Guarana Herbal Infomation

NAME
Guarana


LATIN NAME
Paullinia Cupana

ALSO KNOWN AS
Guarana kletterstrauch, guaranastruik, quarana, quarane, cupana, Brazilian cocoa, uabano, uaranzeiro

ORIGIN
South America

PARTS USED
Seed, fruit


TRADITIONAL HERBAL USES AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF GUARANA
Guarana has been used for years in India as a heart tonic and a blood thinning agent, and interestingly western scientists have recently patented an extract of Guarana as capable of "inhibiting platelet aggregation", which basically means capable of thinning the blood, preventing the formation of clots and breaking down already formed clots. So as a cardio tonic it would seem that Guarana could be of great help in heart disease.

It has a nervine action and is known as a calming yet uplifting tonic, boosting energy levels, enhancing memory and increasing physical endurance. It is thought to be more effective than coffee or ginseng at creating instant energy boost to body and mind and it is an anti-oxidant.

It was traditionally used for headaches, migraine, pain relief, neuralgia, lumbago and rheumatism and it is now known in western herbalism to be good for:

Stimulating body/mind
Increasing the libido
Boosting energy levels
Dilates blood vessels
Soothes the nerves
Fights free radicals
Reduces weight
Relieves pain
Enhances memory
Kills bacteria
Thins the blood
Prevents heart disease.

It is known to be good as part of a weight loss plan, as it can speed up the metabolism, suppress hypoglycaemia, balance blood glucose levels, burn fat
and create a feeling of fullness.

Guarana has been popularised and used in many energy drinks, protein bars and miracle herbal formulas, however it is important to look out for standardization, as unfortunately sometimes the products are pumped full of chemical caffeine.


FOLKLORE AND HISTORY OF GUARANA
The tribes of the Brazilian Rain forest have used Guarana as a medicine for 1000's of years. It was taken traditionally as a stimulant and for treating chronic diarrhea, as a cardiovascular drug, pain reliever, and in the case of fever or migraine.

Guarana plays an important role in Tupi and Guarani Brazilian culture.
The Guaranís would make a drink by shelling and washing the seeds, followed by pounding them into a fine powder. The powder is kneaded into a dough and then shaped into cylinders. This product is known as guarana bread or Brazilian cocoa, which would be grated and then immersed into hot water along with sugar.


CONSTITUENTS OF GUARANA
Guarana constituents include caffeine, also known as Guaranine, phenols, tannins, theophylline, theobromine, alkaloids, terpenes, flavanoids, starch, and saponins.


TYPICAL PREPARATIONS AND
Suggested Dosage OF GUARANA:

Guarana Herbal Powder-
1 gram in the morning for a active day and weight loss & appetite suppression
3 to 5 grams in the early evening for a stimulating evening

Guarana Herbal Liquid
Extraction Ratio 1:1
Alcohol Vol. 45%
1-2ml in the morning for a active day and weight loss and appetite suppression
3-5 ml in the early evening for a stimulating evening
or as recommended by herbal practitioner.

PRECAUTIONS
Guarana is not recommended during pregnancy or breast feeding. It is contraindicative for people with high blood pressure, cardiac disorders, diabetes, ulcers, epilepsy and other chronic illnesses.