Understanding the coca leaf
We are advocating for the continued use of coca for the Indigenous and local people of whom it’s a sacred and medicinal plant, and to research coca for its future potential to support human health.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, doctors in Europe and America promoted cocaine as a wonder drug, among other indications, as a treatment for the then prevalent problem of morphine addiction. When the dangers of cocaine became apparent and its use increased dramatically in Europe and America, authorities blamed coca for all the trouble it caused. Their response was to enact national and international laws against coca, to prohibit indigenous use of it, and even to try to eradicate the plant in its native lands.
Coca Information Project - FAQ’s
What is coca leaf?
Coca is the leaf of several species of the Erythroxylum plant (Erythroxylum coca or Erythroxylum novogranatense), native to South America. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples in the Andes have chewed coca leaves or brewed them as tea for energy, focus, and relief from altitude effects.
Why does BPRA exclusively say “coca leaf” instead of coca?
BPRA uses the term “coca leaf” to clearly distinguish the traditional plant material from the isolated compound cocaine. “Coca” in its traditional context refers to the whole leaf, which has very different properties and cultural significance than the processed drug.
Is coca the same as coco(a)?
No. “Coco” or “cocoa” refers to the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree, which are used to make chocolate. Coca is a completely different plant species.
Is coca the same as cacao?
No. Cacao is the raw form of the chocolate-producing seed from the Theobroma cacao tree. Coca comes from the Erythroxylum plant and has no botanical or chemical relationship to cacao.
Is coca leaf the same as cocaine?
No. Cocaine is a purified alkaloid that is chemically extracted from coca leaves. Coca leaves in their natural form contain many beneficial nutrients and only small amounts of alkaloids. When chewed or brewed as tea, coca has a mild, coffee-like effect rather than the intense and harmful effects of cocaine.
Is coca leaf legal in the US?
Coca leaves are considered a Schedule II substance in the United States due to their natural cocaine content. Traditional coca tea and leaves are generally not legal to import or sell in the US without special permissions.
How many people use coca leaf every day?
It is estimated that millions of people in the Andes and Amazon regions chew coca or drink coca tea daily, primarily for cultural, medicinal, and occupational purposes.
What studies have been done on coca leaf?
Research on coca leaf has examined its nutritional properties, cardiovascular effects, altitude adaptation benefits, and mild stimulant qualities. However, scientific studies are limited due to international restrictions, and modern research of the coca leaf is still in its infancy.
Where does coca leaf grow?
Coca plants grow primarily in the Andean regions of South America, including Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. Some species also grow in lowland tropical areas.
How is coca leaf traditionally used?
Coca leaves are chewed with a small amount of natural alkaline substance (like plant ash) or brewed as tea. Traditional use helps support energy, focus, and adaptation to high altitudes.
Where is coca leaf traditionally used?
Coca is traditionally used in Andean countries - primarily Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador - both for daily sustenance and in ceremonial or cultural practices.
What should health care providers know about coca leaf tea?
Healthcare providers should be aware that coca tea has mild stimulant effects, may affect drug testing due to trace alkaloid content, and has cultural significance in Indigenous communities. It is not the same as cocaine and does not produce the same addictive effects when consumed in traditional ways.
Rolling Stone: Secret History of Coca by Dr. Wade Davis, April 6, 2025
Beyond Declassification: Detoxifying narratives around the coca leaf at United Nations with Dr. Wade Davis, November 7, 2024
Transnational Institute: the World Health Organization (WHO) will conduct a critical review of the coca leaf over the next year, July 15, 2024, with Dr. Wade Davis
Coca: Lessons for the Psychedelic Movement with Dr. Andrew Weil at SXSW, March 2024
The Sacred Coca Plant, an 8,000 Year History Dr. Andrew Weil and Wade Davis on Brainforest Café with Dennis McKenna
The Tim Ferriss Show: The Uses of Coca Leaf with Dr. Andrew Weil, August 22, 2022
Khoka Project - Coca Archive based in Medellín, Colombia
Understanding the Coca Leaf Review Process at United Nations
The New Yorker: The New Politics of Coca by Dr. Andrew Weil, May 7, 1995
NY Times Archive: Feb. 19,1978 Dr. Andrew Weil speaks on the need for coca leaf to be studied as a drug