Colae semen

Colae semen, also known as cola seeds, is a drug used in herbal medicinal products for the treatment of mental and physical exhaustion.

Quality is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: States of exhaustion and weakness.
ESCOP monograph: Short-term, physical, mental exhaustion
Commission e-monograph: Mental and physical fatigue

Empirical medicine: Stimulants for fatigue

Food industry: Soft drinks (e.g. Coca ^Cola® or Pepsi Cola) generally no longer contain cola seed extract, but synthetic caffeine.

Cola seeds contain at least 1,5 % methylxanthines (1,5 to 3 % caffeine, approximately 0,1 % theobromine) and up to 0,4 % catechin tannins.

In animal experiments a stimulation of the stomach acid production and an analeptic as well as a lipolytic effect was proven. In addition, the drug has diuretic, positive chronotrophic and motility enhancing effects.

Cola seeds are used to treat mental and physical exhaustion.

The daily dose for cola seeds is between 2 and 6 g., 0,25 to 0,75 g of cola extract, 2,5 to 7,5 g of cola fluid extract, 10 to 30 g of cola tincture and 60 to 180 g of cola wine.

Occasionally, it can lead to sleep disturbances, nervous restlessness, stomach problems or excitability.

Ulcus ventriculi et duodeni

The effect of psychoanaleptically effective drugs and caffeinated beverages is intensified.

1. Literature: Schilcher H (ed.) in, Leitfaden Phytotherapie, Urban & Fischer Verlag (2016) Munich, p. 191 f.
2. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/kolabaum.php

3. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl-Teedrogens and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practitioners. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 188-189