Guarana
Paullinia cupana

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

Native to the Amazon, Paullinia cupana or commonly known as Guarana is an evergreen climbing shrub growing about 13m in height. It has large leaves with five leaflets each leaf, and clusters of small, white flowers. The fruits are small, bright red, and splits open when ripe. Guarana is known for its large and black seeds, which contain high concentration of caffeine. Guarana seeds are used medicinally mainly as stimulant, astringent, and analgesic. It is used against diarrhea, fatigue, headaches and migraines, and mild depression. The seeds can be roasted and pounded to make a paste, which is then used to make a drink, or used as bread flavoring. It is used as a dietary supplement, and in carbonated soft drinks and energy shots. Plants are grown from seeds. However, seeds can become non viable after 72 hours in storage so it has to be sown fresh.

Paullinia cupana is an evergreen Climber growing to 10 m (32ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 10

Where it is found

Tropical rainforest at elevations up to 800 metres.

Northern and western S. America - Brazil.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Argentina, Australia, Brazil (native), Colombia, Mexico, North America, Peru, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, USA, Venezuela.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

The roasted and pounded seed is made into a paste which is then used to make a stimulating beverage that is rich in caffeine. The sweetened paste, called Brazilian chocolate, is used in soft drinks, candy etc. The seeds contain 2.7 - 7% caffeine as well as the stimulants theophylline and theobromine. The seeds contain up to 7% of a caffeine-like compound known as guaranine, which is not addictive and takes longer to be metabolized, giving it a gentler, more sustained stimulating effect. The seeds are also roasted, pounded, and used as a flavouring in bread.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Chocolate: substitutes for chocolate, that is.

Coffee: the various substitutes that can be used instead of coffee.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 2

Guarana seed contains xanthine derivatives, including up to 7% caffeine plus theobromine and theophylline; tannins and saponins. It is an astringent, bitter, diuretic herb with a strong, stimulant effect. The seed is said to be antipyretic, antineuralgic and antidiarrhoeal, and is also reputed to be a powerful stimulant, an analgesic comparable to aspirin and an anti-influenza agent. The Rainforest tribes have used guarana mainly as a stimulant, astringent and in treating chronic diarrhoea. The powdered seed is taken internally to relieve fatigue, aid concentration and lift the spirits. One report says that overuse can cause sleeplessness, although less so than caffeine-based drinks, whilst others say that the stimulating effect is due to caffeine. A useful short-term remedy for boosting energy levels, though it tends to inhibit the body's natural restorative processes if used in the longer term. The seed is also taken internally in the treatment of chronic diarrhoea; headaches and migraine; and in the treatment of mild depression

Antidepressant: Used to alleviate mood disorders, such as major depression and dysthymia and anxiety disorders such as social anxiety disorder.

Antidiarrhoeal: Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea. Also see Astringent.

Antipyretic: Treats fevers. See Febrifuge.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Bitter: Increases the appetite and stimulates digestion by acting on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Also increases the flow of bile, stimulates repair of the gut wall lining and regulates the secretion of insulin and glucogen.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Stimulant: Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating: 0

Other Uses None known

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Guarana is a plant of the humid lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 800 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 24 - 32°c, but can tolerate 18 - 38°c. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about 10°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,000 - 2,500mm, but tolerates 1,100 - 3,000mm. It does not like a dry season. Prefers a position in full sun, also succeeding in light shade. The plant requires a soil that is deep, medium or heavy in texture, well drained and with high organic matter content. Traditionally, plants are grown on very acid soils of low fertility with high concentrations of aluminium. It grows naturally on gley soils with a pH in the range 3.5 - 4.5. Prefers a pH in the range 4 - 5.5, tolerating 3.5 - 6.5. Bloom Color: White/Near White.

Propagating it: Seed - must be sown as soon as it is ripe since it loses viability within 72 hours. Germination can take more than 100 days.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Its other names

Local names

Guarana, brasilian cocoa, brazilian cocoa, cupana, guaraanaseeme, guarana, guarana (graine de), guarana (paullinia cupana), guarana kletterstrauch, guarana seed, guarana, siemen, guarana-strauch, guaranafrø, guaranasamen, guaranastruik, guaraná, guaraná, semilla de, guaránamag, nasienie paulinii gwarany, pauliniju seklos, paullinia, paullinia cupana seed, paullinia sorbilis, paulliniae semen, paulinijas seklas, seme gvarane, semeno paulinie nápojné, semeno paulínie, uarana, zerriegha tal-gwarana.

Synonyms

Paullinia sorbilis Mart.