doctor requesting assistance re ethnobotany / pharmacology
 

Apologies for butting into the group but I have an interesting problem

I have a patient with a clinical condition matching that produced by
'Khat" (catha edulis). He is Sudanese (not Somali or E African) and
denies using Khat but cheerfully admits using a Sudanese plant product
he calls "al-soed", phonetically it sounds like Al-Sooodth"

It comes as dried material, not fresh like khat, and is chewed and held
inside mouth against the buccal mucosa. He says its use is normal in
Sudan.

It can apparently be bought on the street in ethnic communities here in
Edinburgh.

Any idea what this stuff could be and if it is pharmacologically
active, particularly amphetamine-like effects?

Thanks

Fionnbar Lenihan

doctor requesting assistance re ethnobotany / pharmacology
 

"Fionnbar" wrote in message
oups.com...
Apologies for butting into the group but I have an interesting problem

I have a patient with a clinical condition matching that produced by
'Khat" (catha edulis). He is Sudanese (not Somali or E African) and
denies using Khat but cheerfully admits using a Sudanese plant product
he calls "al-soed", phonetically it sounds like Al-Sooodth"

It comes as dried material, not fresh like khat, and is chewed and held
inside mouth against the buccal mucosa. He says its use is normal in
Sudan.

It can apparently be bought on the street in ethnic communities here in
Edinburgh.

Any idea what this stuff could be and if it is pharmacologically
active, particularly amphetamine-like effects?

Thanks

Fionnbar Lenihan


Perhaps this:
http://www.fred.psu.edu/ds/retrieve/...inepub/7855117

A street name is 'Saffa'; not the same as al-Soed, but similar?

--riverman

doctor requesting assistance re ethnobotany / pharmacology
 

Actually, anything that could be said here would be a pure guess. Vernacular
names are notoriously tricky.

A picture of a leaf (even dried) might help, but no guarantees
PvR

"Fionnbar" schreef
Apologies for butting into the group but I have an interesting problem

I have a patient with a clinical condition matching that produced by
'Khat" (catha edulis). He is Sudanese (not Somali or E African) and
denies using Khat but cheerfully admits using a Sudanese plant product
he calls "al-soed", phonetically it sounds like Al-Sooodth"

It comes as dried material, not fresh like khat, and is chewed and held
inside mouth against the buccal mucosa. He says its use is normal in
Sudan.

It can apparently be bought on the street in ethnic communities here in
Edinburgh.

Any idea what this stuff could be and if it is pharmacologically
active, particularly amphetamine-like effects?

Thanks

Fionnbar Lenihan

sounds like khat to me. it can be used dried too.
it is stored for longer periods dry.