Khat

• What other names is Khat known by?
• What is Khat?
• How does Khat work?
• Are there safety concerns?
• Are there any interactions with medications?
• Dosing considerations for Khat.

What other names is Khat known by?

Abyssinian Tea, Arabian-Tea, Catha edulis, Celastrus edulis, Chaat, Gat, Kat, Kathine, Kus es Salahin, Miraa, Qat, Qut, Tchaad, Thé Abyssin, Thé Arabe, Thé Somalien, Tohai, Tohat, Tschut.

What is Khat?

Khat is a plant. The leaf and stem are used as a recreational drug and as medicine.

As a recreational drug, the leaves and stem are chewed by people in East Africa and the Arabian countries to elevate mood (as a euphoriant).

As a medicine, khat leaf is used for depression, fatigue, obesity, stomach ulcers, and male infertility. It is also used to lower the need for food and sleep, decrease sexual desires, and increase aggression.

The World Health Organization (WHO) lists khat as a drug that creates "dependence" in people, meaning it produces a continuing desire to keep using it. In Somalia, civilian and military use of khat has been blamed for fueling civil war, draining the nation's economy, and undermining international relief efforts.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Depression.
• Fatigue.
• Obesity.
• Stomach ulcers.
• Elevating mood.
• Male infertility.
• Reducing the need for food and sleep.
• Decreasing sexual desire.
• Increasing aggression.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of khat for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).