CHEW ON THIS FOLKS, NOT BAD FOR SUNDAY READING..hehehehehe! Kola('Gouru'): A Real Herb or a Fast High? ----------------------------------------------------------- Fast facts: relieves drowsiness, temporarily increase stamina, enhances the pain-relieving effects of aspirin To Westerners, Colas are a way of life. A quick, sweet drink to relieve you from the heat of the day. Did you know that the tropical nut that flavors cola is one of the most popular snacks in West Africa? And doctors say that it has several medicinal benefits to boot. As far back as we can tell, West Africans have used kola for its stimulant effect, and no wonder -- kola contains caffeine, and lots of it. The bitter taste does not deter those in need of a quick energy boost. Its addictiveness creates a huge demand, even in areas far from its rain forest origins. Fortunately, when kept in moist wrappings--burlap is often used-- the green and brown nuts can be stored for several weeks without losing much of their freshness. Historically the green or brown nuts were used as currency. Today in many places the nuts are still regarded as a store of wealth--travelers can go to markets with the certainty that they can trade their kola for the goods which they need. When slaves brought kola to the New World, its stimulant action was adopted medicinally as an antidepressant pick-me-up. Pharmacists stocked it, including John Pemberton, who aspired to developing a kola- based "nerve tonic." Legend has it that in 1886, Pemberton mixed some sugar with extracts of kola and coca (the source of cocaine) in a three-legged brass pot in his backyard. He added carbonated water to his sweet syrup and created a refreshing drink that his bookkeeper dubbed Coca-Cola. Today, Coca-Cola is one of the best-known brand names in the world. As with coffee, kola's caffeine content accounts for both its medicinal benefits and its potential problems. On the plus side, caffeine increases the pain-relieving action of aspirin. It is also a stimulant that may open (dilate) the bronchial passages and temporarily increase athletic stamina. On the minus side, large amounts of caffeine can cause insomnia, jitters, irritability and upset stomach and, some experts say, may increase risk of heart attack. It's also addictive - once you are accustomed to caffeine, sudden elimination often causes a headache that can last for several days. Cola beverages, although they tend to be loaded with sugar, are the most convenient way for westerners to consume kola. But for most West Africans, the nuts themselves are a daily routine. For Westerners (or anyone, really) traveling in the area, kola nuts are an excellent gift to present to villagers, especially for your host or whenever you just want to give a gift to someone. Provided by Prevention's Healthy Ideas http://www.healthyideas.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------