Coca leaves by Amareyui
The coca plant is the evil origin of cocaine to humans from most parts of the world, but it serves important spiritual and medicial purposes in Peru. Coca has been used as a holy tribute to the nature gods dating back to the 1300 BC. Later, the Incas used it as a sign of nobility, and a specific gift to the sun god.
Coca tea is a popular way to comsume coca. Another way is to wrap a bundle of coca leaves with a small amount of volcanic ash and chew it. Consuming coca is said to be a good way to relieve altitude sickness and breathing difficulties.
