Chris Kilham, known as the Medicine Hunter, recently documented his unique visit to Peru’s national coca company, ENACO, alongside partner Sergio Cam. This opportunity followed extensive discussions and provided insight into ENACO’s legal coca trade, allowing them to meet local growers and capture photographs of the facilities.
Kilham emphasized the crucial distinction between cocaine and the coca leaf: “People don’t understand the difference between a single, isolated … compound, cocaine, and a whole food, which is coca leaf.” Peru cultivates around 220,000 tons of coca leaf annually, with ENACO producing legal products such as tea and extracts.
Despite coca’s legality, Kilham noted logistical challenges, as major shipping companies like FedEx and UPS won’t transport ENACO’s alkaloid-free extract, forcing companies to consider more expensive freight options. He believes overcoming these hurdles could unlock significant opportunities for coca leaf extracts in dietary supplements.
Kilham is hopeful that a growing legal market benefits both consumers seeking nutritional supplements and the laborers in the Andes. For further insights into coca’s history and trade, readers can explore Kilham’s article in HerbalGram and supplementary videos on the American Botanical Council’s HerbTV.
Listeners can also enjoy more of Kilham’s adventures on the NutraCast podcast, available on various platforms.
