Guarana is a medicinal plant from the Sapindánceas family, also known as Uaraná, Guanazeiro, Guaranauva, or Guaranaína, very common in the Amazon region and the African continent. This plant is widely used in the manufacture of soft drinks, juices and energy drinks, but it is also widely used as a home remedy for lack of energy, excessive tiredness and lack of appetite.
The scientific name of the best-known guarana species is Paullinia cupana, and the seeds of this plant are dark and have a red bark, having a very characteristic aspect that is compared to the human eye.
For medicinal use, guarana seeds are usually roasted and dried, and can be purchased in their natural or powder form at health food stores, drugstores, open markets and some markets. Learn more about the benefits of powdered guarana.
What is it for
Guarana is a plant widely used to help treat headaches, depression, physical and mental tiredness, diarrhea, muscle pain, stress, sexual impotence, stomach pain and constipation due to its medicinal properties such as:
- Energetic; Diuretic; Analgesic; Anti-hemorrhagic; Stimulant; Antidiarrheal; Tonic.
Guarana can also be used to relieve the symptoms of hemorrhoids, migraines, colic and helps in weight reduction as it increases fat metabolism. This plant has some properties similar to green tea, mainly because it is rich in catechins, which are antioxidant substances. See more about the benefits of green tea and how to use it.
How to use guarana
The used parts of guarana are its seeds or fruits in powder form to make teas or juices, for example.
- Guarana tea for tiredness: dilute 4 teaspoons of guarana in 500 mL of boiling water and let stand for 15 minutes. Drink 2 to 3 cups a day; Mixture of guarana powder: this powder can be mixed with juices and water and the recommended amount for adults is 0.5 g to 5 g per day, depending on the indication of a herbalist.
In addition, guarana can also be sold in capsule form, which should be ingested according to the doctor's guidance. It is also recommended not to mix guarana in drinks that are stimulating, such as coffee, chocolate and soft drinks based on cola extract, as these drinks can greatly enhance the effect of guarana.
Main side effects
Guarana is a medicinal plant that normally does not cause side effects, however, if consumed in excess it can cause an increase in heart rate, leading to the sensation of palpitation, agitation and tremors.
Some substances present in guarana, called methylxanthines, can also cause irritation in the stomach and increase the volume of urine. The caffeine contained in guarana, can worsen anxiety symptoms and can cause insomnia, so use at night is not recommended.
What are the contraindications
The use of guarana is contraindicated for pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding, children and people with high blood pressure, kidney diseases, hyperfunction of the pituitary gland, gastritis, coagulation disorders, hyperthyroidism or with psychological disorders such as anxiety or panic.
It should also not be used by people with epilepsy or cerebral dysrhythmia, as guarana increases brain activity, and in people with a history of allergy to guarana, as its use can cause shortness of breath and skin lesions.
