Leaves of the qat plant (khat, catha edulis)
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The Catha plant (Khat or qat (Catha edulis, Arabic: القات ) is a flowering shrub reaching full size in seven or eight years. Its crop – the new shoots and leaves – can be harvested four times a year, making it financially attractive for the farmer. It is easy to grow but requires ample irrigation to produce fresh and moist, young green leaves. It is native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Khat contains the alkaloid cathinone, a stimulant, which is said to cause excitement, loss of appetite, and euphoria. Especially the young leaves and stems are chewed, not eaten. Among communities from the areas where the plant is native, qat chewing has a history as a social custom dating back thousands of years.
Especially in Yemen and Somalia qat is widely consumed and often considered as a burden for the economies of those countries.
For example, in Yemen it is estimated that 40% of the country's water supply goes toward the irrigation of khat.
Submitted: 08/04/2020
Accepted: 09/04/2020
Published:
- Sic Sociedade Independente de (Portugal) 28-May-2021
- BBC News & Sport (United Kingdom (Great Britain)) 02-Aug-2021
- BBC News & Sport (United Kingdom (Great Britain)) 11-Jul-2023
- PRO TV S.A. (Romania) 02-Aug-2023
- DPG Media NV (Belgium) 20-Mar-2024
Leaves of the qat plant (khat, catha edulis)
Buy this photo on Getty Images : Getty Images
The Catha plant (Khat or qat (Catha edulis, Arabic: القات ) is a flowering shrub reaching full size in seven or eight years. Its crop – the new shoots and leaves – can be harvested four times a year, making it financially attractive for the farmer. It is easy to grow but requires ample irrigation to produce fresh and moist, young green leaves. It is native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Khat contains the alkaloid cathinone, a stimulant, which is said to cause excitement, loss of appetite, and euphoria. Especially the young leaves and stems are chewed, not eaten. Among communities from the areas where the plant is native, qat chewing has a history as a social custom dating back thousands of years.
Especially in Yemen and Somalia qat is widely consumed and often considered as a burden for the economies of those countries.
For example, in Yemen it is estimated that 40% of the country's water supply goes toward the irrigation of khat.
Submitted: 08/04/2020
Accepted: 09/04/2020
Published:
- Sic Sociedade Independente de (Portugal) 28-May-2021
- BBC News & Sport (United Kingdom (Great Britain)) 02-Aug-2021
- BBC News & Sport (United Kingdom (Great Britain)) 11-Jul-2023
- PRO TV S.A. (Romania) 02-Aug-2023
- DPG Media NV (Belgium) 20-Mar-2024