, Especially Guarana, Kola Nut, Betel Vine, and Accessories." Basic Life Sciences (1992): 739-65.

Reiling, Jennifer. "Therapeutics of Kola." Journal of the American Medical Association, (24 November 1999).

Root, A. W. "Bone Strength and the Adolescent." Adolescent Medicine 13 (February 2002): 53-72.

Speer, F. "Food Allergy: The 10 Common Offenders." American Family Physician (February 1976):106-12.

Organizations

Centre for International Ethnomedicinal Education and Research (CIEER). .

Other

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). "A Pet Owner's Guide to Common Small Animal Poisons." .

[Article by: Katherine Kim; Rebecca J. Frey, PhD]

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: bitter brown seed containing caffein; source of cola extract
  Synonym: kola nut

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (December 2008)

Kola Nut
Kola Nut — pod and seeds
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Malvaceae
Subfamily:	Sterculioideae
Genus:	Cola Schott & Endl.
Species
Selected species Cola acuminata Cola nitida Cola octoloboides Cola pachycarpa Cola philipi-jonesii Cola porphyrantha Cola praeacuta Cola reticulata Cola scheffleri Cola semecarpophylla Cola suboppositifolia Cola umbratilis Cola usambarensis Cola vera Cola verticillata

Kola nut (Cola) is a genus of about 125 species of trees native to the tropical rainforests of Africa, classified in the family Malvaceae, subfamily Sterculioideae (or treated in the separate family Sterculiaceae). It is related to the South American genus Theobroma (Cacao). They are evergreen trees, growing to 20 m tall, with glossy ovoid leaves up to 30 cm long.

Contents 1 Uses 2 Pharmacological effects 3 Chemical composition 4 Safety issues 5 History 6 Literary and film references 7 References

Uses

Cola acuminata

The kola nut has a bitter flavor and contains caffeine. It is chewed in many West African cultures, individually or in a group setting. It is often used ceremonially, presented to tribal chiefs or presented to guests. It is preferred among African Muslims, who are forbidden to drink alcohol. Chewing kola nut can ease hunger pangs. Frequent chewing of the kola nut can also lead to stained teeth. Among the urban youth of West Africa, kola nut is becoming less popular.

Outside mainland Africa, some species are cultivated for their nuts in Madagascar, Brazil, Jamaica and elsewhere in the humid tropics.

Kola nuts are often used to treat whooping cough and asthma. The caffeine present acts as a bronchodilator, expanding the bronchial air passages.

Pharmacological effects

Kola nuts are used mainly for their stimulant and euphoriant qualities. They have effects similar to other xanthine-containing herbs like cocoa, tea, coffee, guarana and yerba mate. However, the effects are distinctively different, producing a stronger state of euphoria and well being. They have stimulant effects on the central nervous system and heart. Animal experiments indicate that kola nuts have analeptic and lipolytic (fat-burning) properties, and stimulate the secretion of gastric juices. Human studies show kola nuts have positive chronotropic and weak diuretic effects. In humans it enhances alertness and physical energy, elevates mood, increases tactile sensitivity and suppresses the appetite. Autonomic changes include increased body temperature, increased blood pressure and increased respiratory rate. Effects may last up to 6 hours after ingestion.^{[citation needed]}

Chemical composition

• caffeine (2- 3.5 %)
• theobromine (1.0-2.5%)
• theophylline
• catechine
• epicatechine
• D-catechine
• phenolics
• phlobaphens
• betaine
• protein
• starch
• fat
• thiamine
• riboflavin
• niacin
• ascorbic acid
• sugar
• gum
• cellulose
• water
• calcium
• potassium
• iron
• beta-carotene
• tannic acid

Safety issues

Kola nuts contain high amounts of N-nitroso compounds which are carcinogenic. In Nigeria, where the chewing of Kola nuts is a common practice, there is a high incidence of oral and gastrointestinal cancer which may be related to this habit.^[1]

History

The use of the kola nut, like the coffee berry and tea leaf, appears to have ancient origins. It is chewed in many West African cultures, individually or in a social setting, to restore vitality and ease hunger pangs.

Literary and film references

Ceremonial sharing of the kola nut plays an important role in Chinua Achebe's 1958 novel Things Fall Apart.

In Chris Abani's novel Grace Land, the motif of kola nuts provide an important symbolic message preceding several chapters.

Fans of Southern California oldies radio station KOLA are affectionately known as "Kola Nuts."

References

• Germplasm Resources Information Network: Cola
• Kola Nut Tradition in Igboland (South-East Nigeria): Kola Nut Tradition
• Benjamin, LT Jr; Rogers AM, Rosenbaum A (1991 Jan). "Coca-Cola, caffeine, and mental deficiency: Harry Hollingworth and the Chattanooga trial of 1911". J Hist Behav Sci 27 (1): 42–55. PMID 2010614.
• Jarvis, Gail (May 21, 2002). The Rise and Fall of Cocaine Cola. Retrieved on 2006-08-19.
• James A. Duke (2001). Handbook of Nuts.
• Katherine Kim (2001). Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine.
• Mariama Bâ, "So Long a Letter"

1. ^ Atawodi SE, Mende P, Pfundstein B, Preussmann R, Spiegelhalder B (1995). "Nitrosatable amines and nitrosamide formation in natural stimulants: Cola acuminata, C. nitida and Garcinia cola". Food Chem Toxicol 33 (8): 625-630. doi:10.1016/0278-6915(95)00035-Z. PMID 7672735. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T6P-3YKM33Y-1F&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=4eb7f91ecb431fb877040f9317d2fef9. 

• Cola in West African plants - A Photo Guide.

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