C
Dosages (Coffee) — 9 g crude coffee charcoal/day; the single dose averaging 3 g (KOM) (I suspect
that thoroughly carbonized charcoal is pretty well devoid of methyl xanthines); 8 g powdered
coffee/720 ml water (TRA); 100–200 mg caffeine or 1.5 cups coffee for bronchodilation (TRA);
250–500 mg caffeine = 3 cups coffee for achlorhydria (TRA).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Coffee) — Commission E reports interactions
(but talking more about carbonized coffee charcoal than instant or real coffee): absorption of other
drugs (and minerals and vitamins) taken simultaneously might be reduced (AEH). Coffee has been
implicated in loss of calcium and magnesium in bones, which bodes ominous for osteoporosis
candidates. It can also inhibit or interfere with iron absorption and help elevate cholesterol (JLR1(8):4.
1995). Toxicologically harmless (up to 5 cups or 500 mg caffeine) for healthy adults habituated to
coffee (but hypertensive in neophytes taking 250 g coffee (1.25 cups), increasing systolic blood
pressure some 10 mm Hg). Gruenwald et al. cautions are not exactly the same echos I am used to.
They advise caution for those with disposition to convulsions and certain psychic disorders (such as
panic anxiety), nephrosis, sensitive cardiovascular system, and thyroid hyperfunction. Side effects
attributed in part to chlorogenic acid may include diarrhea, hyperacidity, inappetence, and stomach
irritation. Chronic consumption of >1500 mg/day can lead to diarrhea, dizziness, headache, inappe-
tence, irritability, palpitations, restlessness, sleeplessness, and vomiting. Higher doses lead to arrhyth-
mic spasms of different muscle groups, arrhythmic tachycardia, and opisthotonos. But not to worry!
Fatal poisonings “are not conceivable.” They do reiterate the reported death of a child after ingesting
5300 mg caffeine. Ironically, that coffee charcoal that Commission E promotes for mussy mucosa
might be the best antidote, along with sorbitol, for overdoses of caffeine. Nursing mothers may pass
caffeine-induced insomnia to the nursing baby. Pregnant women should avoid caffeine, never exceed-
ing 300 mg caffeine spread out over the day (PHR). LD50 caffeine = 5–10 g orl human (TRA).
Extracts (Coffee) — Not exactly an extract, the carbonized charcoal is described as absorbent and
astringent, like most charcoals. I hope that physicians will understand what is said in the Herbal
PDR, speaking of caffeine and not the charcoal, “it also increases the psychomotor stamina” (PHR).
Chlorogenic acid, like caffeine alone, can double gastric secretion (PHR). In hamsters, 20% green
coffee bean in diet impedes DMBA-induced tumors.COFFEE SENNA (Senna occidentalis (L.) Link.) +Synonym — Cassia occidentalis L.
Activities (Coffee Senna) — Abortifacient (f; JFM; ZUL); Analgesic (f; ZUL); Anthelminthic (1;
TRA; ZUL); Antibacterial (1; WO2; ZUL); Antidiuretic (f; JFM); Antiedemic (1; TRA); Antiin-
flammatory (1; TRA; WO2); Antipyretic (f; ZUL); Antiseptic (1; TRA; ZUL); Antispasmodic (f;
JFM); Cardiotoxic (1; AAB); Cholagogue (1; TRA; ZUL); Cicatrizant (f; ZUL); Depurative (f;
JFM; TRA); Diaphoretic (f; WO2); Diuretic (1; WO2; ZUL); Expectorant (f; WO2); Fungicide (1;
FNF; WO2; ZUL); Hemostat (f; ZUL); Hepatoprotective (1; TRA); Hypotensive (1; JFM; TRA);
Laxative (1; TRA; ZUL); Stomachic (f; WO2); Tonic (f; ZUL); Vermifuge (1; WO2).
Indications (Coffee Senna) — Aging (f; ZUL); Anemia (f; ZUL); Asthma (f; WO2); Bacteria (1;
WO2; ZUL); Bed Wetting (f; JFM); Blennorrhagia (f; ZUL); Biliousness (f; ZUL); Bleeding (f;
ZUL); Bone Ache (f; IED); Bronchosis (f; IED; ZUL); Bug Bite (f; ZUL); Cardiopathy (f; JFM;
ZUL); Caries (f; IED); Cataract (f; IED; JFM); Catarrh (f; IED); Childbirth (f; JFM; ZUL); Cirrhosis
(f; WO2); Colic (f; IED); Conjunctivosis (f; IED); Constipation (1; TRA; ZUL); Convulsion (f;
WO2; ZUL); Cough (f; ZUL); Cramp (f; IED; JFM; WO2); Debility (f; AAB); Dermatosis (f;
DEM; TRA; WO2); Diabetes (f; WO2); Diarrhea (f; WO2); Dysentery (f; WO2); Dysmenorrhea
(f; AAB; JFM); Edema (1; JFM; TRA); Encephalosis (1; WO2); Enterosis (f; IED; ZUL); Epilepsy
(f; IED); Fatigue (f; WO2); Fever (f; AAB; WO2; ZUL); Flu (f; AAB); Fracture (f; WO2); Fungus
(1; FNF; WO2; ZUL); Gastrosis (f; ZUL); Gonorrhea (f; WO2); Gout (f; ZUL); Guinea Worm (f;