Parts Used and Constituents
Kola nitida’s seeds are used for medicinal purposes, which contains caffeine as main active ingredient. The seeds also contain a glucoside, Kolanin, but this substance appears to be a mixture of Kola red and caffeine, starch, fatty matter and a fat decomposing enzyme.
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Actions and Uses
Kola nut possesses stimulant, anti-depressive, astringent and diuretic properties. Being natural source of caffeine it helps stimulate metabolism and suppresses the appetite, which may be useful in weight management. It is stimulant to central nervous system. It can act as a specific in nervous diarrhoea. It will aid in states of depression and may, in some people, give rise to euphoric states. In some varieties of migraine it can help greatly. Through the stimulation it will be a valuable part of the treatment for anorexia. It can be viewed as specific in cases of depression associated with weakness and debility.
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