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Science & Nature • Botany

Khat

Khat (*Catha edulis*) is a flowering evergreen shrub or small tree native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Khat (Catha edulis) is a flowering evergreen shrub or small tree native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its fresh leaves and shoots are chewed for their stimulant effects, which come mainly from the alkaloids cathinone and cathine. The plant has long cultural significance in parts of the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.

Description

Khat is a flowering evergreen shrub or small tree in the family Celastraceae. It is commonly described as native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and is grown in warm, dry regions.

Uses and effects

The fresh leaves and young shoots are chewed for stimulant effects. Reported effects include increased alertness, talkativeness, reduced appetite, and mild euphoria.

Chemistry

The main psychoactive compounds in khat are cathinone and cathine. Cathinone is the more potent stimulant and breaks down after harvest, which is why freshness matters for use.

Khat chewing has long been part of social and cultural life in some communities, especially in Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, and neighbouring regions. Its legal status varies widely, and it is restricted or controlled in many countries.

Key facts

  • Khat is the sole species in the genus Catha.
  • The plant is usually used as fresh leaves, twigs, and shoots.
  • Its stimulant effects are associated mainly with cathinone and cathine.
  • Khat chewing has a long cultural history in parts of East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
  • Khat and its active chemicals are controlled substances in several countries, including the United States.
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Canadian context

Khat is relevant to Canadian readers mainly through public health, customs, and controlled-substance regulations. Canadian sources and consumer references describe it as banned or restricted in Canada, making it of interest in legal and immigration contexts.

Frequently asked questions

What is khat?
Khat is a flowering evergreen shrub (Catha edulis) whose fresh leaves and shoots are chewed for stimulant effects.
Where is khat native to?
Khat is native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, especially the Horn of Africa region.
What chemicals in khat cause its effects?
The main active compounds are cathinone and cathine, both stimulant alkaloids.
How is khat usually used?
It is usually chewed fresh as leaves, twigs, or young shoots rather than eaten as a prepared food or medicine.
Is khat legal in Canada?
Khat is described in available sources as banned or controlled in some countries, and it is commonly treated as a controlled substance. The exact legal status can depend on the chemical content and applicable Canadian law.
Why is freshness important for khat?
Fresh khat contains more cathinone, the main stimulant compound, which degrades after harvest.

References

  1. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration — https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Khat-2020_0.pdf
    Supports: Describes khat as a flowering evergreen shrub, its use for stimulant effects, its active ingredients cathine and cathinone, and its native range.
  2. European Union Drugs Agency — https://www.euda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/khat_en
    Supports: Identifies khat as leaves and fresh shoots of *Catha edulis*, notes it is cultivated in East Africa and the South-West Arabian Peninsula, and names cathinone and cathine as principal active components.
  3. PubMed — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19921126/
    Supports: Summarizes khat as a shrub chewed for centuries, its stimulant effects, and the main compounds cathinone and cathine.
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/khat-plant
    Supports: Provides botanical description, native range, and general uses/effects.
  5. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division — https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/khat.pdf
    Supports: States that khat is *Catha edulis*, a flowering shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and notes its stimulant constituents.