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Guarana
|  Botanical name: Paullinia cupana
Also known as: Guarana, Brazilian cocoa, cupana, uabano
Family name: Sapindaceae
Natural habitat: Central Amazon
Guarana is an unique plant which grows almost exclusively in the Central Amazonian area in Brazil. The Indians see this plant as a gift from the gods. They are already aware of the stimulating effects of the seeds from this plant since thousands of years. The people of the Amazon region in Brazil chew the seeds or drink the powder dissolved in water as a source of energy.
The main active constituent in the seeds is caffeine. The seeds contain an average of 5% caffeine, which makes them 3 times stronger then coffee and 8 times stronger then Yerba Maté. The effect of Guarana is described differently though then the effect of coffee. The effect of Guarana has a longer duration then coffee. There are also many reports where Guarana functions as a mild antidepressant and as an aphrodisiac. Together with caffeine the seeds also contain several tanning agents. The combination of caffeine and these tanning agents are thought to cause these extra effects.
This stimulating effect made this plant immense popular in Brazil and other South American countries. It’s only since the nineties that Guarana also became popular outside South America. These days Guarana is often used as an ingredient for energy drinks, ‘herbal xtc’s’ and many other products.
Guarana grows mainly in the Central Amazon area in Brazil. Cultivation outside Brazil is only known in Uruguay, Central America and Sri Lanka. Attempts to cultivate Guarana outside these areas have not been very successful yet. It’s a large, woody, vinelike creeper which can grow over twelve meters long. Usually the spreading branches climb up very quickly being supported by other trees. The seeds have a shape like an eye. The Indians interpret this as a signature for mystical vision. For this reason, the Indians do not pick the berries until the first “eye” has opened. | | 
| |  Menu: Herbs / Herbs
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