When I found out how much calcium the coca leaf has, I was blown away…
Gram per gram of leaves to milk, the coca leaf puts milk to shame when it comes to calcium content.
You’ll have to watch to find out how much calcium it has and how the Peruvians use it. You’ll also have to watch to see why we can’t have it in the U.S. and other countries around the world.
I also have a clip from Dr. J. E. Williams sharing some of the spiritual practices of the Q’ero and how they use the coca leaf for more than something to chew.
Take a look…
Your question of the day: Have you tried the coca leaf?
Click here, scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave your comments now!
You can’t legally get coca leaves in the U.S. There are companies that sell it online. Unfortunately, I can’t endorse this, so order at your own risk. 
Live Awesome!
Kev
12:33 pm on July 8th, 2010
I would be very interested in how much magnesium the coca leaf has if you could find that out please? In my perception magnesuim is far and away more important to try to absorb then calcium – there is plenty of calcium in our foods but not much magnesium at all. Calcium cannot be absorbed if there is not enough magnesuim in the body and unabsorbd calcium results in calcified deposits causing kidney stones, arthritis, hardening of the arteries, several heart issues, and more.
Magnesium and Calcification
A healthy cell has high magnesium and low calcium levels. Calcium can lodge anywhere in your body and cause serious harm if not balanced with magnesium, which regulates the action of calcium. For instance, excess calcium buildup around your bones and joints mimics arthritis. Too much calcium lodged in your heart imitates arterial lesions. Calcification or calcium poisoning can manifest as heart disease, cancer, wrinkled skin, kidney stones, osteoporosis, dental problems, bone spurs, cataracts and many other health problems. Along with hypomagnesemia, signs of severe magnesium deficiency included hypocalcemia, low serum potassium levels (hypokalemia), retention of sodium, low circulating levels of PTH, neurological and muscular symptoms (tremor, muscle spasms, tetany), loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and personality changes. “increasing magnesium intake increases bones density[7] [7] in the elderly and reduces the risk of osteoporosisWhen you load up your system with excess calcium, you shut down magnesium’s ability to activate thyrocalcitonin, a hormone that under normal circumstances would send calcium to your bones.” Magnesium status is important for regulation of calcium balance through parathyroid hormone-mediated reactions. [12] [12] When it comes to magnesium and calcium neither can be divided from the other. One is not divisible from the other in terms of overall effect. They are paired minerals yet it is magnesium that holds the overall key for their paired function. 18 References.
http://magnesiumforlife.com/medical-application/magnesium-and-calcification/
12:42 pm on July 8th, 2010
There is alot Of calcium in it but you would have to ingest the whole leaf not just the Juice to get that much out of it. Interesting Culture connecting with Nature. My christian belief is this nature brings me in connection with the Creator of this Marvelous Creation and i feel His presence in this. Glad you bring us these other Cultures To know about. Word of advice about coca is that some people with addictive Personality might have problems with this plant.
12:43 pm on July 8th, 2010
How fun, love the travel videos!!! What do those coca leaves taste like? Some guys had them at Au Lac one time and if I had known how many minerals are in there I would of asked them for some. Thank you for all you guys are doing.
12:49 pm on July 8th, 2010
Unfortunately, I have not tried the coca leaves, but am encouraged to know that they can be ordered online… aww, freedom!
It was wonderful of you to share the ceremony performed by the native people of their connections to nature. Western “civilization” is soooo out of touch. Thank you for taking us on your trip to Peru.
12:51 pm on July 8th, 2010
Wouldn’t this be included in the old receipe for the Coca-Cola product? Does it not grow well in the U.S.? Seems like a bush everyone could enjoy in their front yard.
12:51 pm on July 8th, 2010
They sell coca tea and whole coca leaf at Amazon. I wonder how much benefit there is from drinking the tea?
12:54 pm on July 8th, 2010
I have! You can get these in the US, but there is so much controversy surrounding their purchase. I would advise people to get from a reputable source and to buy in smaller quantities. They are quite good!
Thank you, Kevin, for your respectful and informative video on this powerful – and incredibly misunderstood – plant.
Lisa Marie Lindenschmidt
Rite Food and Company
1:13 pm on July 8th, 2010
Never tried them…but for Calcuim I put about a tablespoon of Hydrilla in my smoothies which is very rich in calcium, B vitamins, and other minerals…
When compared by typical analysis to other Aquatic Green Foods, Hydrilla is superior in Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-12, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Hydrilla is an abundant source of Bioavailable Nutrition also supplying Phosphorus, Iron, Chlorophyll, B-Complex, Beta Carotene, 17 Amino Acids, 8 Fatty Acids, Essential Trace Minerals and a complete Food Matrix.
Hydrilla provides potent Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Properties. Hydrilla is the Energy Strengthening Green Food that Enhances Nutrient Utilization and Proper Fat Utilization.
1:53 pm on July 8th, 2010
Never tried it.
It is sad that western society is not aloud to have these and other beneficial herbs/plants. Hemp/Cannabis is another example that has been used in the past for all kinds of applications. Getting high is not the main purpose yet that is what is exploited with these plants. Anything that grows naturally from Pachu Mama, should not be regulated!
Love you guys tons n tons!!! Thanks so much for all the insight and sharing your travels! What fun!
XOXOXO
C&S
P.S. ????Kev????? Why do you think the Qero chose such a high altitude?
2:09 pm on July 8th, 2010
Just from a box of bagged tea sold in Canada. I think it was mixed with Yerba Mate. But from reading One River by Wade Davis, I recall him saying the process of nixtamalization is used to better release the alkaloids, using a dash of lime or crushed up sea shells, even. This process is also used on corn & raises both taste & nutritional value (the former may be an indicatory sign of the latter), and effectiveness in coca. It adds value like fermentation does, but without the probiotics. It actually takes it in the other way, cleaning, even neutralizes mycotoxins. Check out the medicinal uses of baking soda. An American has just written a book on this i learned of while perusing a fungi mailing list, claiming it’s used in acute care in hospitals, and is effective against as least some cancers. Dont expect such a book to be thrust in your face like the pulp that gets pu$#ed. The first chapter of the book Toxic Sludge is Good For You is itself titled Burning Books Before They’re Printed. The book is about the PR industry. The 1st chapter is about how corporations use influence thru PR operatives to make sure the really good & useful books dont make a splash in the media, are downplayed, or sways the publisher to publish but not distribute, or do as little as possible for its success. So PR is a two way street, at least in that way
2:33 pm on July 8th, 2010
Green beard and hair today … hmmm… been chewing too much coca leaves, Kevin? hahaha
2:37 pm on July 8th, 2010
hahaha, i like the new ending picture with the cat!!
2:42 pm on July 8th, 2010
love this feed and yep on the magnesium.. i do best when i take high amounts… used to have tons of kidney stones.. was an heavy milk drinker.. quit drinking milk about a decade ago…. at least in such large quantity.. currently i do not drink any at all.. only about four years ago when i increased my magnesium did the stones seem to let up..
3:28 pm on July 8th, 2010
Guayaki Yerba Mate rules!
3:32 pm on July 8th, 2010
Kev,
Don’t you just love how everyone gets on YOUR blog information and educates YOU on what THEY know about nutrition!?! Love it….
On the video you had said something I wanted to clarify for myself. You said “In 1 G of the Coca leaf you have 18 mg of Calcium. In 1 G of milk you have 1.2 Grams of calcium” Is that right?? Did you mean to say 1.2 mg of calcium?? Just wanted to make sure I repeated it correctly.
Thanks for the great job you do on your blog. You’re changing us all “One video at a time!!” Love you brother!
4:32 pm on July 8th, 2010
what is the name of book or who is the author of the book on baking soda that nick wrote about today? thanx
4:40 pm on July 8th, 2010
I tried it once and it did not do much for me; I did not have a lot just about a tea-bag. I got it from a pretty well known health promoter who was eating a lot of it I was a little paranoid that it may be addicting. I wonder if there have been any research in regards to side effects or withdrawal after consuming the leaves over a period of time?
4:42 pm on July 8th, 2010
NATURAL IS ALWAYS THE BEST; INDIANS HAVE THE SOURCE; WE CIVILIZED PEOPLE HAVE TRIED AND SIMPLIED TO MAKE THINGS EASIER; NOT ALWAYS FOR THE BEST IN OUR FAST PACED WORLD. WE ARE COMING FULL CIRCLE BACK TO NATURE AND KNOWING HOW MUCH WE NEED TO PROTECT AND RESPECT MOTHER EARTH AND FATHER SKY!COCA NATURAL VERCES COCAINE WHAT A DIFFERANCE,NATURAL DRUG MODERATION. LOVE THE MEDICINAL HELP WITH HIGH ALTITUDE.
4:56 pm on July 8th, 2010
Being a stimulant, the coca makes your heart beat faster and get blood out to your extremities easier in high altitudes. Interesting about the teeth you are seeing . . . the Indians of Venezuela & Colombia that chew a lot of coca have hardly any teeth left by middle-age.
To #13 Mary Ellen,
Look at Mike Adam’s article on baking soda and follow the reference links at the bottom. You can Google even more references on the subject.
http://www.naturalnews.com/029099_baking_soda_household.html
5:38 pm on July 8th, 2010
Very good information Kevin on coco leaf only to 3:56 video time.The rest of your video and your guest who pray/participate to” mother earth “are an abomination to God almighty who is the one who created the heavens and earth .Thou shalt have NO other gods before me is one of the ten commandments also thou shalt not make unto thee ANY graven image your guest prays and meditates on naming as many mountains as his god and to mother earth ,the devil Kevin always has beeb successful in suckering people in all kinds of lies to believe in someone or something other than the Lord Jesus Christ .Let God be true and every man a liar!! -No man can have two masters ,Their is only one mediator between God and man and that is the God Head Christ Jesus ,the scriptures teach. Kevin your smarter than that .Please read the scriptures and associate with people who confess the Lord Jesus Christ not with the rest of these Pagan beliefs ,that will surely get a person to hell the Bible / scriptures teach. Kevin you have a great talent use it for the Lord Jesus christ.
6:14 pm on July 8th, 2010
Thomas: Yeah, I thought the same thing when he mentioned the observation about the teeth. I remember seeing a lot of coca-chewing people with really bad teeth in various documentaries.
Perhaps there’s a different reason for their bad teeth though, or perhaps Kevin is just made the wrong connection.
6:54 pm on July 8th, 2010
Yes Kev, I have had coca in tea. I would have thought that I would not have gotten altitude sickness after being an Appalachia gal, but alas I had it for several days and had to stay in Cuzco a while before going up the mountain to Machu Picchu. The coca tea was wonderously good for my altitude sickness as was some local soup from there (which is about all I could stomach). I can see how excited you are, Kev! I was too when I was down there as you learn so much all the time being immersed in such a friendly culture
7:21 pm on July 8th, 2010
I’m confused with the break down of milligrams and grams in your talk will you listen to the tape again and explain??
10:19 pm on July 8th, 2010
Great video. Sure wish you would sell some of the cocoa leaves that you have. Would love the calcium benefits! They would be pure I’m sure. You did say ‘try them’, I see no other way, I suspect!
As far as the spiritual, we all have ways of honoring the Lord, and should respect each others ways. It still ends up being One. Why is there always critisim of someone elses beliefs? Let there be Peace!
11:31 pm on July 8th, 2010
SO GREAT. Thanks for the teaching and learning experience. I went on line and you can actually order coca leaves already made into tea bags and they are legal in the US. I was looking for corroboration of nutrition information about calcium and found it on one website.
1:03 am on July 9th, 2010
Maybe a better alternative to chewing on the coca leaf might be taking calcium orotate which is an organic form of calcium and maybe one of the most absorbable calcium supplements.
Maybe you should sell that one on your site.
1:21 am on July 9th, 2010
nope, never had them in any form, including what they are processed into. a friend of mine did, though, while visiting peru, and i have been curious about them. what do they taste like, and do you swallow the leaves, or chew and spit? thanks for sharing your journeys. peace, rainbow
2:25 am on July 9th, 2010
1st, thank you K and AM, thank you Shan for the link, and Ryan what is Hydrilla, a green leafy plant or????????
7:19 am on July 9th, 2010
http://www.amazon.com/Powdered-Coca-Tea-Caranavi-12/dp/B000IJWM22
NovoAndina Caranavi , air tight bag 12 oz, 340 grams of coca leaf per bag, good for up to 340 cups of coca tea. This product is a great antidepressant. The coca leaf has been established as the traditional remedy for the treatment of physiological and psychological illnesses, and by virtue of its membership is a powerful restorer of energy to cure stomach ailments and digestive disorders alleviate the larynx and vocal cords, prevention of vertigo, which regulates blood pressure and metabolism of carbohydrates. A crucial study conducted by Harvard University found that the coca leaf has a large amount of nutrients, rather than other foods known as very strong. Every 100 grams of coca leaf contain: Calcium 1749 (mg), Phosphor 637 (mg) Vitamin A 10000 (IU) In Peru using flour coca is the expansion for the treatment of various diseases, especially osteoporosis, arthritis, gastrities, etc. “This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease” Benefits of Coca Tea: Revitalizes restores and energizes. Reduces bruises, sore joints , muscles Elevates brightens and controls moods Controls your need for sleep Regulates arterial pressure and metabolism Excellent for diets Helps digestive processes Regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates Acts against fatigue and altitude sickness The Analysis for 100 grams of coca leaf show that it contains high volume of potassium, calcium, Magnesium, Iron, vitamins and all elements necessary in a daily diet
7:49 am on July 9th, 2010
Are the coco leaves the only leaves with high calcium?
9:19 am on July 9th, 2010
Hi Kevin
I found this on fourwinds 10 dot com
Dr Willian Douglas Campbell
contribution is the Whole Foods 365 Organic Evbery day value brand goods.
PLease read
I’m no fan of ordinary incandescent lights, either — I’m convinced they’re responsible for poor health and cataracts. But in this case it’s a lesser of two evils. And if you hope to keep using them, you’d better stock up now.
Soon, you won’t have a choice.
Kiddie juice loaded with lead
OK, so the supposedly earth-friendly CFL light bulbs are packed with poisonous mercury… and now, get this: Your kids and grandkids are sucking back lead like there’s no tomorrow.
It ain’t just toys and trinkets anymore… a new study finds that some of today’s most popular juices, packaged fruits and even baby foods are filled with enough lead to cripple Superman.
The Environmental Law Foundation sent 146 fruit and juice products to an EPA-certified lab, which found lead in 85 percent of them. Didn’t matter if it was supermarket swampwater or organic hippie juice — the lead levels were so high that they should have had warning labels under California law.
If you’re like me, you’re more than a little tired of all the warning labels out there… but when it comes to lead, those labels were made the old-fashioned way: They earned them.
Lead can stunt the growth of a still-developing nervous system. It can lead to jumpiness, mental disorders and downright stupidity — and for once, it’s not the kid’s fault.
Lead exposure can also cause permanent brain damage and even death — but go ahead, have another sip. It says it’s organic — so it must be safe, right?
WRONG!
High lead levels were found in organic brands such as Earth’s Best, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods’ 365 Organic Everyday Value. Do yourself a favor and take a look at the full list here.
If any of this stuff is in your fridge, toss it now.
Toss the rest of it, too. Juice — even the “pure” stuff — is little more than a sugar injection anyway, and anyone who slurps that junk all day is bound to have serious health problems sooner or later.
Leading the way away from lead,
William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.
From the Thermometer to the Dinner Table
* When a mercury thermometer is broken, liquid mercury begins to turn into a gas.
* If the spill is not cleaned up, the gas will contaminate the home.
* If mercury is thrown in the trash and taken to the curb, it will eventually be burned with the rest of the trash and go into the air.
* Rain carries mercury from the air to the ground where it flows to a body of water.
* Bacteria in the water absorb the mercury and turn it into a more dangerous organic type of mercury, methyl mercury.
* Fish eat the bacteria and it accumulates in their flesh. This is called bioaccumulation.
* Accumulation of mercury is dangerous because mercury is more concentrated at the top of the good chain. The larger and older the fish, the more mercury it is likely to have.
* For this reason, it is unhealthy to eat some types of fish more than once a week.
* Exposure to mercury can cause nervous system damage and birth defects.
Don’t let the milk industry murder you and your family!
http://www.web-purchases.com/640SRRTM/WRHBJ9G7/landing.html
10:21 am on July 9th, 2010
John,
Why do you think your god is the one and only one? What proof do you have? Open your mind.
10:24 am on July 9th, 2010
In your excitement I’m not sure you were accurately specifying grams verses milligrams. 18 mg would be .018 grams and you said milk had 1.2 grams of calcium. Maybe you meant 1.2 mg as well – if not 1.2 grams is more than 18 mg.
11:51 am on July 9th, 2010
You’re Awesome!
Have a Kevin day!!!
12:21 pm on July 9th, 2010
Where’s Johnny 5? Who’s taking care of him while you’re in Peru?
1:44 pm on July 9th, 2010
For the calcium content of foods see:
http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=45
Scroll down towards the bottom and there is a chart showing measured quantities of food and the calcium content in mg (milligrams).
You would need to eat a lot of coca leaves to consume 1000 mg Ca per day. (About 555 grams, or 34.7 oz. or 2.17 lb . . just about a kilo.
That’s a lot of chewing.
3:39 pm on July 9th, 2010
anasha Sol
Hydrilla is Basically an aquatic(weed)green plant that grows in certain area waters in parts of the US…I take Green Calcium powder from Vibrant health
heres some links to info…
http://www.greenharmonyliving.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5_28&products_id=117
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:Ah6_jfCaeoMJ:www.right-foods.com/secure/hydrilla.pdf+hydrilla+food+compund+vitamin&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESioogR-qh1y1iY8f_OP4qHN9p_GlRTcMnDNjALpC_7RV2x4gmd4rXK73bkEnWCSukUiiZC3yp-ioKWPNDtkvp_NPCCwZgnG9FpAXibgMrBDFxec5CwIT2VLFF1JRUw4UEIxrub8&sig=AHIEtbRUnaZCpdXxJ0vRQ96RfnSPSaWOdw
3:44 pm on July 9th, 2010
Hi Anne Marie and Kevin—I have really enjoyed you sharing your travel experiences with us. Please post more info about indigenous diets….very interesting.
Thank You, thaink you, thank you!!!!
3:47 pm on July 9th, 2010
Sorry about the fuzzy math.
According to this site:
http://www.peruherbals.com/3030/coca.html
you could meet your daily requirement with 43.47 grams of coca leaf. They sell tea in 1 gram bags.
4:26 pm on July 9th, 2010
Kevin,
I’m confused!
one milligram is one thousandth of a gram.
You say 1 gram of Coca leaf is 18 milligrams of calcium and one gram of milk is 1.2 grams of calcium!!
6:28 pm on July 9th, 2010
If you have ever drunk Coca Cola, you have had some “decocainized” coca leaf extract. By the way, Coca Cola is the only company in the US allowed to import coca leaves legally.
Chemical composition of the Coca leaf:
Moisture, g% 9.21
Dry extract, g% 0.79
Ethereal extract, g% 4.53
Carbohydrates, g% 49.62
Protein Total (N x 6.25), g% 15.96
Digestible protein (N x 6.25.), g% 12.39
Raw fiber, g% 13.00
Ashes, g% 7.68
Sand and Silica, g% 1.55
Carotene, mg% 42.34
Thiamine, mg% 0.16
Riboflavin, mg% 0.88
Vitamin C, mg% 16.70
Niacin, mg% 26.00
Calcium, mg% 1550.7
Phosphorus, mg% 209.7
Iron, mg% 4.2
Sodium, mg% 0.59
Potassium, mg% 0.96
Alkaloids total, g% 0.821
10:35 pm on July 9th, 2010
Thanks for the post Kevin and Annmarie! That was great!
1:48 am on July 10th, 2010
thank you Ryan
12:00 pm on July 10th, 2010
Kevin and Anamarie, you are awesome and thanks so much for revealing coca for health!
7:23 pm on July 10th, 2010
You can order coca and other Peruvian superherbs and superfoods at a reasonable price here: http://bit.ly/cAEgSC
2:21 pm on July 12th, 2010
Thank you for posting all the good news about Coca leaves.
Last year and this year part of our tour is visiting coca plantations
in Peru. We interviewed the main suppliers and decided
not to post the interview because it was not very positive.
We found out that all coca leaves sold in stores, even if
it says all natural, or buy the whole leave there’s tons of
chemical used on them!
Herbicides, pesticides but mainly fungicides are used
a lot. We’ve inspected several large coca farms with our
biologists and the fungus that attacks the coca leaves
is getting stronger and stronger. We could see the fungus
growing on the branches. The farmers get
frustrated and half of the crops last year died
because of the fungus. Now farmers also get
frustrated and use more chemicals. They (the farmers) even
think that the government is involved to try
to end the coca leave production and stop the
cartels that are involved in the drug-industry.
Now more, and more
fungicides are used and the coca leave is now a blend
of amazing alkaloids, minerals and tons of chemicals that
disturb the natural balance of the coca leave.
I just want to let you know that nowhere on the packaging
in Peru you find the info of the chemicals used
on the coca leaves. Some claim it’s natural, but it’s not.
Some claim it’s organic (whole leave) but it’s not unless
the farmer grows the coca himself and you can
buy directly from him and you can see it…
We hope to find an organic farm this year where
the coca leaves are pure and untreated!
http://www.rawflora.com Wild Food Journeys / Jeannette Kielo Dussel
11:46 pm on July 14th, 2010
it was interesting to watch this, then go to The Calcium Lie video. HMMM, something is missing. Looks like there is no magneseum in Coca leaf.but then as somone said you’d have to chew alot.
does the calcium from the coca leaf really get absorbed?
very interesting discussion, thanks!
11:00 am on July 19th, 2010
I want to. Thanks!
I guess your blog is bound to get some comments from nut cases. Why is it when Christians post in your blog or overly religious people post their crazy made-up restrictions I always feel bad, like my energy level just shrunk or went lower? I take that as a sign that what they are saying is bad.