Kath (botanic name: Catha edulis) are the sheets of a spread bush from Yemen and Abyssinia which are chewed or converted to tea.
Chemistry
The main active substance of the sheets is the alkaloid Cathine (Norpseudoephedrine) as well as furthermore the unstable Cathinone (&alphy;-Aminopropiophenone) and approx. 40 further alkaloids (Cathedulines).
Physiological effect
The pharmacological effect of the Cathine resembles the amphetamines; it exceeds the energizing effect of coffee. At the same time it suppresses the productivity and leads to apathy and lethargy.
History
In Yemen led the Kath abuse connected with additional consumption of alcohol to an economic fall. In Europe the drug is nearly unknown. In the USA the structurally used Methcathinon (n-Methylaminopropiophenon) emerged as designer drug, whose hydrochloride was called Cat.
