Cola Nut, Kola, Bissy Nut

Cola acuminata

Physical Characteristics

Cola acuminata is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

Southern, western and central tropical Africa.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Coffee Colouring Condiment Drink Edible portion: Seeds, Herb, Flavouring, Fruit, Leaves. The aromatic seed is rich in caffeine, containing 1.25 - 2.4% caffeine, and acts as a stimulant[ 238 , 301 ]. It can be chewed or ground into a powder and made into a drink in order to give energy, increase alertness, retard hunger and fatigue, aid digestion and increase stamina[ 301 ]. When the whole nuts are chewed, they taste bitter at first but they leave a sweet taste in the mouth later that affects other foods or drinks that are consumed[ 301 ]. Thus chewing cola nuts before drinking water helps to render the water sweeter[ 303 ]. The bitter tasting seeds are much appreciated by Muslims in the drier region of West Africa, especially during the month of Ramadan[ 303 ]. The nuts are used for non-alcoholic soft drinks like Coca-Cola[ 303 ]. An extract, prepared from the dried kernels, is used to flavour carbonated drinks, ice cream, candy, baked goods etc[ 301 ]. The kernels can be red, white or pink[ 301 ]. The red ones can be used as a natural food colorant[ 301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antidepressant Antidiarrhoeal Antihaemorrhoidal Astringent Digestive Diuretic Dysentery Stimulant Tonic Cola nuts contain up to 2.5% caffeine, plus theobromine, tannins, phlobaphene and an anthocyanin[ 254 ]. They stimulate the nervous system when chewed and are also considered to be a digestive tonic, diuretic, astringent and antidepressant[ 254 , 303 , 307 ]. They counteract overstrain and depression thus improving the physical and mental state. The principle action is that of caffeine. Other active principles include theobromine and kolatine[ 303 ]. Because of its astringent properties, cola is used as a non-addictive stimulant in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[ 254 , 303 ], and also to prevent vomiting in cases of high fever[ 303 ]. It has also been used in the treatment of headaches and migraine[ 254 ]. It has been used in combination with coca leaf (Erythroxylum coca) to produce a stimulant drug that has been used as 'Forced March' tablets by explorers and military expeditions[ 303 ]. The crushed nuts are boiled together with the leaves of Morinda lucida and the liquid taken internally to cure piles[ 303 ]. The nuts ground to a fine paste together with the leaves of Scoparia dulce, are dissolved in a little water and a few drops are administered orally to babies for headache[ 303 ]. The seeds are harvested when fully ripe and dried in the sun[ 254 ]. An infusion of the bark mixed with ginger and a little pepper is taken internally to cure stomach ulcers[ 303 ].

Known Hazards

Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested