Catha Edulis

Khat

Drug slang A regional term for amphetamine
Herbal medicine A shrub with a high content of d-norpseudoephedrine, a CNS stimulant; consumed as a leaf—in a similar fashion to that of coca—khat increases alertness, relieves hunger and fatigue, and produces mild euphoria. See Herbal medicine
Substance abuse The dried bitter leaves of Catha edulis, an evergreen shrub from eastern Africa—e.g., Somalia, Ethiopia—and Yemen; khat is chewed for its stimulatory and euphoric effects by millions in the Saudi peninsula. It contains cathinone—a DEA Schedule I controlled substance—an amphetamine-like alkaloid, which causes excitement, euphoria and anorexia

---

Catha edulis,

n See khat.

---

Catha edulis

plant of the family Celastraceae. A small, rare African tree. Contains an unidentified toxin which causes depression, muscle spasms and dysentery. The leaves are chewed by humans for their narcotic effect. Called also khat, gat, caffa.