Coca is a tropical shrub with a thin trunk, small, light green leaves, whitish flowers, whose leaves are used as an infusion and from which cocaine is extracted. Coca leaves have existed for thousands of years as a medicinal herb and for the preparation of infusions.
The coca leaf has been used by indigenous cultures since ancient times. It is a medicinal plant with analgesic, healing and antiseptic property in case of wounds, burns and medical interventions, it also helps toothaches in addition to attenuating gum and throat inflammation.
However, it is known for its alkaloids as cocaine; It works as a stimulant and affects the nervous system, since it produces certain effects in the individual such as euphoria, increased body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, among others.
Coca plants are grown in South America, specifically in Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, southern Brazil, northern Chile and Argentina, also the island of Java and India.
In colloquial language, the expression coca refers to the blow with the knuckles on the head, for example: “I gave a coke to my cousin.”
In English, it is called coca or coca plant , for example: the coca has a high medicinal power . For its part, to refer to the narcotic substance is translated as cocaine or coke, such as: Bolivia, Peru and Colombia are cocaine producers.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a stimulating substance that is extracted from the coca leaf and, after being subjected to various chemical processes, is used as a drug.
In principle, it was used for medical purposes but its toxicity was proven illegal, because cocaine addicts are prone to suffer a heart attack, stroke, respiratory failure, seizures, abdominal pain, nausea and in the case of Women miscarriage and nervous disorders in the newborn.
However, in the laws of some countries its consumption is legal under certain restrictions, such as the quantities that can be consumed and sold. However, cocaine belongs to list II of the Controlled Substances Act, so it can be supplied for medical purposes and under the supervision of a specialist.
Coca Cola
Coca-Cola is an effervescent refreshing drink produced by The Coca-Cola Company. In principle, it was invented by pharmacist John Pemberton for medicinal purposes, specifically for digestion problems, but when acquired by the businessman and also pharmacist Asa G. Candler became the most consumed beverage of the 21st century.
There are testimonies that state that Coca-Cola contained coca leaves among its ingredients, approximately 8.45 milligrams per glass, although the company has always denied it. But when they began to make public its negative and harmful effects on health, they decided to eliminate cocaine from the formula by replacing it with caffeine as a stimulant.
The Coca-Cola formula is stored in a bank in Atlanta.
