Botanical Overview
Coffea arabica is a member of the Rubiaceae family, commonly known as Arabica coffee or simply coffee. The primary medicinal parts used are the seeds, commonly referred to as coffee beans. Native to Ethiopia and Yemen, it is now widely cultivated in tropical regions such as South America. The seeds contain notable bioactive compounds including caffeine and chlorogenic acids.
Energetics
Temperature: warming
Moisture: drying
Tastes: bitter
Directionality: ascending
Tonicity: tonifying
Qi/Blood/Fluid: qi
Primary Actions
- Stimulant
- Diuretic
- Mild analgesic
Indications
Western
- Fatigue
- Mental sluggishness
- Headache
- Mild respiratory congestion
Syndromes
- Mild depression
- Hypotension
- Mild obesity
TCM
- Spleen Qi deficiency
- Dampness accumulation
Syndromes
- Qi stagnation
- Phlegm accumulation
Ayurveda
- Kapha imbalance
- Mental lethargy
Syndromes
- Ama accumulation
- Vata imbalance
Unani
- Sopor
- Asthenia
Syndromes
- Humor imbalance (excess phlegm)
Constituents & Mechanisms
The seeds contain primary phytochemicals such as caffeine, chlorogenic acids, trigonelline, theobromine, and polyphenols. These contribute to its stimulant, antioxidant, and mild diuretic effects, influencing the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Dosage & Preparations
- Infusion: 1.5–2 g ground seed per cup
- Decoction: standard coffee brewing methods
- Extract (standardized caffeine content): typical doses 100–200 mg caffeine per dose
Safety & Contraindications
Due to caffeine content, use caution with insomnia, nervousness, and cardiovascular conditions. Contraindicated in hypertension, arrhythmia, anxiety disorders, and in pregnancy at high doses. May interact with stimulant drugs, MAO inhibitors, and lithium.
Astrological Correspondences
No well-established planetary or elemental rulers were identified with strong scholarly support for Coffea arabica.
Selected References
- Assessment report on Coffea arabica L., semen – European Medicines Agency, 2011
- Coffea arabica – Plants For A Future
- Coffee and Health – NIH NCCIH, 2020
- Traditional medicinal uses of Coffea arabica in Ethiopia – Tesfaye B. et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2013