Social function of coca in pre-Columbian America

Cocaine distribution in wild Erythroxylum species

“…Regardless of the importance of cultivated coca plants from an economical point of view, these species always played a key role for South American natives (Grinspoon and Bakalar, 1981;Naranjo, 1981;Schultes, 1981;Plowman, 1984a). Coca chewing in South America has persisted from ancient times, but is still poorly understood from many points of view.…”

South American Indigenous Knowledge of Psychotropics

“…Today, coca chewing is common among impoverished highland peasants of South America (Naranjo, 1981). Today, coca chewing is common among impoverished highland peasants of South America (Naranjo, 1981).…”

Increasing the Pace of New Discoveries in Tropane Alkaloid Biosynthesis

“…Recent archaeological evidence has found coca leaves in Peruvian house floors, dating the use of this species back at least 8000 years (Dillehay et al, 2010). During the Incan empire (thirteenth to sixteenth century), coca leaves were used as a sacrificial offering and were additionally used by the aristocracy and religious elite for its medicinal properties (Naranjo, 1981). During the Incan empire (thirteenth to sixteenth century), coca leaves were used as a sacrificial offering and were additionally used by the aristocracy and religious elite for its medicinal properties (Naranjo, 1981).…”

“…Coca leaves are obtained from the two closely related species E. coca and E. novogranatense (Plowman, 1982). Interestingly, the practice of chewing the leaves by the ruling classes was restricted to E. novogranatense because it contains high levels of methyl salicylate and thus is perceived to have a minty taste (Naranjo, 1981;Plowman & Rivier, 1983). Interestingly, the practice of chewing the leaves by the ruling classes was restricted to E. novogranatense because it contains high levels of methyl salicylate and thus is perceived to have a minty taste (Naranjo, 1981;Plowman & Rivier, 1983).…”