Qat

Plant with mildly stimulant effect. The leaves of the qat (also khat) plant, Catha edulis, are chewed in southwestern Arabia and eastern Africa for their mildly stimulant effect. Similar to the stimulant qualities of caffeine, qat is chewed in the company of others as an important form of social gathering. In this regard, gathering together to chew qat is akin to gathering in a coffee house to drink coffee or tea. Qat chewing is a major activity in Yemen, whose economic as well as social impact on the country is profound. It is also chewed in African countries like Somalia.