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Seeds of Species with Stimulant Properties :
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Acacia abyssinica
Albizia anthelmintica
Cissus quandrangularis :
There is a complex of stimulants cooked with food and eaten by Maasai warriors to attain courage, bravery and endurance. This includes : Acacia spp. (A. nilotica, A seyal bark & A. abyssinica roots), Albizia anthelmintica bark, Cissus quandrangularis, Maesa lanceolata fruit and/or roots, Pappea capensis bark and others. LEHMANN & MIHALYI 1982.
Adenia gummifera :
Infusions made from a small piece of root are administered as emetic tonics or stimulants for seediness or depression.
Sprinkling protective charms are made from the plant.
Unspecified parts of the plant are used to treat sharp pains in the chest.
Agathosma betulina :
Buchu has stimulant effects and is also used in weight-loss products.
Athrixia elata :
The Chuanas use a decoction of this herb as a stimulant.
Catha edulis :
Chat is believed to have 501 different kinds of cures equaling the numerical value of the letters of its Arabic name,
Ga-a-t (400 + 100 + 1).
The root is used in some parts of Africa as a remedy for influenza, for stomach troubles and diseases of the chest.
The leaf has a euphoric and stimulatory effect which produces a marked release from fatigue and hunger.
Imperata cylindrical :
Used as a restorative for tiredness or weakness.
Lobelia pinifolia :
The resinous root is taken as a stimulant.
Mentha aquatica :
Used as a stimulant.
The Xhosas, Chuanas, and Sutos use the plant as a tea substitute.
Infusions are used as sprinkling charms against evil.
Mimosa nilotica :
The Maasai of east Africa use a drug called Olkiloriti which is obtained from the preparation of the root and bark of the Mimosa nilotica tree. It is used as a narcotic, excitant, stimulant, and to prevent hunger and thirst. Warriors use Olkiloriti prior to battle in order to enter a state of frenzy, and to prevent fear & fatigue.
Medicinally, Olkiloriti is used by the Maasai to aid digestion, treat dysentery, tuberculosis and impotence.
In East Africa the bark is used as a stimulant. The root is also used as an aphrodisiac and to treat impotence.
Mimosa nilotica is also a source of antioxidants. Some crude extracts seem to have stronger antioxidant properties than either vitamin C or vitamin E.
Compounds found in the leaves include N,N-dimethyl-tryptamine, and tetrahydroharmane (Bhakuni et al. 1969).
Pollichia campestris :
A decoction is used as a refreshing additive to the bath.
The fruits are edible, and are eaten by Suto children. The fruits are white, fleshy, edible, and pleasantly flavored - rather like white mulberries.
Rhamnus prinoides :
The roots are used to enhance narcosis.
The leaves are used as a stimulant.
R. prinoides leaves and wood are used to flavor alcoholic beverages in East Africa.
Quality `tej' (the name of an Ethiopian drink) is made using equal amounts of `chat' (Catha edulis) and `hop' (Rhamnus prinoides). The quality of the tej is said to deteriorate after 8 days, after which time, the tej becomes more sour.
The leaves of Vernonia amygdalina are sometimes used in the preparation of the local drink, tela in place of gesho (Rhamnus prinoides), and cooked leaves are edible.
Scutia myrtina :
The Maasai take some species in soup as a drug or stimulant. In most cases the root bark is used. Other forms include the root, stem bark or pieces of stem.
The most commonly used `soup' species are:
Mimosa nilotica (olkiloriti),
Pappea capensis (oltimigomi), and
Scutia myrtina (osananguruti).
Vernonia colorata :
Roots are used as tonics.
Unspecified parts are used as stimulants in Angola.
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