Khat or qat (Oromo: "Jimaa" Somali: "Qaad/Khaad" "al-qāt"; "ch’at") is a flowering plant native to East Hararghe Zone and West Hararghe Zone of Ethiopia. Khat contains the alkaloid cathinone, a stimulant, which is said to cause excitement, loss of appetite, and euphoria. Among communities from the areas where the plant is native, khat chewing has a history as a social custom dating back thousands of years analogous to the use of coca leaves in South America and betel nut in Asia.