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Guarana Seed

Guarana seed is of the tropical plant, Paullinia Cupana var. Sorbilis. 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 colored and easily separated when dried. The seeds of Paullinia Sorbilis are often used or mixed with those of P. Cupana. Guarana is made only by the Guaranis, a tribe of South American Indians.

	2 oz	4 oz	8 oz	1 lb
Guarana Seed Powder	$2.50	$3.50	$6.25	$10.50
Guarana Seed Whole	$4.93	$8.63	$15.41	$25.89

Properties/Uses - Nervine, tonic, slightly narcotic stimulant, aphrodisiac febrifuge. Guarana is a potent South American energy food with numerous health benefits. For thousands of years, native Amazonians have used the seed of the guarana berry to help maintain stamina and physical endurance. It has been used for various ailments such as stress and nervous tension, weight control, headaches and hangovers, and even menstrual pain. Guarana is known for its ability to ward off headaches, relieve cramps and fevers, and as an aphrodisiac. Maybe most responsible for its popularity was the belief by these people that their daily usage helped to prevent malaria and dysentery. It is still consumed today for all of these reasons. The fact that Guaraná seed is fatty means that even ground into a powder, it is not readily water soluble and therefore not quickly absorbed by the body. The caffeine is released slowly--over as much as 6 hours--so the energy boost that is experienced from Guaraná is not like that of coffee (with a sudden rush and quick drop-off), but continues to escalate over hours. The tannic acid is astringent and probably accounts for its use as a digestive tonic. The saponin content may be partially responsible for its long term effects (saponins are the agents responsible for the energizing effects of Ginseng when it is taken over long periods). Theobromine and theophylline are two constituents of Guaraná that educated chocoholics will recognize. Theophylline is a stronger stimulant than even caffeine, but it is present in smaller amounts than caffeine. Theobromine is the stimulant/euphoriant so craved by chocoholics; with all three of theobromine, theophylline, and caffeine present, it's not hard to see how the popularity of Guaraná has remained and grown since the 1600's!

Botanical Name - Paullina cupana

Part Used - Seed

Common Names/Synonyms - Paullinia, Guarana Bread, Brazilian Cocoa, Uabano, Uaranzeiro, Paullinia Sorbilis.

Cautions - All the same precautions/hazards associated with coffee apply to Guaraná. No side effects or contraindications with normal use. Disclaimer: Information provided is not designed to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any illness, or injury and is provided for informational purposes only. Always consult a medical doctor, or other alternative medical practitioner when suffering from any disease, illness, or injury, or before attempting a traditional or folk remedy. Keep all products away from children. As with any natural product, they can be toxic if misused.

Guarana Seed in larger sizes


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