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These plants, funghi and insect illustrations
are part of my botanical oracle deck

Cola nitida | Kola Nut

Botanical Overview:

  • Family: Malvaceae (formerly Sterculiaceae)

  • Common Names: Kola Nut, Cola Nut

  • Plant Type: Evergreen tree

  • Native Range: Tropical rainforests of West Africa

  • Key Identifiers:

    • Medium-sized tree that can grow up to 20 meters tall

    • Glossy, oval-shaped leaves with prominent veins

    • Produces star-shaped fruit pods containing 2–5 seeds (kola nuts), which are reddish-brown or pink


Properties:

  • Active Compounds: Caffeine, theobromine, tannins, and polyphenols

  • Pharmacological Actions: Stimulant, diuretic, astringent

  • Flavor Profile: Bitter, with an earthy and slightly nutty aftertaste


Distribution and Habitat:

  • Native to tropical West Africa but now cultivated in other tropical regions such as the Caribbean, Brazil, and Indonesia

  • Thrives in humid, warm climates with well-drained, fertile soils

  • Grown in shaded environments, often as part of agroforestry systems


Medicinal Uses:

  • Stimulant: Improves alertness, focus, and combats fatigue due to its high caffeine content

  • Digestive Aid: Used traditionally to relieve indigestion and bloating

  • Appetite Suppressant: Chewing kola nut is thought to reduce hunger and thirst

  • Circulatory Health: May enhance blood flow and improve circulation

  • Antioxidant Effects: Rich in polyphenols that may protect against oxidative stress


Psychoactive Properties and Effects:

  • Psychoactive Nature:

    • Acts as a stimulant, enhancing mental clarity, focus, and energy levels

    • Increases alertness and reduces drowsiness due to caffeine and theobromine content

    • Prolonged use can lead to mild euphoria or heightened mood

  • Not Psychedelic: Does not alter perception, cognition, or consciousness in a hallucinogenic way


Magical Correspondences and Uses:

  • Element: Fire

  • Planetary Association: Mars

  • Magical Uses:

    • Symbolizes vitality, strength, and success

    • Used in offerings to spirits or deities in African traditional religions

    • Often employed in rituals for protection, prosperity, and grounding

    • Chewed or burned as an incense to increase energy and focus during rituals or ceremonies


Folklore and Mythology:

  • In many West African cultures, kola nut holds deep spiritual significance and is used in ceremonies, divination, and offerings.

  • It is a symbol of hospitality and respect, often shared in communal gatherings as a gesture of goodwill.

  • In Igbo tradition, kola nuts are offered to guests and used in spiritual rituals to honor ancestors and invoke blessings.

  • Kola nuts are also considered sacred and are believed to connect humans to the divine or spiritual realm.

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