Catha edulis

Cath·a ed·u·lis

(kath'ă ed'yū-lis), A plant of Ethiopia and Arabia (family Celastraceae), cultivated for use as a stimulant; khat (the fresh leaves and twigs) is chewed or used in the preparation of a beverage; the active principle is pharmacologically related to the amphetamines, probably d-norisoephedrine. [Ar. khat]

Drug slang A regional term for amphetamine
Herbal medicine A shrub with a high content of d-norpseudoephedrine, a CNS stimulant; consumed as a leaf—in a similar fashion to that of coca—khat increases alertness, relieves hunger and fatigue, and produces mild euphoria. See Herbal medicine
Substance abuse The dried bitter leaves of Catha edulis, an evergreen shrub from eastern Africa—e.g., Somalia, Ethiopia—and Yemen; khat is chewed for its stimulatory and euphoric effects by millions in the Saudi peninsula. It contains cathinone—a DEA Schedule I controlled substance—an amphetamine-like alkaloid, which causes excitement, euphoria and anorexia

Catha edulis

Catha edulis

Cath·a ed·u·lis

Catha edulis

Words related to Catha edulis

noun a shrub that is cultivated by Arabs for its leaves which are chewed or used to make tea

Related Words