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[[Image:Coca.jpg‎|thumb|Coca Plant]]  

[[Image:Coca.jpg‎|thumb|Coca Plant]]  

'''Cocaine''' is potent natural stimulant and anesthetic first used by natives of South America. It was later isolated and purified for medical use, but has been restricted in the [[United States]].

'''Cocaine''' is potent natural stimulant and anesthetic first used by natives of South America who chewed the leaves of the coca plant. It was later isolated and purified for medical use as a local anesthetic, but has been restricted in the [[United States]].

It is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca), which is indigenous to the Andean highlands of South America. Natives in this region chew or brew coca leaves into a tea for refreshment and to relieve fatigue, similar to the customs of chewing tobacco and drinking tea or coffee.  

It is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca), which is indigenous to the Andean highlands of South America. Natives in this region chew or brew coca leaves into a tea for refreshment and to relieve fatigue, similar to the customs of chewing tobacco and drinking tea or coffee.