Kola Nut for Energy: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Kola nut, or Kola Nitida, is the nut from a West African tree. It is commonly used there to sustain people during long periods of work. It is closely related to Kola Accuminata, which is used in beverages and also used in West Africa to improve digestion, and as a social drug for its euphoric and mildly stimulating properties. Kola Nitada can be found in health food stores and contains more caffeine than K. Accuminata, according to Dr. James Duke, author of "The Handbook of Nuts."

Kola Nut Uses

Kola nut is best known perhaps as one of the original ingredients in Coca-Cola. It is still used in some cola beverages, such as Blue Sky organic cola and Red Bull Simply Cola. However, most mainstream colas have replaced the original kola nut extract with a synthetic replica. It has been used traditionally as a stimulant, to improve digestion, to reduce hunger during religious fasting, and also as an antidiarrhea medicine. It is chewed in West and Central Africa like gum. People use it socially, and it is often offered upon entering a home. According to an article on Solar Navigator, kola nut is similar in some ways to the Native American tradition of the peace pipe.

Kola Nut Plant

The kola nut is the seed pod of a tall (over 65 feet) evergreen tree native to West Africa and the Atlantic coast of Central Africa. It is related to the South American cacao tree (Theobroma). There are more than 125 species of kola nut trees. The species with the most caffeine is Kola Nitada.

Kola Nut Dosage

Kola nut is a stimulant with a large amount of caffeine. An appropriate dose is between 1 to 2 tsp. of the powdered kola nut mixed with a liquid. Solar Navigator suggests mixing with coffee or milk. James Duke, in his book "The Handbook of Nuts," notes that kola nuts contain approximately 2 percent caffeine. The site Health 24 notes that there is more caffeine in kola nuts than in coffee, but less in guarana.

Kola Nut Health Considerations

Caffeine is the main ingredient in kola nuts causing its stimulating effect. Caffeine has been known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic, according to Duke. Caffeine is also known to be viracidal, and to kill a number of viruses. Kola nut has been listed on the "Harmful" page of Health Bulletin, noting studies, such as one from the "Journal of Applied Toxicology" showed nerve toxicity signs in animals. However, kola nut is on the GRAS (generally regarded as safe) list from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).