Dominican Medicinal Plants: A Guide for Health Care Providers

antibiotics (i.e. enoxacin, pipemidic acid, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin), idrocilamide and methoxsalen
(Brinker 1998).
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Coffee has been studied in clinical trials for the following effects: cognitive enhancement, common cold
relief and laxative. Laboratory and preclinical studies have shown the following effects: antioxidant and
hypercholesterolemic. The following additional pharmacological effects have been attributed to coffee
(primarily due to its high caffeine content): inotropic, chronotropic (in high doses) on heart and CNS,
relaxation of smooth muscles of blood vessels (except cerebral) and bronchial tubes, diuretic, catalysis of
the release of catecholamines and stimulation of an increase in gastric secretions. The mechanism of
caffeine involves the competitive blocking of adenosinal receptors. Other therapeutic applications include
its use in treating hypotonia, flu, migraines and as an analeptic or additive analgesic agent (Gruenwald et
al. 2004). Caffeine is present in the leaves and bark of this plant, not just the seeds.
Indications and Usage: Approved by the Commission E for treatment of diarrhea and inflammation of
the mouth and throat (Blumenthal et al. 1998). Typical daily dosage is 15 g roasted coffee beans, single
dose of 3 g ground beans, prepared according to various infusion methods (Gruenwald et al. 2004).
Clinical Data: Coffea arabica
Activity/Effect Preparation Design & Model Results Reference
Cognitive Caffeine; 250 mg
Riedel et al. 1995
enhancement (vs. 2 mg nicotine)
Common cold
relief
Laxative
Caffeinated coffee
(1.5 mg/kg
caffeine/b.w.); vs.
decaffeinated
coffee & fruit juice
Caffeinated coffee
(240 mL; 150 mg
caffeine) vs. same
amounts of
decaffeinated
coffee, water or
1000 kcal meal
Clinical trial,
double-blind
placebo-controlled,
cross-over design;
Clinical trial,
randomized
controlled; n=46
healthy volunteers
with common cold
Clinical trial,
randomized
controlled; n=12
healthy subjects;
duration: 10 hour
period; measured
by ambulatory
colonic manometry
Attenuated scopolamineinduced
impairment of recall,
long-term memory retrieval
& cognitive measures;
showed cholinergic cognition
enhancing effects
Improved symptoms of colds;
increased alertness & speed at
performing psychomotor
tasks to healthy levels
Active; stimulated colonic
motor activity with a
magnitude similar to that of a
meal, 60% stronger than
water & 23% stronger effect
than decaffeinated coffee
Smith et al. 1997
Rao et al. 1998
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