-IBIS-1.5.0-

rx

herb

Coffea arabica (Coffee)

botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Coffea arabica

synonyms: coffee beans, mocha, java, cafe, espresso

part(s) used: ripe seed

qualities:

affinities:

actions:

dosage:

» 120 - 240 ml. hot water extract

therapy:

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b, 2d; not recommended for excessive or long-term use; contradicted in glaucoma (temporarily increases intraocular pressure) (McGuffin)

toxicity: 2; see caffeine toxidrome

» contraindicated during pregnancy if woman has another serious coexisting condition such as an arrhythmia; teratogenic and fetotoxic effects have been reported (Duke, pp. 130-132); caffeine (in doses of more than 600 mg) can have abortifacient and teratogenic effects (Brinker, Boyd, Lewis and Elvin-Lewis)

» contraindicated in all severe inflammatory conditions (Harper-Shove, p. 197); certain heart conditions; infants and children are particularly susceptible to caffeine-related problems (Cain, p. 446)

» contraindicated in acute kidney inflammation since the diuretic effect of caffeine increases the urinary output (Brinker, Felter & Lloyd, Boyd)

» contraindicated in high-grade inflammation possibly due to caffeine's CNS stimulant effects causing restlessness and insomnia (Brinker, Boyd)

» contraindicated in excess stomach acid or duodenal ulcers due to increased gastric acid secretion from caffeine (Boyd)

» contraindicated in heart disorders due to acute and/or excessive caffeine consumption increasing heart rate and causing arrhythmias (Boyd, Lewis and Elvin-Lewis)

» contraindicated in psychological disorders since caffeine can aggravate depression or induce anxiety neurosis (Boyd)

» caution is advised in patients with history of recent surgery, diabetes, hypoglycemia, nephrotic syndrome, urinary tract infections, acute infectious hepatitis, leukemias, Graves’ disease, hypothyroidism or related genetic disorders (Langer and Greer, pp. 66-67); cardiac patients should use cautiously, due to caffeine's ability to stimulate the heart muscle

» studies have shown possible goitrogenic, antithyroid effects due to alkaloids (Langer and Greer, p. 11)

» chronic oral intake results in headaches, tremors, insomnia, and constipation

» coffee enemas (a form of colon therapy) may result in dependency upon these enemas

» caffeine and tannins have been linked to the development of some forms of cancer, especially pancreatic (Tyler, et al), and reduction of morbidity and mortality rates due to other forms of cancer (Albert, p. 95)

constituents: theobromine, theophylline, caffeine

drug interactions:

» excessive caffeine taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors can cause a hypertensive crisis

» increased thermogenesis and weight loss due to a reduction of body fat when caffeine is combined with ephedrine as well as agitation, tremors, and insomnia (Dulloo and Miller, Malchow-Moller et al)

» contraceptives and cimetidine increase the effect of caffeine (Boyd)

» iron absorption is inhibited (Boyd)

» possible reduced absorption of oral drugs taken simultaneously (DeSmet)

footnotes

Albert, A. 1987. Xenobiosis: Food, Drugs and Poisons in the Human Body. New York: Chapman and Hall.

Boyd JR (ed.-in-chief).1985. Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: J.B. Lippincott Co.

Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Cain, H.D. 1980. Flint's Emergency Treatment and Management, 6th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company.

De Smet PAGM et al. (eds.). 1993. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2, Berlin: Springer-Verlag

Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.

Dulloo AG, Miller DS. 1986. The thermogenic properties of ephedrinelmethylxanthine mixtures: animal studies. Am. J Clin. Nutr., 43:388-94.

Harper-Shove, Captain F. 1985. Prescriber and Clinical Repertory of Medicinal Herbs. New Delhi, India: B. Jain Publishers Pvt. Ltd.

Langer, P., and Greer, M.A. 1977. Anti-Thyroid Substances and Naturally Occurring Goitrogens. New York: Karyer, Greer.

Lewis, W.H., and Elvin-Lewis, M.P. 1977. Medical Botany. New York: John Wiley and Sons.

Malchow-Moller A, Larsen S, Hey H, Stokholm KH, JuhI E, Quaade F. 1981. Ephedrine as an anorectic: the story of the ‘Elsinore pill.’ Internat. J. Obesitv, 5:183-7.

McGuffin, Michael, ed. 1997. American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.

Tyler, V.E., Brady, L.R., Robbers, J.E. 1988. Pharmacognosy. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger.