herb research - guarana

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Guarana

Botanical: Paullinia Cupana, Kunth. (H. B. and K.)

Family: N.O. Sapindaceae

* Description

* Constituents

* Medicinal Action and Uses

* Dosage

---Synonyms---Paullinia. Guarana Bread. Brazilian Cocoa. Uabano.

Uaranzeiro. Paullinia Sorbilis.

---Part Used---Prepared seeds, crushed.

---Habitat---Brazil, Uruguay. - NOTE: Dr Earle Sweet, Sayfer Botanicals,

points out that this is incorrect, Guarana does NOT grow in Uruguay. -

12/16/96

 

---Description---This climbing shrub took the name of its genus from C. F.

Paullini, a German medical botanist who died 1712. It has divided compound

leaves, flowers yellow panicles, fruit pear shaped, three sided,

three-celled capsules, with thin partitions, in each a seed like a small

horse-chestnut half enclosed in an aril, flesh coloured and easily

separated when dried. The seeds of Paullinia Sorbilis are often used or

mixed with those of P. Cupana. Guarana is only made by the Guaranis, a

tribe of South American Indians.

(Note: Marcos Garcia, Embrapa-CPAA, Manaus Amazonas, Brazil, also points

out " The origin habitat of Guarana is the Amazon Region. But actually it is

cultivated in others locations at Southest of Brazil. " - editor HTML

version - A MODERN HERBAL)

After the seeds are shelled and washed they are roasted for six hours, then

put into sacks and shaken till their outside shell comes off, they are then

pounded into a fine powder and made into a dough with water, and rolled

into cylindrical pieces 8 inches long; these are then dried in the sun or

over a slow fire, till they became very hard and are then a rough and

reddish-brown colour, marbled with the seeds and testa in the mass. They

break with an irregular fracture, have little smell, taste astringent, and

bitter like chocolate without its oiliness, and in colour like chocolate

powder; it swells up and partially dissolves in water.

---Constituents---A crystallizable principle, called guaranine, identical

with caffeine, which exists in the seeds, united with tannic acid,

catechutannic acid starch, and a greenish fixed oil.

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---Medicinal Action and Uses---Nervine, tonic, slightly narcotic stimulant,

aphrodisiac febrifuge. A beverage is made from the guaran sticks, by

grating half a tablespoonful into sugar and water and drinking it like tea.

The Brazilian miners drink this constantly and believe it to be a

preventive of many diseases, as well as a most refreshing beverage. Their

habit in travelling is to carry the stick or a lump of it in their pockets,

with a palate bone or scale of a large fish with which to grate it. P.

Cupana is also a favourite national diet drink, the seeds are mixed with

Cassava and water, and left to ferment until almost putrid, and in this

state it is the favourite drink of the Orinoco Indians. From the tannin it

contains it is useful for mild forms of leucorrhoea, diarrhoea, etc., but

its chief use in Europe and America is for headache, especially if of a

rheumatic nature. It is a gentle excitant and serviceable where the brain

is irritated or depressed by mental exertion, or where there is fatigue or

exhaustion from hot weather. It has the same chemical composition as

caffeine, theine and cocaine, and the same physiological action. Its

benefit is for nervous headache or the distress that accompanies

menstruation, or exhaustion following dissipation. It is not recommended

for chronic headache or in cases where it is not desirable to increase the

temperature, or excite the heart or increase arterial tension. Dysuria

often follows its administration. It is used by the Indians for bowel

complaints, but is not indicated in cases of constipation or blood

pressure.

---Dosage---Powder, 10 grains to 1/2 drachm. Fluid extract of Guarana,

U.S.P., 30 minims sweetened with one teaspoonful of syrup in water three

times a day.

As a strong diuretic 7 1/2 grains can be taken daily and in 24 hours it has

been known to increase urine from 27 OZ. to 107 OZ.

Tincture of Guarana, B.P.C., for sick headaches, 1 to 2 fluid drachms in

water.