The use of coca leaves in this way goes back a long time in the archaeological record. In the Andes, distances are often measured in terms of coca chews. It is also a perfect manifestation of social life in the Andes. The leaves are high in calcium and are thus perfect for lactating mothers, and are also chock full of vitamins. The use of this plant also aids in digestion, and is particularly good for the digestion of high carbohydrate foods, like the potato.
Scene changes to show a high priest of a tribe in the northern part of Colombia.
The priests chew coca and leave their huts only at night. The women of the tribe are not allowed to chew coca, nor are the boys allowed this privilege until they marry. At the wedding ceremony, the young men are offered the sacred leaves for the first time, and are given a little lime pot and stick to help in the transfer of the alkaline powder to their mouth. Also, one of his kodachrome slides of a cartoon postcard that appeared in France during the last half of the nineteenth century shows the use of a wine tonic containing coca leaves. Pictured on this postcard are two ladies sitting at a caf table.