Guarana
Guarana
Paulina cupana or Paullinia cupana
AKA: Guarana
Portrait: Perennial. Native to, and cultivated in, the tropical forests of the Brazilian Amazon. Bears yellow flowers that give rise to pear-shaped fruit containing pea-sized, shiny, brown seeds.
Medicinal Element: Seeds
Herbal Properties: Stimulant, tonic
Summary: The stimulating effect guarana has on the central nervous system is primarily a function of its caffeine content, which can peak out around 7% by volume. For comparison, coffee ranks around 0.06-0.32% by volume. Sometimes treated as an aphrodisiac among Brazilians, it is conventionally used by herbalists to treat tension headaches, migraine, fever, mild depression, and fatigue. Guarana lacks the alkaloids responsible for causing the “coffee jitters,” a property which makes it opportune for individuals who are sensitive to the typical sources of caffeine. Avoid using this herb if suffering from high blood pressure or heart disease.
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