What is it
Called Paulinia cupana, guarana is a climbing plant, evergreen, coming from the Amazon forest, where it grows mainly along the rivers, and belonging to the Sapindaceae family.
It can exceed 10 meters in height and is considered sacred by various Indian tribes, who have always used it for the treatment of diseases.
Activity
The dried plant contains at least 2.5% caffeine, which acts as a psychostimulant, improving attention and memory skills as well as mental performance and reducing the sense of fatigue.
Caffeine also accelerates the heartbeat together with a moderately vasodilator and diuretic action. It also promotes the mobilization of fats from adipose tissue.
Why is it used
Guarana is used as a mental tonic, to improve the level of attention, in case of memory deficit and / or psychic wasting, and as a slimming, by virtue of the lipolytic action, in conditions of overweight and obesity.
How to use it
Guarana paste is historically used by native South Americans as a stimulant, astringent and to counteract chronic diarrhea.
The seeds grated in water are used in case of fever, heart problems, headache, low back pain, migraine and fatigue caused by the heat.
Normally the dry extract titrated to 3% caffeine is used. The daily dosage is 400-800 mg of dry extract, corresponding to 12-24 mg of caffeine.
Effects
Guarana can give rise to overexcitement, tremor, insomnia, irritability, tachycardia and, in some cases, nausea and vomiting.
Side effects are mostly related to taking excessive dosages and for prolonged periods of time.
Precautions
Guarana is contraindicated in case of:
| Age | Under 10 years |
| Diseases | Hyperthyroidism, cardiac arrhythmias and heart disease in general, hypertension, peptic ulcer, anxiety syndromes |
| Other conditions | Pregnancy |
At excessive dosages it can cause hyperexcitation disorders (insomnia, agitation, euphoria). It should not be taken in the evening and requires caution in case of hypertension.
Interactions
Guarana increases the excretion of phenytoin (antiepileptic famaco), reducing its therapeutic effect.
Other important interactions include acetylsalicylic acid, antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants, lithium, fluoroquinolones, thyroid hormones, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease), macrolides and oral contraceptives.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.