Description
Coca Leaves
Coca Leaves; The uses in the Present and in the Past
Coca leaves have been chewed and brewed for tea traditionally for centuries among its indigenous people in the Andean-Amazon region – not causing any harm, rather being beneficial to human health.
A traditional method of chewing coca leaf, called chacchar or acullico, consists of keeping a saliva-soaked ball of coca leaves in the mouth together with an alkaline substance that assists in extracting the cocaine substance from the leaves.
coca leaves
La Mata de Coca
When chewed, coca acts as a mild stimulant and suppresses hunger, thirst, pain, and fatigue. It also helps overcome altitude sickness and helps ease stomach pain. Therefore coca chewing and drinking of coca tea is carried out daily by millions of people in the Andes without problems, and is considered sacred within indigenous cultures.
Coca tea is widely used, even outside the Andean Amazon region. The Coca plant has an established use spread among all social classes, as a result there is an increasing use of coca flour and coca products as a food supplement.
The use of coca leaves is a millennial tradition especially relevant throughout the Andean Region. Coca since ancient times was a mythical and sacred plant, used in rituals for more than 40 centuries. Until modern times it is still an indispensable component of sacred worship.
Medicinal Uses of the Coca Leaf
Traditional medical uses of coca are foremost as a stimulant to overcome fatigue, hunger, and thirst. It is considered particularly effective against altitude sickness. It also is used as an anesthetic and analgesic to alleviate the pain of headache, rheumatism, wounds and sores, etc. Before stronger anesthetics were available, it also was used for broken bones, childbirth, and during trepanning operations on the skull. The high calcium content in coca explains why people used it for bone fractures. Because coca constricts blood vessels, it also serves to oppose bleeding, and coca seeds were used for nosebleeds. Indigenous use of coca has also been reported as a treatment for malaria, ulcers, asthma, to improve digestion, to guard against bowel laxity, as an aphrodisiac, and credited with improving longevity. Modern studies have supported a number of these medical applications.
hoja de coca
Properties of Coca Leafs
Most notably it contains high levels of Calcium. Potassium, Fiber, Vitamins A, B1, B2 and B3. Proteins, Minerals and Alkaloids are also present.
Conclusion
We can incorporate these wonderful benefits of the coca leaf most often in tea form, however chewing the leaves is also a common practice. When chewed they produce a sense of warmth in the mouth and have a pleasant, pungent taste. In this, its natural form, coca does not produce toxicity or dependence. As mentioned in the introduction, coca leaf is native to certain parts of South America, like Peru, so the best way to take advantage of its unique benefits is to experience it for yourself.
Composition
Coca green leaves 100% pure and natural, no preservatives, artificial flavors or colors.
Scientific Name: Erythroxylum coca
coca leaves
How to use Coca Leaves
Tea: Boil hot water and add about 5 gr or equivalent to a handful of leaves. Wait until desired flavor and color and than let it sit a few minutes. You can add lemon and/or honey for better taste.
Chewing: 1) Gather a small amount of leaves in your clean hand. 2) Add llipta in the middle (optional). 3) Close it into a ball form. 4) Put it in the back side of your mouth. 5) Chew slowly and suck in the juice that comes out of the natural leaves.
Here’s a quick video that can serve you as a guide.
Now you are part of the coca~chewing Andean tradition.
Steven MacLeay –
My leaves arrived and they are good! Not too dry, the taste is superior to Bolivian leaves, and strong. Thank you.
morfeus_vm –
Excellent products !
Very satisfied !
Thanks very much Andean Leaves
Alexander Kirk –
Whooo!!! These are the real deal! I was so happy to have found these after years and years. Mint LLipta is excellent with this, I had not tried that before. I always used baking soda. N u m b i n g effect so you know these are authentic! So good and fresh, high quality and potent! The seller is very nice and it made it through customs without any issues. U S A delivered. Thank you!!
Marine LASSÉE –
J’ai commandée, mais pas reçu, qui n’est pas la faute de andrean, mais je n’arrive pas à joindre le service client…..
Personne ne me répond , j’aimerais les recevoir, recommandé, mais aucune infos, pourquoi ??
C’est trop dommage….
Andean –
Chère Marine,
Nous étions en vacances pour Pâques, également appelées semaines saintes, un temps de réflexion. Merci de patienter encore un peu, nous répondons à tous nos emails dans l’ordre. Nous allons résoudre ce problème ensemble.
Allan Duncan –
Al .thanks so much for the great service such a great product.. from Australia
Tammy –
Great products! Great service!! So pleased!! Thank you, Andean Leaves for being true to your word and providing the service you promise!!
kean jaggard –
great products and service. be patient with kindness and understanding.Thank you very much Andean leaves :))
morfeus_vm –
Really excellent products, shipping and customer service. Thanks very much Andean Leaves
Kenneth Kuiper –
First order, my package arrived in 2 months, this time much faster, 1 month. The product is very good. I’m a happy customer.
JAMES TAYLOR –
Package received in about 20 days. Customs opened the envelope but did nothing to the mylar bag with leaves. Definitely legit company.
B….. –
My order arrived on time.. product is superior in quality. Communication was great. I will absolutely be back for more. So glad I found you. Looking forward to the next time and customer service is exceptional
philip laing –
Once again I have received my order accurately and timely. I have used these products for some time and they benefit my life. Customer service will work with you. Thank you Andean Leaves.
Amy Bradley –
I am very pleased with the product, shipping time, and customer service. 100% Excellent.
S –
I forgot to mention in my review that these guys will take off the signature requirement upon request and are very responsive to emails!
S –
I was really surprised by how fast my order got to the midwest. I’ve been putting the coca powder and maca in smoothies, and am totally pleased with the effects. Thanks guys!
Jeff –
First time ordering for me I was a. Bit unsure but I got my product no problems,no complaints about anything.
I will most likely order again, nice people and company
Will –
I had been ordering coca product for several until I gave Inka Leaves a try. I’m glad I did; their powder seems fresher and more energizing and I enjoy trying the various products they offer–which others don’t. Their customer service is second to none also. I always get a personal email response to any questions; not a robomail response. I don’t order from anyone else anymore.
Alejandro –
Great product! My coca leaves and llipta arrived way ahead of schedule ready to use. I will order again. Highly recommend it
Josh Cruise –
Arrived one day after two weeks, that was fast! It smelled and tasted fresh. Top quality product in my opinion!
Frank –
I don’t know where to begin. I had nothing but the best experience purchasing from here! I ordered the leaves and llipta. Great quality products! I will definitely be purchasing more in the near future. I’m in Canada and it arrived in under 3 weeks. Dont hesitate!!
jimwillride –
Great quality and a really good company to work with. I just wish they were available more often, but I don’t know anything about supply issues, so I’m just grateful when they are here.
Sam –
These are great! I ordered some mint llipita to go with it, and it is a great addition to my daily routine. It takes a while to get them, but it is worth the wait. Unfortunately it says they are out of stock right now, so I’m hoping that changes soon.
wfa –
Amazing!! Simply amazing.
J –
I have ordered from many products from Andean Leaves: inka powder, coca leaves, lipta, hard candy, and chocolate (chocolate is usually melted but that is expected). I have never had trouble with shipping but I know several other people in different places have. They are a reliable company, the products are very good, they are usually relatively responsive, and do everything they can to make sure they make sure the order goes through. If it does not they will try to reship. This is of course the risk one takes when ordering product from another country. My review is simply to let anyone who’s interest that I have ordered multiple times from Andean Leaves since beginning of 2017 and I will continue to order from them. Currently they are out of stock with that leaves which I assume means problems with shipping. Don’t hold that against them. It’s expect.
Mr G –
CBSA seized my leaves not much u can do
$ lost since it’s so cheap a good gesture would have been to try shipping me more but they never did.
Shaun Hunter –
I ordered powdered leaves and that arrived promptly. Good quality and was very happy.
I didn’t receive the order of leaves but I appreciate about 10 to 20% don’t get through. Placing another order with fingers crossed
Charlie –
Makes fantastic cocoa paste if you know what I mean
CJ –
After trying other vendors, I will be sticking with this one. Their tea quality is top notch, aromatic, and the flavor is quite delicious! Next time I will definitely get some llipta.
Receiving my package wasn’t sketchy at all. Very discreet.
Truly couldn’t ask for more from a store that sells real plant medicines. 🙂
Martin Miller –
These leaves were delightful to the senses and their freshness was good. As always, the folks at Andeanleaves got my package in the post right away. The Inka leaves I had were just slightly more potent than the other variety that Andean leaves offers, however, I would not say they were so much better that I would prefer one over the other. Both are very good. Thank you AndeanLeaves, keep up the good work.
Kelly –
I wanted to add my review here. Shipping was fast (er then expected) and no troubles with customs or anything like that. Leaves look fresh and seem legit. Chewing produces slight numbness and an energy boost and when steeped in hot water make an amazing tea that’s not unlike green tea! Thanks so much!
Jean-Philippe Lauret –
Great quality product! The shipping is really fast and safe. I’m from North America and didn’t have no problem for custom check! Good job guys! I recommand!
jeffcomoletti –
I would just like to commend you guys on the quality and quantity of fresh leaves. These leaves are as fresh as ones you would buy in a market in Bolivia. I should know as I lived there for awhile. We are extremely lucky to have such a great seller available to us outside of Bolivia. There is no other sellers of leaves that even come close to there quality and prices. Thank you for doing what you do and doing it great !!!
Jeff C. Loyal buyer and supporter !!!
Alejandra –
It is working out for altitude, and I am breathing better