Introduction to the special issue: the changing use and misuse of khat (Catha edulis)--tradition, trade and tragedy.

Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Khat (Catha Edulis Forsk): A Review

Catha edulis (khat) is a plant grown commonly in the horn of Africa. The leaves of khat are chewed by the people for its stimulant action. Its young buds and tender leaves are chewed to attain a state of euphoria and stimulation. Khat is an evergreen shrub, which is cultivated as a bush or small tree. The leaves have an aromatic odor. The taste is astringent and slightly sweet. The plant is see...

Khat (Catha edulis): Botany, Distribution, Cultivation, Usage and Economics in Ethiopia

Severe rhabdomyolysis associated with catha edulis(khat) use

Severe rhabdomyolysis is a rare complication of exposure to the recreational drug khat. Adverse reactions to khat that have been reported in the literature include myocardial infarction and reversible vasoconstriction syndrome. The active ingredient, cathinone, is a naturally occurring beta-ketone amphetamine that may be responsible for this severe catecholaminergic response. Here we report a c...

The Green Leaf: Khat

The leaves of the plant khat (Catha edulis) are commonly chewed in Arabian Peninsula and certain countries of the East Africa. The leaves of which are chewed for largely cultural and stimulant reasons. In this paper, a review of the scientific literatures on the relationship between khat use and psychosis and potentiality of dependence. To understand khat use, it is needed to discuss khat pheno...

Effect of Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) on Neurobehavioral Functions: Systematic review and Meta analysis

Background: Khat (Catha edulis forks, family: celastraceae) is a plant grown in East-Africa and the south west of the Arabian Peninsula. People uses for its pleasant stimulant effect of physical activity, consciousness, motor and mental functions as well as its anti-fatigue action. Although there is a rich body of research available regarding the effect of acute and chronic khat dosing in anima...