Catha Edulis

This plant is a native of Arabia, where it attains

the height of 7 to 10 feet. Its leaves are used by the Arabs in

preparing a beverage like tea or coffee. The twigs, with leaves

attached, in bundles of fifty, and in pieces from 12 to 15 inches

in length, form a very considerable article of commerce, its use

in Arabia corresponding to that of the Paraguay tea in South

America and the Chinese tea in Europe. The effects produced by a

decoction of the leaves of Cafta, as they are termed, are

described as similar to those produced by strong green tea, only

more pleasing and agreeable. The Arab soldiers chew the leaves

when on sentry duty to keep them from feeling drowsy. Its use is

of great antiquity, preceding that of coffee. Its stimulating

effects induced some Arabs to class it with intoxicating

substances, the use of which is forbidden by the Koran, but a

synod of learned Mussulmans decreed that, as it did not impair the

health or impede the observance of religious duties, but only

increased hilarity and good humor, it was lawful to use it.