Purpose of caffeine
The use of caffeine started when people of the stone age found that by ingesting parts of certain plants, they could stave off drowsiness and increase their own alertness. The majority of caffeine use arises out of the east including but not limited to China and the Persian world. In Arabian legends explains that caffeine was used to ward off sleep. Tea continued to grow in popularity in china and was often prescribed for medicinal purposes as well. During the 1821 coffee was considered by several doctors to be a medicine that reduces fevers. (CAMH , n.d)
Before it was extracted to become pure caffeine itself, it would be in the form of kola nuts , cocoa beans , and tea. Kola nuts would be chewed in many West African cultures to restore vitality and ease hunger.The cocoa bean was used by Ancient Mayans in a drink called xocolatl often seasoned with vanilla and Chile pepper. Xocolatl was used to fight fatigue due to its theobromine and caffeine content.(CAMH, n.d) |