Coca Leaf

"Coca originated in the Andes Mountains of South America and was revered by pre-Inca peoples as early as 500 BC. Leaves from the coca bush were used in religious ceremonies and are still used to combat debilitating effects of high altitudes. The cocaine alkaloid (a chemical compound found in coca bush leaves that is used in medicines, drugs, or as a poison)—or simply cocaine—was first isolated and purified in the mid-1800's. It became commonly used in the late 1800s, but by the early 1900s, people realized its harmful effects and it became regulated as a drug."

Prior to 1906, cocaine alkaloids were not separated from the flavoring used in making some cola-flavored soft drinks. Coca flavorings are still used in making today's cola-flavored soft drinks, but the cocaine alkaloids are removed and discarded. More information in the APP.