GUARANA (Paullinia cupana)

Family: SAPINDACEAE
Species: cupana
Common Names: guarana, guarana kletterstrauch, guaranastruik, quarana, quarane, brazillian cocoa, uabano, uaranazeiro
Parts Used: fruit, seeds (from the vine)
Medicinal Properties: analgesic, antibacterial, aphrodisiac, astringent, cardiotonic, diuretic, febrifuge, nervine, purgative, stimulant, tonic, vasodilator
Internal Uses: arteriosclerosis, astringent, cardiotonic, coffee, cramps, depurative, diarrhea, dyspepsia, fatigue, fever, flatulence, headache, obesity, stimulant, depression, migraine, neuralgia, paralysis
Internal Applications: tea, tincture, capsules
Culinary uses: Used in sodas as an energizer and aid to weight loss. It is prepared by pulverizing and roasting the seeds, mixing with water, forming into bars, and then drying. It is occassionally mixed with chocolate.
Characteristics: bitter, sweet
Chemical Constituents: caffeine, theophylline, theobromine, guaranine, tannins, saponins
Contraindications: Can cause nervousness, insomnia, and vitamin B depletion. Can cause caffeine dependency. Avoid in cases of high blood pressure.
Habitat: Guarana native to the Amazon found in the regions of Manaus and Parintins is a creeping shrub. The fruit being small, round and bright red in color growing in clusters when ripen the fruit splits with a black seed emerging. South American Indian tribes used guarana as a medicinal plant by drying and roasting the seeds they then would mix into a past with water. This would be then used the same way as chocolate to prepare various foods, drinks, and medicines.

Comments: Guarana seeds contain up to 5% caffeine (25,000 to 75,000 ppm), as well as trace amounts of Theophylline (500 to 750 ppm) and theobromine (300 to 500 ppm). It also contains large quantities of tannins, starch, a saponin, and resinous substances. Guarana is used and well known for its stimulant and thermogenic action. Today in the United States, guarana is reputed to increase stamina and physical endurance. Presently, guarana is taken daily as a health tonic by millions of Brazilians, who believe it helps over come heat fatigue, combats premature aging, detoxifies the blood, and is useful for flatulence, obesity, dyspepsia, fatigue and arteriosclerosis. Also used in body care products for its tonifying and astringent properties. In 1998 U.S. patent was filled on guarana seed extract was capable of inhibiting platelet aggregation in mammalian blood. The patent described guaranás ability to prevent the formation of blood clots and to help in the breakdown of clots that had already been formed. In 1991 a Brazilian research group demonstrating these antiaggregation properties once again presented clinical evidence in conjunction with the patent in 1989, scientific validation is given to a plant used for centuries by the Indians as a heart tonic and to thin the blood.

Guarana Products

Item HB0118
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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose‚ treat‚ cure or prevent any disease.