Evidence supporting the use of: Coca
For the body system: Adrenal Glands

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Coca (Erythroxylum coca) has a long history of traditional use among indigenous peoples in the Andean regions of South America. The leaves are chewed or brewed into tea to combat fatigue, hunger, and altitude sickness. Traditional knowledge holds that coca helps to sustain energy levels, reduce exhaustion, and support the body's ability to adapt to physical stress, which indirectly suggests a supportive effect on the adrenal glands, as these glands play a key role in the stress response by producing hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.

However, direct scientific studies specifically linking coca leaf use to adrenal gland support are scarce. Most research on coca focuses on its stimulant effects due to the presence of alkaloids, including cocaine (in very small amounts in the raw leaf), which can increase alertness and reduce perception of fatigue. These effects may mimic some aspects of adrenal gland activation, but there is no robust evidence demonstrating that coca leaves directly bolster adrenal gland function or health.

In summary, the use of coca to "support the adrenal glands" is primarily based on traditional practices and anecdotal reports rather than scientific validation. While coca leaves are traditionally used to help the body cope with physical stresses—functions related to adrenal activity—there is insufficient modern research to confirm or quantify this effect.

More about coca
More about Adrenal Glands

Products containing coca

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.