HERBAL MONOGRAPHS COLA /205Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte.- Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
4/2 Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl.. Wiss. Verlagsges.
mbH Stuttgart 1997.
Cola
Cola acuminataCatechin tannins
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
Starch
EFFECTS
Cola's purine (caffeine) content makes it a strong CNS
stimulant. In humans it acts as a respiratory analeptic,
lipolytic, mildly positively chronotropic and mild diuretic. In
addition, it stimulates gastric acid and increases motility of
the gastrointestinal tract. In animal tests. Cola is also
analeptic, lipolytic, stimulates production of gastric acid and
increases gastric motility.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Approved by Commission E:- Lack of stamina
Unproven Uses: Cola is used internally to decrease mental
and physical fatigue. In folk medicine it is chewed to treat
diarrhea, suppress hunger, thirst, morning sickness and
migraine. It is also used to promote digestion. It is ground
and made into poultices for wounds and inflammations. Cola
is also an indigenous cult drug.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Use of Cola is contraindicated during pregnancy. The drug
should not be administered in the presence of stomach or
duodenal ulcers, due to the drug's stimulation of gastric juice
secretion.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Health risks following the proper administration of designat-
ed therapeutic dosages have not been recorded. Side effects
that may occur include difficulty falling asleep, hyperexcita-
bility, nervous states of restlessness and stomach complaints.
Signs of poisoning following the intake of Cola drinks (20 to
60 mg caffeine per glass) or medications or stimulants
containing Cola extracts are not expected. Small children
should avoid the intake of large quantities of Cola drinks.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Powdered drug and other galenic
preparations for internal use.
How Supplied: Capsules, tablets, tonics.
Preparation: Dry extract: from the percolation 1:1 with 45%
ethanol; fluid extract: percolation with 70% ethanol (V/V);
Cola tincture: 1:5 with 70% ethanol; Cola wine: 50 parts
fluid Cola extract with 850 parts Xeres wine and 100 parts
sugar syrup.
Daily Dosage: 2 to 6 g of Cola nut drug, usually taken 1 to
3 g, 3 times daily; 0.25 to 0.75 g of Cola extract: 2.5 to 7.5 g
of Cola liquid extract; 10 to 30 g of Cola tincture; 60 to
180 g of Cola wine.
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The seeds are the medicinal parts of the
plant.
Flower and Fruit: The male flowers with a diameter of 1.5
cm or the androgynous flowers with a diameter of 2.5 cm are
axillary or on branches in cymes of few flowers. The 5 part
chalice-shaped perigone is white to yellow and marked with
red on the inside. The star-shaped fruits have 5 coriaceous,
W thick, dark brown, unkeeled follicles arranged at right angles
to the stem. The fruits grow up to 20 cm long and 5 cm wide.
There are up to 14 ovate or square seeds of about 2.5 cm
diameter in 2 rows with a white fleshy seed shell. The seed
kernel is usually reddish or red, occasionally white.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is an evergreen tree 15 to
20 m tall. The trunk is branched down as far as the base. The
bark is dark green, rough and breaks off in pieces as it ages.
Branches have leaves only at their ends. The tough
coriaceous leaves are 15 to 18 era long and 10 cm wide,
elliptoid to ovate, and end in a curled and spiraled tip. Both
sides are dark green and glossy.
Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Togo, Sierra Leone and
Angola. It is found today in all tropical regions and
cultivated widely.
Production: The ripe fruit is harvested and the seeds are
removed and dried. Cola nut is the endosperm freed from the
testa of various Cola species, particularly Cola nitida.ft; Not to be Confused With: Other varieties of Cola, such as
Male kola which contains no caffeine.
Other Names: Kola Tree, Guru Nut, Cola Nut, Cola Seeds,
Bissy Nut
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Purine alkaloids: main alkaloid caffeine (0.6 - 3.7%),
additionally theobromine, theophylline
(+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin