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Celastraceae




Description

This item is from "Some Common Medicinal And Poisonous Plants Used In Ethiopian Folk Medicine" work, by Amare Getahun.

Celastraceae

Catha edulis (Vahl) Forsk. ex Endl.

chat (A)

gofa; jima (G)

gat (Arabic)

dat (Som)

Tree up to 7 meters high, occasionally attaining 15-20 m. The shrubby tree is cultivated for its leaves and tender shoots mostly in Eastern Ethiopia where it competes with coffee as an important cash crop.

Chat is believed to have 5Ol different kinds of cures equalling 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 most wide spread use is as a masticatory agent. The leaf has an inebriant narcotic and stimulatory effect which produces a marked release from fatigue and hunger. It is also said to have a euphoric effect.

Quality tej is made using equal amounts of chat and hop (Rhamnus prinoides). Quality of the chat tej deteriorate after 8 days, after which time, the tej becomes more sour.

Maytenus ovatus ( Wight & Arn.) Loes.

kambolcha (G)

atat (A)

Very common shrub in Ethiopia, much so, that two large localities, Kombolcha in Wollo Rnd Kombolcha in Harar are named after this shrub signifying its ecological dominance in these localities.

Recent investigations have shown that this plant is an important source of anti-cancer drug. Locally the leaf decoction is used to control external parasites both in domestic animals and in humans.

 

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