This page is a detailed botanical reference. For name translations across countries, see: Coca.
Erythroxylum coca
Also known as: Coca · Hoja de coca
Common in: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru
Used for: medicinal use · ritual use
species · Type: herb
What is this herb called in different countries?
Indexed common names for this species, grouped by country. Each label opens that name’s hub.
Argentina
Bolivia
Colombia
Peru
Traditional-use themes, index safety flags, and how local herb names differ by country.
At a glance
- Family
- Erythroxylaceae
- Countries & regions (index)
- Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru · Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru
- Evidence label (index)
- Traditional / ethnobotanical context (label)
- Toxicity (index)
- Lower concern in index
- Sustainability / harvest
- Not listed in the current index slice.
Uses & indexed themes
No extra therapeutic themes are listed for this species in the current index slice—see traditional use categories above.
- medicinal use
- ritual use
Browse by use: Medicinal herbs · Ritual herbs
Similar medicinal herbs (shared uses)
Other species in this index that share at least one of the same traditional use categories: medicinal use · ritual use
- Ruta chalepensismedicinal use · ritual use
- Ruta graveolensmedicinal use · ritual use
- Aloysia citrodoramedicinal use · tea · aromatic use
- Bixa orellanamedicinal use · culinary use
- Buddleja globosamedicinal use
- Croton lechlerimedicinal use
- Dysphania ambrosioidesmedicinal use · culinary use
- Equisetum bogotensemedicinal use
- Matricaria chamomillamedicinal use · tea
- Mentha spicatamedicinal use · culinary use
- Piper aduncummedicinal use
- Uncaria tomentosamedicinal use
Safety notes
These flags summarize dataset metadata. They are not a safety guarantee and do not replace professional advice.
Level
Lower concern in index
Avoid if
No extra “avoid if” flags in the index slice
Interactions
None called out beyond the notes below
Look‑alike risk
No
Evidence label
Traditional / ethnobotanical context (label)
Geography
Native / origin regions (dataset)
Andes
Where it appears in the index
Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru · Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru
When countries differ from native range, it usually reflects where names and uses were recorded—not a claim that the plant is wild everywhere listed.
Regional naming in the index
- Argentina → medicinal use, ritual useCoca · Hoja de coca
- Bolivia · Colombia · Peru → medicinal use, ritual use
Common questions
- Is Coca safe to drink daily?
- Many people use moderate amounts in teas, but safety depends on the exact species, dose, medications, and your health context. This page is informational only—ask a qualified clinician when unsure.
- What is Coca used for?
- In FloraLexicon’s index, this species is most often associated with: medicinal use · ritual use. Traditional use is not proof of benefit or safety for any person.
- Is Coca safe?
- The index labels toxicity as Lower concern in index. Common themes include medicinal use · ritual use. This is not a personal risk assessment—ask a qualified clinician for your situation.
- Can Coca be confused with other plants?
- Yes—shared common names are a major source of mix‑ups. When you see an ambiguity callout below, open the name hub to compare scientific species side by side.
Last updated from FloraLexicon’s merged ethnobotanical index—informational only; see disclaimer.