Flower
Erythroxylon Coca

The beauty of Nature: photo of coca flower

Coca leaves have been chewed by South American Indians for many thousands of years to induce a mild and long-lasting euphoria. The Incas venerated coca. They used it in magical ceremonies and initiation rites. In the Inca period, the sacred leaf was regarded as far too good for ordinary Indians.

        The invading Spanish conquistadores were more practical - and cynical. They were impressed at coca's efficacy as a stimulant: 'The herb is so nutritious and invigorating that the Indians labour whole days without anything else.' The Spanish also needed native labour in their silver-mines. Work in the mines was extremely arduous; and taking coca reduces appetite and increases physical stamina. Hence there was a great surge in coca-use and the number of coqueros (coca-chewers).

E-mail
dave@bltc.com

01   02   03   04   05   06   07   08   09   10   11   12  
13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24  


More
HedWeb
HerbWeb
BLTC Research
Paradise-Engineering
The Hedonistic Imperative
Critique of Huxley's Brave New World
When Is It Best To Take Crack Cocaine?

coked swan image
The Good Drug Guide
The Responsible Parent's Guide
To Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family

BLTC Research logo