بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
سنقدم لكم اليوم نباتا قد لا يكون مشهورا كثيرا في بلادنا
لكننا نستخدمة دون ان نعرف
انه نبات الغارنا
الغارانا guarana
التصنيف العلمي
القسم : Magnoliophyta
الصنف : Magnoliopsida
الرتبة : Sapindales
العائلة : Sapindaceae
الجنس : Paullinia
النوع : P. cupana
الاسم العلمي : Paullinia cupana Kunth
من الأسماء الشائعة : كاكاو البرازيل paullinia cupana
الغارانا guarana
شجيره زاحفة أصلها غابات الامازون المطيره في فنزويلا وشمال البرازيل .
الثمرة صغيرة ،حمراء مشرقة تحتوي على بذور سوداء تشبة بندق الاصطرك .
تعطي انطباعا وهي محمولة على النبات وكأن عيونا تنظر اليك
البذور تحتوي على مادة الكافيين التي تصل فيها من 4 الى 8 ? ، وذلك يعني اكثر من وجودها في حبوب البن ، التي تحتوي على مادة الكافيين بنسبة 1 الى 2.5 ?
غنية ايضا بمواد tannins و xanthine و theophylline و theobromine.
مكوناتِ البذرة الكيميائيةِ
المادة جزء النبات جزء في المليون
رماد البذرة <14,200
كافايين أَو guaranine البذرة 9,100 - 76,000
دهن البذرة <30,000
بروتين البذرة <98,600
راتنج البذرة <70,000
نشاء البذرة 50,000 - 60,000
تانين البذرة 50,000 - 120,000
Theobromine البذرة 200 – 400
Theophylline البذرة حتى 2500
الاستخدام
غالبا تستعمل كمنشطات ولزيادة اليقظه العقليه ، ومكافحة التعب ، وزيادة قوة الاحتمال والتحمل البدني.
وهو من المشروبات الشعبية جدا في البرازيل حيث يعتبر بمثابة مقوي صحي ، وينافس الكولا .
واحدة من اغنى مصادر مادة الكافيين ، التي تحتوي على ما يصل الى ثلاثة اضعاف ماتحويه القهوه من مادة الكافيين.
بالاضافة الى خواصه المنشطه ، ايضا تستعمل الحبوب في إنقاص الوزن .
وأشارت الأبحاث الى انه يقمع الشهيه ويزيد حرق الدهون.
وقد اجريت بحوث على حيوانات المخبر وتناولت الدراسه الاثر بعد 14 يوما من اضافة الغارانا على طعام الفئران على دهون الايض ووجد ان guarana قام بحرق الدهون ويعود ذلك التأثير الى المحتوي العالي من مادة الكافيين.
فبدون مادة الكافين فالغارانا لا اثر له على دهن الأيض.
مجلة psychopharmacology وجدت في دراسه ان الغارانا guarana يحسن الذاكرة ، والمزاج واليقظه بجرعة مخفضة (37،5 ملغ ، 75 ملغ) ومع ذلك ، أشارت دراسة اخرى للاستخدام الطويل لمادة الكافيين في الــ guarana على 45 فردا متقدمين في السن. ولم تكن هناك آثار ملموسة من guarana على سلامة الادراك.
الثمار قبل وبعد النضج
محاذير
لا ينبغي ان يستخدم من قبل أشخاص عندهم حساسيه الى مادة الكافيين او xanthines.
او مع حالات أمراض القلب ، والسكري ، وارتفاع ضغط الدم ، والصرع ، أوشدة نشاط الغده الدرقيه ، والقلق ، والأرق ، وأمراض الكلى وينبغي الا تستخدم guarana كعلاج الا تحت اشراف الطبيب المعالج.
أما بالنسبة للحوامل او المرضعات وحيث ان غالبية الاطباء توصي بالحد من الكافيين اثناء فترة الحمل والرضاعة ، لذا ينبغي تجنبه لان المحتوى العالي من مادة الكافيين تختلف من منتج الى منتج ، و ليس من الممكن بالنسبة للمستهلك التقدير بدقة كمية مادة الكافيين في منتج الغارانا guarana.
كما لا ينبغي أن يؤخذ مع اي منتجات تحتوي على ephedra.
فقد تحصل أثار سلبية خطيرة .وقد يزيد من خطر السكته الدماغيه ، النزف ، احتشاء قلبي ، والموت المفاجئ ويرتبط مع زيادة في دقات القلب ، وضغط الدم ، والتي يمكن ان تكون التغيرات في مستويات الجلوكوز والبوتاسيوم ضاره .
تقرير نشر في مجلة الأعشاب pharmacotherapy وصف حالة وجود شذوذ في ضربات القلب يسمى سابقا انكماش بطيني مرتبطه مع جرعات كبيرة من الـ guarana.
الاعراض الاولية للجرعة الزائدة من الـ guarana
صعوبة التبول ، والتقيؤ ، وتشنجات البطن .ويجب التماس العنايه الطبية فورا.
الاشكال الشائعه
مشروبات غازية
حبوب
مسحوق
الغارانا Guarana يمكن العثور عليها في شكل مسحوق او حبوب.
وهو مكون من مكونات مشروبات الطاقة ، sodas ، وغيرها من المشروبات.
التفاعل مع العقاقير
وجد انه قد يخفض تجمع الصفيحات thromboxane ، حتى انه قد يزيد من خطر النزيف عندما يؤخذ مع الاسبرين ، anticoagulants مثل الورفرين (coumadin ®) ، و مثبطات الصفيحات مثل ticlopidine (ticlid ®) ، clopidogrel (plavix ®) .
الـ Guarana لا ينبغي ان يقترن مع المثبطات ، وقد تسبب الصداع.
المصادر
ويكيبديا الانكليزية
Baghkhani l m وjafari "امراض القلب والاوعيه الدمويه وردود الفعل السلبيه المرتبطه بالـ guarana
المجلة العشبيه pharmacotherapy. 2،1 (2002) :57 - 61.
البرازيلي اليوميه للبحوث الطبية والبيولوجية. 21،3 (1988) :535 - 8.
ساو باولو المجله الطبية. 114،1 (1996) :1073 - 8.
مجلة psychopharmacology. 13 مار 2006.
علوم السميات. 83،2 (2005) :388 - 96.
المتعلقة بعضلة القلب والوفاه المفاجئه للفئران المعرضة الى مزيج من مادة الكافيين والايفيدرين".
رابط ملف للنبات
Gurana
Technical Data Sheet
Click to Download COAs
. .COA-Guarana Extract.Guaranine.20%Guarana seed.Concentrated Guarana Extract.
Material Safety Sata Sheet
Click to Download MSDS
. .MSDS-Guarana Extract.Guaranine.
Composition&Application:
Common Use: Guarana is a caffiene rich beverage from South America. In Brazil it is made into a popular cola drink known as Brazilian Cocoa which is used for energy and stimulation. Also used as a systemic cleanser, nervine tonic, anti-fatigue stimulant and is known to reduce hunger, relieve headaches including migraines, help alleviate PMS symptoms and has a reputation as an aphrodisiac. 10 to 30 drops to 3 times daily or as needed. This herb contains caffeine and should not be overused. Not recommended if pregnant or nursing.
Guarana is the South American way to promote long-endurance energy. Harvested from the Amazon rain forests, this herb is also used to support mental alertness and fight fatigue. It is widely used in soft drinks throughout Brazil. Guarana is useful to improve athletic performance, fight fatigue, and support weight loss. Guarana's nutritional virtues are fast making it a household name here in North America as well.
Guarana and Gurana Extract:Phytochemicals,Botanical Info and History....
seminal trace...Guarana Extract,guarana seed extract,Guaranine.20%.Brazilian Cocoa extract,5:1.Concentrated Guarana Extract Maxman II.fat burning....
Basic Botanical info of Guarana:
Brazilian Guarana fruit (Paullinia cupana)
Guarana (Paullinia cupana)
Official Latin Name: Paullinia cupana
Common Names: Guarana, guarana kletterstrauch, guaranastruik, quarana, quarane, cupana, Brazilian cocoa, uabano, uaranzeiro
The botanical name of Guaran Paullinia cupana H.B.K. variety sorbilis (Mart.) Ducke, is derived from C. F. Paullini, a German medical botanist who lived in the 18th century.
Part Used: Seed, fruit
What is guarana?
The use of guarana in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
Guarana is also known as Paullinia cupana, paullinia, Brazilian cocoa, guarana bread, guarana paste or gum, and zoom. Guarana is also present in some soft drinks imported from South America in a manner similar to American soft-drinks fortified with caffeine.
Guarana contains very high concentrations of caffeine and has been used as a stimulant and appetite suppressant.
Guarana has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of guarana may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Guarana may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.
Guarana has been cultivated by South American Indians since pre-Columbian times. Guarana contains guaranine, which is chemically very similar to caffeine. Guaranine is released slowly, over as much as 6 hours time, so the energy boost that is experienced from Guarana is not like that of coffee with its sudden rush and quick drop-off. Rather, it continues to escalate over hours. Whereas caffeine provides a short- lived energy burst that overheats and excites the body, guaranine has a cooling action that revitalizes and relaxes. This is because Guarana contains other components that modify the activity of the guaranine.
Guarana has a similar chemical composition as coffee and may be helpful for increasing energy, endurance, headache, excess mental work, heat exhaustion, and weight loss due to its appetite suppressing qualities, and should be used cautiously be people suffering from cardiovascular disease. We extract with the appropriate solvents, high alcohol if necessary; then concentrate by vacuum distillation.
Guarana is an evergreen vine found growing in the wild basins of the Amazon rain forests. The indigenous people of the Amazon rain forest have used crushed guarana seed as a beverage and a medicine. Guaran¨¢ was used to treat diarrhea, decrease fatigue, reduce hunger, and to help arthritis.
Basic Botanical info of Guarana:
Phytochemicals and constituents of Guarana:
Plantation and Habitat:
Facts,Properties,Available forms:
Uses Guarana:
Theory and Scientific Support of Guarana:
History of Use with Natives: Guarana
Guarana Brief Summary:
Research Update:Paullinia cupana or Guarana
Phytochemicals and constituents of Guarana:
Chemical composition of Guarana seeds:
Vegetable fiber: 49.125 %
Reddish resin: 8.800 %
Starch: 8.350 %
Water: 7.650 %
Pectin, malic acid, mucilage, dextrin, salts: 7.470 %
Guarana-tannic acid: 5.902 %
Caffeine: 5.388 %
Yellowish steady oil: 2.950 %
Pyro-guarana acid: 2.750 %
Reddish colorant: 1.520 %
Amorphous substances: 0.606 %
Saponin: 0.060 %
Guarana's active components are guaranine and the alkaloids theobromine and theophylline. Guaranine is almost identical in chemical structure to caffeine and has many of the same effects. Guarana also contains tannins, which may account for its traditional use to treat diarrhea.
The first chemical examination of guarana seeds was performed by the German botanist Theodore von Martius in the 1700s. He isolated a bitter, white crystalline substance with a remarkable physiological action. Von Martius named this substance guaranine, and it was later renamed caffeine. Many today still believe guaranine to be a unique phytochemical in guarana . It is, however (according to chemists), caffeine. As one group of researchers put it, guaranine is a product of crude laboratory processes and "should be considered non-existent, being in reality impure caffeine." Guaranine is probably just caffeine bound to a tannin or phenol. In living plants, xanthines (such as caffeine) are bound to sugars, phenols, and tannins, and are set free or unbound during the roasting process. Guarana seeds contain up to 4-8% caffeine (25,000 to 75,000 ppm), as well as trace amounts of theophylline (500 to 750 ppm) and theobromine (300 to 500 ppm). They also contain large quantities of alkaloids, terpenes, tannins, flavonoids, starch, saponins, and resinous substances.
The xanthine alkaloids (caffeine, theophylline, theobromine) are believed to contribute significantly to guarana's therapeutic activity. In clinical studies, theophylline stimulates the heart and central nervous system, enhances alertness and alleviates fatigue. It also has strong diuretic activity and reduces constriction of the bronchials, making it useful in asthma. Theobromine has similar effects. Certainly many traditional uses of guaran¨¢ may be explained by its caffeine content. Among its many documented effects, caffeine has been shown to facilitate fat loss and reduce fatigue.
The main chemicals found in guarana are: adenine, allantoin, alpha-copaene, anethole, caffeine, carvacrol, caryophyllene, catechins, catechutannic acid, choline, dimethylbenzene, dimethylpropylphenol, estragole, glucose, guanine, hypoxanthine, limonene, mucilage, nicotinic acid, proanthocyanidins, protein, resin, salicylic acid, starch, sucrose, tannic acid, tannins, theobromine, theophylline, timbonine, and xanthine.
Plantation and Habitat:
Guarana plant is a woody vine that climb the trees, reaching 10 metres in height. Thus, when cultivated in the open, it adopts a shrubby habit, growing to a maximum 2 to 3 metres in height.
It's cultivation dates to pre-columbian times. The indians, the first inhabitants of the Amazon, domesticated the guaran¨¢ plant. Botanists actually believe that the current plants, even those found in dense forests, are the remains of indigenous cultivation in the past. Guarana was, amongst others, grown by the Mau and Andira tribes from the 'lower Amazon'.
The guarana plant has divided compound leaves and flowers yellow panicles during the driest months of the year, the fruit ripening about two to three months later. The fruit is pear shaped, three sided, has three-celled capsules with thin partitions and in each a seed like a small horse-chestnut half enclosed in an aril. The seeds form a bunch. When ripe, the fruit is red, with some orange and yellow tones. The fruit then partially opens, showing part of the seeds. The fruit now looks like an eye and this appearance lead to legends told by the indians. At this stage the seeds are harvested, to prevent them from falling on the ground.
Harvesting is done by hand, after that the seeds should be stored in a heap in a shelter for two or three days to allow a slight fermentation. Following this, the shells are removed either by hand or machine and then left to dry in open air or dried artificially. Commercial guarana is produced only from the seeds: all other parts of the fruit are discarded.
Further processing consists of roasting, after the seeds are sieved to be able to roast the seeds more uniformly. Roasting is done preferably in clay ovens for about four to five hours, until the seed reaches about 9% humidity. We have now roasted guarana grain, also known as guarana em rama.
Guarana comes from the seeds of a South American shrub ¨C most of which originates in Brazil. Traditional uses of guarana by natives of the Amazonian rain forest include crushed seeds added to foods and beverages to increase alertness and reduce fatigue. As a dietary supplement, it is no wonder that guarana is an effective energy booster ¨C as it contains about twice the caffeine found in coffee beans (about 3-4% caffeine in guarana seeds compared to 1-2% for coffee beans). Concentrated guarana extracts, however, can contain caffeine at levels of as much as 40-50%, with popular supplements delivering 50-200mg of caffeine per day (about the same amount found in 1-2 cups of strong coffee). As with any caffeine-containing substance, too much can lead to nervousness, tension and headaches.
Guarana is also known by the names Brazilian Cocoa, Uabano, and Uaranazeiro.
Guarana is a climbing shrub native to South America. The indigenous people of the Amazon rain forest used crushed Guarana seed both as a beverage and a medicine.
Besides its refreshing and nutritive value, Guarana was said to treat diarrhea, decrease fatigue, reduce hunger, and help arthritis. It also has a history of use in treating hangovers from alcohol abuse and headaches related to menstruation.
The plant was introduced into Europe by a physician who was from Brazil. It came to be employed in the treatment of migraine and nervous headaches, neuralgia, paralysis, urinary tract irritation, and other ailments, as well as continuing to be administered for chronic diarrhea. A beverage is made from Guarana sticks, by grating half a tablespoonful into sugar & water, and drinking it like tea. Brazilian miners drink this constantly, and believe it to be a preventive of many diseases, as well as a most refreshing beverage. 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 body temperature, or excite the heart or increase arterial tension. Primary chemical constituents of this herb include caffeine, theophylline, theobromine, guaranine, tannins, and saponins. Guaranine (which is nearly identical to caffeine) and the closely related alkaloids theobromine and theophylline make up the primary active agents in Guarana. Caffeine's effects (and hence those of guaranine) are well known, and include stimulating the central nervous system, increasing metabolic rate, and having a mild diuretic effect. Though Guarana contains caffeine, it is more slowly absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract and thus has a longer-lasting effect than coffee. The tannins, which are astringent, help to curb diarrhea. Guarana has also shown some ability to inhibit blood platelet aggregation, and the herb is considered a nervous system stimulant.
Facts,Properties,Available forms:
Guarana contains a high amount of guaranine, a chemical substance with the same characteristics as caffeine. This makes Guarana a stimulant similar to coffee, which means that it:
1.quickens perceptions
2.delays sleep
3.helps with endurance based activities
4.can help to recover from a hangover
5.impairs the appetite
6.will lead to more frequent visits to the toilet
7.causes a higher blood pressure and an increased heart rate
8.can make you feel jittery and may prevent sleep at all.
Guarana is usually available in four forms: Guarana em rama, roasted guarana Simply the roasted seed, as sold by the amazon farmers to cooperative unions, middlemen and industry.
Guarana on a stick: After roasting, the seed is ground into a powder, mixed with water into a dough, which is subsequently moulded onto a stick. These sticks are then dried over a moderate fire until they become hard.
Guarana powder: After grinding, the powder is sold. This is usually the form it is available in retail outlets, like health shops. A fourth form, syrup, used for making soft drinks, is also gaining ground. This form is usually limited to larger industries.
Properties: Guaran consists of 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.
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 high blood pressure.
Uses Guarana:
Sticks were initially used by Indians, who grated the stick using the sharp, rasp like, tongue of the Pirarucu fish. The grated powder was then mixed into a drink with water and sugar.
The sticks are also used by the Satar Maw tribe and its descendants who use it to make moulded figures, which are a popular item with tourists.
The powder is widely available and can be mixed with water or fruit juice and some sugar in the same way.
In Europe, guarana was first marketed as an alternative, medicinal plant from the Amazon, beneficial to the overall health and the powder for was (and still is) sold in health shops.
Some retailers promote it as an afrodisiac, however, there is not much evidence for this at the moment.
More recently, guarana has been discovered as an alternative smart drug in the house/rave scene and some (expensive) drinks have come on the market. These drinks bear, as far as I have experienced, no resemblance with the Brazilian style softdrink. Some see guarana as mind expanding, but the only effect it has is similar to that of caffeine. A strong cup of coffee would probably provide more caffeine at a lower price.
Guarana chewing gum is available, sometimes referred to as "Buzz Gum", adverstised as giving you extra energy.
Even guarana cigarettes were seen, with a logo that resembles a hemp plant on the packet. This is a very strange use of guarana and it is doubtful that it will have either the suggested 'mind altering' effect or be much beneficial to ones health. If someone does know more about this, please let me know.
The syrup is used for the manufacture of carbonated soft drinks, which are very popular in Brazil. It is usually one of the things Brazilians miss when they are abroad.
This variety is what inspired these pages, so they might be slightly biased to the soft drinks.
Tribal and Herbal Medicine Uses:
The uses of this plant by the Amerindians predates the discovery of Brazil. South American Indian tribes (especially the Guaranis, from whence the plant's name is derived) dry and roast the seeds and mix them into a paste with water. They then use it much the same way as chocolate - to prepare various foods, drinks, and medicines. The rainforest tribes have used guarana mainly as a stimulant and as an astringent (drying agent) for treating chronic diarrhea. It is often taken during periods of fasting to tolerate dietary restrictions better. Botanist James Duke cites past and present tribal uses in the rainforest: as a preventive for arteriosclerosis; as an effective cardiovascular drug; as an pain-reliever, astringent, stimulant, and tonic used to treat diarrhea, hypertension, fever, migraine, neuralgia, and dysentery.
Over centuries the many benefits of guarana have been passed on to explorers and settlers. European researchers began studying guarana (in France and Germany) in the 1940s, finding that Indians' uses to cure fevers, headaches, cramps, and as an energy tonic were well-founded. Guarana is used and well known for its stimulant and thermogenic action. In the United States today, guaran¨¢ is reputed to increase mental alertness, fight fatigue, and increase stamina and physical endurance. Presently, guaran¨¢ is taken daily as a health tonic by millions of Brazilians, who believe it helps overcome heat fatigue, combats premature aging, detoxifies the blood, and is useful for intestinal gas, obesity, dyspepsia, fatigue, and arteriosclerosis. The plant, considered an adaptogen, is also used for heart problems, fever, headaches, migraine, neuralgia, and diarrhea. Guarana has been used in body care products for its tonifying and astringent properties, and to reduce cellulite. Guarana also has been used as an ingredient in shampoos for oily hair and as a ingredient in hair-loss products. In Peru the seed is used widely for neuralgia, diarrhea, dysentery, fatigue, obesity, cellulite, heart problems, hypertension, migraine, and rheumatism.
Today the plant is known and used worldwide (and is the main ingredient in the "national beverage" of Brazil: Guarana Soda!). Eighty percent of the world's commercial production of guaran¨¢ paste is in the middle of the Amazon rainforest in northern Brazil-still performed by the Guarani Indians, who wild-harvest the seeds and process them into paste by hand. The Brazilian government has become aware of the importance of the local production of guaran¨¢ by traditional methods employed by indigenous inhabitants of the rainforest. Since 1980, FUNAI (the National Indian Foundation) has set up a number of projects to improve the local production of guaran¨¢. Now, under the direction of the FUNAI regional authority in Manaus, many cooperatives in the rainforest support indigenous tribal economies through the harvesting and production of guarana.
Main Actions (in order): stimulant, antioxidant, memory enhancer, nervine (balances/calms nerves), cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart)
Main Uses and brief Claims:
Promotes weight loss
Suppresses appetite
as a caffeine stimulant for energy
as a weight loss aid (suppresses appetite and increases fat-burning)
for headaches and migraines
to tone, balance, and strengthen the heart, as a blood cleanser, and to reduce/prevent sticky blood and blood clots
as a refrigerant (lowers body temperature) to prevent overheating and heat stroke
Increases energy levels / Reduces fatigue
Enhances physical and mental performance
Properties/Actions Documented by Research: analgesic (pain-reliever), antibacterial, antioxidant, hyperglycemic, memory enhancer, nervine (balances/calms nerves), neurasthenic (reduces nerve pain), platelet aggregation inhibitor (to prevent clogged arteries), stimulant, vasodilator
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use: anticoagulant (blood thinner), antiseptic, aphrodisiac, appetite suppressant, astringent, blood cleanser, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart), carminative (expels gas), central nervous system stimulant, digestive stimulant, diuretic, hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), laxative, menstrual stimulant, thermogenic (increases fat-burning)
Worldwide Ethnomedical Uses:
Amazonia: for arteriosclerosis, blood cleansing, cramps, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, fasting, fatigue, fever, headache, heart support, intestinal gas, malaria, obesity, and as a stimulant, aphrodisiac, and astringent
Brazil: for constipation, convalescence, central nervous system stimulation, depression, diarrhea, digestive problems, dysentery, exhaustion, fasting, fatigue, fever, gastrointestinal problems, headache, heart support, heat stress, intellect, intestinal gas, jet lag, lumbago, malaria, memory enhancement, menstrual problems, migraine, nervous asthenia, nervousness, neuralgia, rheumatism, skin disorders, stress, water retention. weakness, and as an adaptogen, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, appetite suppressant, and stimulant
Canada: for fever, libido enhancement, nervous disorders, and as a stimulant and tonic
Europe: for depression, diarrhea, exhaustion, fatigue, heart support, headache, migraine, nervous disorders, neuralgia, vaginal discharge, water retention, and as a stimulant and tonic
Latin America: for diarrhea, fatigue, hangovers, headaches and as a stimulant
Mexico: for diarrhea and as a stimulant
Peru: for cellulite, convalescence, diarrhea, dysentery, fatigue, fever, heart support, hypertension, migraine, nerve support, neuralgia, obesity, paralysis, rheumatism, and as an aphrodisiac, astringent, stimulant, tonic
South America: for arteriosclerosis, bowel problems, diarrhea, fever, heart support, nerve support, pain, and as an aphrodisiac, stimulant, tonic
U.S.: for appetite suppression, athletic enhancement, concentration, diarrhea, endurance, exhaustion, fatigue, headaches, mental depression or irritation, migraine, nerve support, obesity, PMS, vaginal discharge, water retention, and as an aphrodisiac, stimulant, tonic
Elsewhere: for convalescence, diarrhea, debility, dysentery, headache, lumbago, migraine, nerves, neuralgia, pain, rheumatism, water retention, and as an aphrodisiac, astringent, stimulant, tonic
Theory and Scientific Support of Guarana:
The theory behind how guarana works is relatively straightforward. The major active constituent is caffeine (sometimes called guaranine to make you think it is different in some way) and similar alkaloids such as theobromine and theophylline (which are also found in coffee and tea). Each of these compounds has well-known effects as nervous system stimulants. As such, they may also have some effect on increasing metabolic rate, suppressing appetite and enhancing both physical and mental performance.
Scientific Support:
The seeds of guarana are known to be rich in xanthines (caffeine) and have been widely used as a tonic in many South American countries particularly Brazil. In studies which have determined the total xanthine content of guarana powder, caffeine content typically averages 30-50% caffeine (depending on the extract). Related compounds such as theobromine and theophylline are found at levels of 1-3% and, like caffeine, can be detected in the urine for up to 9 days following guarana intake. Most of the scientific evidence on caffeine as a general stimulant and an aid to exercise performance shows convincingly that caffeine is effective. Consuming 3 to 6 mg of caffeine per kilogram (2.2 lbs) of body weight (about 350mg for an average sized man or 250mg for a woman) approximately 1 hour before exercise improves endurance performance without raising urinary caffeine levels above the International Olympic Committee (IOC) doping threshold. To reach that level, you?¯d need to take in about 800 mg of caffeine, which is about the amount found in 8 cups of coffee or 18 cans of Coke. As a weight loss aid, however, although caffeine may suppress appetite somewhat at high levels, on its own it does not seem to be a very effective supplement for increasing calorie expenditure (thermogenesis). When combined with other stimulant-type supplements however, it appears that caffeine can extend the duration of action in suppressing appetite and increasing caloric expenditure.
Safety The toxicity of guarana has been assessed in cellular and animal studies. In most cases, there is no significant danger, aside from the side effects of high caffeine intake, associated with guarana consumption. At least one study, however, found water extracts of guarana to cause genetic damage in cell cultures ¨C although it is unclear whether this suggests any health risk for humans consuming guarana extract as a dietary supplement. As with any caffeine-containing food, guarana extracts can lead to insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, headaches, high blood pressure and heart palpitations. Guarana is not recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating.
Value Caffeine is certainly an effective stimulant that can help increase the general state of arousal and enhance mental and physical performance. It is also widely available in common foods (coffee, tea, cola) and is relatively inexpensive. For an athlete or exerciser who needs a little ?°boost?± before athletic competition or exercise, a moderate amount of caffeine may be helpful. For individuals attempting to lose weight, however, guarana and caffeine do not appear to be especially effective as stand-alone weight loss aids, but in combination with other thermogenic and nervous system stimulants, the caffeine may extend the activity and potency of certain supplement ingredients.
Guarana Experiment:
Guarana is one of the best known and early documented medicinal plants from the Brazilian rain forest. The proper name is Paullinia cupana, or as the Maues-Sateres natives called it "secret eyes". The plant gets its name from its appearance in the rainforest: the fruit from the shrub hangs in great red bunches, much like red grapes. The red pods split to reveal a brown chestnut colored seed with a round white middle. As you walk in the forest it is like a million eyes starring at you.
Energy, Well Being, Weight Loss:
Advocating a healthy life style of diet, the typical doses were two 500 mg capsules three times per day for one week then reduced to twice a day for three months. scientists highlighted several case studies indicating that his patients found the addition of guarana to increase their energy level and often resulted in weight loss. Several patients were caffeine abusers and were often irritable, aggressive and had difficulty sleeping and concentrating. By reducing caffeine intake and prescribing guarana, symptoms of agitation and insomnia disappeared in weeks.
Several additional studies illustrate the potential of this plant. Two studies were carried out by Dr. Netterstrom a researcher at the State Hospital of Copenhagen. Netterstrom chose guarana due to its reputation for promoting energy and counteracting stress. Netterstrom connducted a double blind study covering an eight week period and established that guarana did have a positive effect on subjects "feelings" of being more energetic. The test also showed a slight but measureable weight loss in some and a drop of fibrinogen content of the blood. (Raised fibrinogen levels are associated with stress and considered to be a specific factor for heart disease. The links between heart disease and stress are well documented.) A year later Netterstrom repeated the study and extended the duration to three months. Again, 6 out of 8 subjects reported a higher energy level, for 5/8 there were decreases in fibrinogen levels and 4/8 showed an increase in HDL (good cholesterol). No long term negative effects were observed. While this experiment does not prove that guarana reduces stress or generates energy, the participants in both studies perceived an energy boost and the findings of a significant drop in fibrinogen levels (which are known to rise under periods of stress) do support the claims made for the plant by the rainforest Indians.
In an elegant small study, Reading Scientific Services Limited examined the effects of guarana on mood and performance. The RSSL has developed a series of computerized tasks which allow measurement of the speed and accuracy of subjects performance on a series of tasks. Before the programme the subject"s undertake the computerized tests yielding base-line performance information. This test was of particular importance as it compared the effects of two levels of caffeine to guarana and a placebo. The participants were given the high dose caffeine, the low dose caffeine, the guarana, or the placebo capsule on each of four test days. The study was conducted blind (the participants were not told the identity of the samples given. Before they were given the capsules, base line measurements were taken each day. Each participant was given two capsules and monitored over 4 hours.
The results were as follows:
Doses of guarana resulted in the fastest reaction times
Doses of guarana improved the speed of hand eye coordination
Doses of guarana slightly improved accuracy of hand eye coordination
High doses of caffeine had an adverse impact on speed and accuracy of hand-eye coordination
Guarana had a positive effect on the alertness of the participant, significantly higher than the high caffeine dose.
Guarana had a positive effect on the feeling of friendliness vs antagonistic, sociable and outgoing in comparison to the other three capsules.
RSSL conclusions were that guarana had a strong and consistently positive effect on reported mood and some positive effects on performance. Caffeine at low dose had some positive effects, but at high dose had some negative effects on both mood and performance.
In the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, (1997) Espinola et al published a study which showed increased physical activity in rats, increased physical endurance under stress and increased memory with single doses and multiple doses of guarana extract. The researchers also found that whole guarana seed extract performed better and more effectively than did a comparable dose of ginseng extract or caffeine.
Weight Loss:
Guarana contains a substance similar to caffeine called guaranine. Guaranine stimulates the central nervous system, increases metabolism, and has a mild diuretic effect. It has been suggested that in combination with ephedra or ephedrine, guarana (guaranine) may be effective in helping to promote weight loss. This effect is probably due to an appetite suppressing mechanism, an increase in calorie burning, or both.
In a June 2001 issue f Journal of Human Nutrition Diet, guarana extract induced weight loss over 45 days in over weight patients taking a mixed herbal preparation containing yerba mate, guarana, and damiana. Body weight reductions were 11.22 pounds in the guarana group compared to less than one pound in the placebo group after 45 days. There are several patents comprising weight loss formulas containing guarana and/or guarana extracts (US Patent #5,945.107).
Heart Health: There is also a recent patent by Ravi M.T. Subbiah of University of Cincinnati (US patent # 4,861,594) which found that guarana was again good for "blood health" as it reduced the aggregation of platelets that can lead to blood clot formation and therefore heart attacks and strokes. In 1991 at the American College of Cardiology meeting, a paper was presented suggesting that taking an aspirin a day produced a 25% reduction in heart attacks, strokes and death in patients that were already suffering from slightly high blood pressure, raised cholesterol levels or with a family history of blood clotting disorders or heart disease. Guarana maybe just as effective and lack the side effects (stomach upset, etc. ) of aspirin. Prevention is better than cure!
Reduce shadows: Brazilian Guarana Extract contains a high level of caffeine, which immediately helps eliminate dark circles under eyes.
Mental alertness:
Guarana Extract increases mental alertness and combats fatigue and is a very high source of energy. Guarana is a source of naturally occurring caffeine. Although it contains a higher percentage of caffeine than coffee, it has other beneficial components that tent to cause its stimulating effects to be more gentle that coffee and other sources of caffeine.
The Sunday Times (12 April 1987) reported that Brazilians are so convinced of the power (energy boost) of guarana that an estimated 2 million cups of guarana tea a day are consumed.
There is some confusion over the chemistry of the compounds which produce this energy, positive feeling. Guarana does contain some caffeine and depending on the source and manufacturing can contain theobromine and theophylline. Guarana is similar to chocolate in that respect. However, the caffeine content alone cannot explain the health benefits associated with guarana. For example, a typical cup of tea has 2X the amount of caffeine and a typical cup of cappacio has 5X the amount of caffeine as a typical 1 gram dose of guarana (1993 International Journal of Pharmacognosy, Houghton, PJ, Bempong and Steadman). Van Straten belives that it is the combination of the caffeine, theobromine, theophylline nicotinic acid and other compounds that make this seed effective.
History of Use with Natives: Guarana
First discovered by the Maues-Sateres Indians guarana has been used as a useful food and stimulant for thousands of years. The first written record of guarana and its potential health properties was by a missionary named Bettendorf, who wrote that guarana was used by the Indians to help them cope with the extreme heat, carry them through long journeys, to suppress the appetite and to relieve headaches, cramps and fever. The Indians say that Guarana prevents and combats fatigue, stimulates brain function, aids concentration, relieves headache and menstrual pain, helps the body rid of excess water, combats the discomfort of extreme heat, speeds recovery after illness and reduces appetite.
In 1893, Everybody"s Pocket Encyclopedia published by Saxon and Co. wrote this note:
Megrim or sick headache.- There are several varieties of megrim, the best forms being hemicrania, blind headache, and bilious headache. One of the best remedies for this complaint is Guarana or Brazilian cocoa. which should be taken in five grain doses, three times per day.
In 1931 a book called The Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve and Mrs. C. F. Leyel- describes Guarana as a "nervine, tonic, stimulant, aphrodisiac and debrifuge....The tannin it contains is useful for mild forms of diarrhea and its chief use in Europe and America is for headache...It is a gentle excitement and serviceable where the brain is irritated or depressed by mental exertion, or where there is fatigue or exhaustion from hot weather...Its benefit is for nervous headache or the distress that accompanies menstruation exhaustion following dissipation...It is used by the Indians for bowel complaints.
Guarana and how it is Understood by Scientific Research Today:
There is a growing body of modern scientific research that supports the efficacy of guarana as a phytochemicals /medicinal plant. Michael van Straten is a leading practitioner of complementary medicine. In the 1980s, he began treating patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Many of his patients were referred to him after typical testing for anemia, thyroid problems, leukemia, etc, had been ruled out.
This plant has been in regular use by millions of people for thousands of years and so far there is no evidence of adverse effects.
Guarana Brief Summary:
Guarana is an herbal stimulant that contains a form of caffeine called guaranine, which is 2.5 times stronger than the caffeine found in coffee, tea and soft drinks. What makes guaranine unique from caffeine found in beverages is its slower release. That's because the guarana seed is fatty (even in powder form) and is not readily water-soluble. Therefore the body does not quickly absorb it.
Since the guaranine is released slowly, the energy boost that is experienced from guarana is not like that of coffee with its sudden rush and quick drop-off. Rather, it continues to escalate over hours.
While caffeine from beverages provides a short-lived energy burst that overheats and excites the body, guaranine has a cooling action that revitalizes and relaxes. This is because guarana contains other components that modify the activity of this substance. The end result is more beneficial to the body than tea or coffee.
Guarana accelerates the effectiveness of CLA, thus making CLA a more potent fat burner. Guarana has been shown to stimulate the migration of lipids so fat can be burned as energy. It is also an appetite suppressant.
Guarana aids in a temporary, natural increase in body temperature and metabolic thermogenesis through nutritional stimulation of the body's receptor pathway, which can induce the breakdown and release of stored body fat, thereby allowing stored fats to be turned into energy.
Thermogenesis refers to the body's production of heat, a normal part of metabolic processes. Thermogenesis can be enhanced by certain nutritional substances. When stimulated through appropriate dietary supplementation, thermogenesis is also a mechanism that increases metabolic rate. Stored body fat, if released and available for use, can provide the fuel for this increased metabolic rate. Other active constituents of guarana are theobromine and theophylline, which are called xanthines (a class of thermogenic substances found in coffee, tea and certain beans). They have some effect on increasing metabolic rate, suppressing appetite and enhancing both physical and mental performance. They also act as muscle relaxants and possess diuretic properties.
Guarana increases mental alertness, fights fatigue, and increases stamina and physical endurance. Native to Brazil, guarana is taken daily as a health tonic by millions of Brazilians. It is reported to help overcome heat fatigue, detoxify the blood and is useful for flatulence and obesity. In body care products, it has been used for its tonifying and astringent properties, and in the treatment of cellulite.
In the United States, guarana holds a GRAS-status (Generally Regarded As Safe). In 1989 a patent was filed on a guarana seed extract that was capable of inhibiting platelet aggregation in mammals. The patent described guarana's ability to prevent the formation of blood clots and to help in the breakdown of clots that had already been formed. Clinical evidence was presented in conjunction with the patent in 1989 and again in 1991 by a Brazilian research group demonstrating these antiaggregation properties. Guarana has a long history of use as an energy tonic and for mental acuity enhancement.
In a study published in the June 2001 issue of the Journal of Human Nutrition Diet, guarana extract induced weight loss over 45 days in overweight patients taking a mixed herbal preparation containing yerbe mate, guarana and damiana. Body weight reductions were 11.22 pounds in the guarana group compared to less than one pound in the placebo group after 45 days.
Guarana extract and fractions decreased platelet aggregation up to 37% of control values and platelet thromboxane formation from arachidonic acid up to 78% of control values. When platelets hyperaggregate and/or when excess thromboxane formation occurs, an arterial blood clot can develop, resulting in a heart attack or ischemic stroke.
In a 1997 study, guarana increased physical activity of rats, increased physical endurance under stress and increased memory, with single doses as well as with chronic doses. Interestingly enough, the study revealed that a whole guarana seed extract performed better and more effectively than did a comparable dosage of caffeine or ginseng extract.
Another Brazilian research group has been studying guarana's apparent effect of increasing memory. Its antibacterial properties against E. coli and Salmonella have been documented as well.
A 1998 toxicology study with animals have shown that guarana is nontoxic at even high dosages of up to 2 grams per kilogram of body weight. This same study demonstrated guarana's antioxidant properties saying, "Guarana showed an antioxidant effect because, even at low concentrations (1.2 microg/ml), it inhibited the process of lipid peroxidation."
A major advantage to taking guarana in an oil base capsule is its relatively slow release into the body. In a study published in the journal Pharmacology Biochemical Behavior, a comparison was made of the absorption of caffeine from coffee, cola or capsules. Based on saliva caffeine concentrations, the absorption from capsules was about 40% slower than that of coffee or colas. These capsules were not oil-based, yet the rate of caffeine absorption was still significantly slower than coffee or cola.
Safety and Toxicity: The toxicity of guarana has been assessed in cellular and animal studies. In most cases, there is no significant danger, aside from the side effects of high caffeine intake, associated with guarana consumption. At least one study, however, found water extracts of guarana to cause genetic damage in cell cultures although it is unclear whether this suggests any health risk for humans consuming guarana extract as a dietary supplement. As with any caffeine-containing food, guarana extracts can lead to insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, headaches, high blood pressure and heart palpitations. Guarana is not recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating.
Possible Side Effects:Guaranine, a chemical compound found in gurana, produces many of the same effects as caffeine. Individuals with conditions that may be complicated by high caffeine intake (including insomnia, depression, and pregnancy) should consult with a physician before adding guarana to their diet.
Although rare, serious side effects from guarana have been reported. Stop taking guarana and seek emergency medical attention if you experience :a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives; or irregular heartbeats or chest pain.
Other less serious side effects may also reported with the use of guarana. Talk to your doctor or health care provider if you experience:heartburn;upset stomach;loss of appetite;constipation or diarrhea;nervousness, irritability, or anxiety;sleeplessness;irregular heartbeats; or headache.
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome: Anxiety; diarrhea; headache; increased urination; nausea; nervousness; shakiness; tremors; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur: Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; irregular heartbeat; seizures.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Dangers and Risks of Gurana:
Guarana, or its active constituent caffeine, should not be taken when formulated with performance-enhancing supplements and dangerous herbs in diet aids or . Potentially fatal irregular heartbeats have been reported to occur.
Guarana has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of guarana may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Theoretically, it is possible to overdose on caffeine or guarana. The fatal dose has been estimated at 10 grams of pure caffeine / guaranine (taken at once!). Guarana seeds contain maximal 10% caffeine, so when you would swallow at least 100 grams guarana seeds at once, things start to look ugly. Our advice: don't even think about it.
To put all of this in perspective: the average cup of coffee contains 65-130 milligrams of caffeine; some very strong guarana-based syrups can contain up to 350 milligrams. Look at our caffeine chart for more info.
People with cardiac problems or a high blood pressure should avoid Guarana (and smoking or drinking coffee, for that matter) When in doubt - consult your doctor.
As with all stimulants, dependency may occur.
Check with your doctor before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter. This includes any medicines that contain caffeine.
Do not take guarana if your doctor has told you to avoid caffeine. Avoid large amounts of caffeine-containing foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, cola drinks, and chocolate.
This product has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe and effective for any medical condition. The long-term safety of herbal products is not known. Before using any alternative medicine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use this product if you are pregnant. Do not breast-feed while using this product.
Stopping guarana after regular daily use may result in WITHDRAWAL symptoms (eg, anxiety, headache, irritability).
Before using Guarana
Some medical conditions may interact with Guarana . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are planning to become pregnant
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have a history of irregular heartbeat, heart or liver problems, panic attacks, or sleeping problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Guarana . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Fluoroquinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin) because actions and side effects of Guarana , such as increased nervousness and heartbeat, may occur
Theophyllines because the actions and side effects may be increased by Guarana . Theophylline levels may need to be monitored closely. Check with your doctor.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Guarana may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
Who should not take guarana?
Guarana, or its active constituent caffeine, should not be taken when formulated with ephedrine in diet aids or performance-enhancing supplements. Potentially fatal irregular heartbeats have been reported to occur.
Talk to your doctor or health care provider before taking guarana if you have:
heart problems or high blood pressure,
kidney disease,
an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), or
an anxiety or nervous disorder.
Do NOT use Guarana if:you are allergic to any ingredient in Guarana,you are pregnant or breast-feeding,Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Guarana contains a large amount of caffeine which may be problematic if used by people with any of the conditions listed above. You may not be able to use guarana, or your doctor or health care provider may recommend a lower dose or special monitoring.
Before taking guarana, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have allergies (especially to plants), have any medical condition, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Guarana may not be recommended in some situations.
Do not take guarana without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. Guarana contains a large amount of caffeine. Do not take guarana without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Guarana contains a large amount of caffeine, which may cause restlessness, sleep disorders, and other effects in breast-feeding infants. There is no information available regarding the use of guarana by children. Guarana contains a large amount of caffeine, which may cause anemia and other problems in children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.
How should I take guarana?
The use of guarana in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
If you choose to take guarana, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Standardized formulations of herbal/health supplements may provide a more reliable dose of the product.
Guarana is usually taken as a powder, mixed with water or another beverage.
Store guarana as directed on the package. In general, guarana should be protected from light and moisture.
What should I avoid while taking guarana?
The amount of caffeine consumed in other products should be monitored while taking guarana.There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking guarana, unless otherwise directed by your health care provider.
Value: Caffeine is certainly an effective stimulant that can help increase the general state of arousal and enhance mental and physical performance. It is also widely available in common foods (coffee, tea, cola) and is relatively inexpensive. For an athlete or exerciser who needs a little boost?before athletic competition or exercise, a moderate amount of caffeine may be helpful. For individuals attempting to lose weight, however, guarana and caffeine do not appear to be especially effective as stand-alone weight loss aids, but in combination with other thermogenic and nervous system stimulants, the caffeine may extend the activity and potency of certain supplement ingredients.
Dosage: Caffeine intake of 180-450 milligrams a day (about the amount in 2-4 cups of brewed coffee or 500-1000mg of guarana extract) has been associated with mild stimulant properties and enhanced physical and mental performance. Higher levels of intake are not associated with additional increases in performance, but may result in adverse side effects such as tension, irritability and nausea.
Scientific References:
1.Guarana and Gurana Extract:Phytochemicals,Botanical Info and History....
Claims & Warning:
Claims: Information this web site presented is meant for Nutritional Benefit and as an educational starting point only, for use in maintenance and promotion good health in cooperation with a common knowledge base reference...Furthermore,it based solely on the traditional and historic use or legend of a given herb from the garden of Adonis. Although every effort has been made to ensure its accurate, please note that some info may be outdated by more recent scientific developments......
Pharmakon Warning: The order of knowledge is not the transparent order of forms and ideas,as one might be tempted retrospectively to interpret it; it is the antidote....(Dissemination,Plato's Pharmacy,II.The Ingredients:Phantasms,Festivals,and Paints;138cf. Jacques Derrida.).
And as it happens,the technique of imitation,along with the production of the simulacrum,has always been in Plato's eyes manifestly magical,thaumaturgical:......and the same things appear bent and straight to those who view them in water and out,or concave and convex,owing to similar errors of vision about colors, and there is obviously every confusion of this sort in our souls.And so scene painting (skiagraphia) in its exploitation of this weakness of four nature falls nothing short of witchcraft (thaumatopoia), and so do jugglery and many other such contrivances.(Republic X,602c-d;cf.also 607c).
What is Guarana?
Guarana is a natural herbal stimulant originating from the Brazilian Amazon basin.
It comes from the climbing vine Paullinia Cupana.
The plant fruits a red berry with white flesh and a black seed. When it ripens the berry looks like an eye and is known as the 'Eyes of the Rainforest' by the traditional guardians; the Satere Mawe Indians.
Once harvested the skin is discarded and the seed kept as the stimulant. For powder the seeds are sun-dried. For bastaos ( Guarana sticks) they are toasted
Traditionally the seeds are then pulverized. to make traditional bastaos.
Water is added and the Guarana is formed into sticks or Bastaos.
These are then baked in a smoke house.
Once baked a stick is then grated, using the tongue cartilage of the Amazon river cod (Pirarucu) , to make drinks by the indigenous Indians and local inhabitants alike.
Guarana has been used and revered for hundreds of years.
The benefits of Guarana include: · Increased stamina, energy and endurance.
· Helping with mental and physical fatigue.
· Suppressing appetite. · Helping with the effects of humidity
· Enhancing sexual performance.
· Use as a general tonic. Guarana contains 5% naturally occurring caffeine with the main active ingredient being Guaranine which has the effect of being more slow acting but longer lasting than caffeine on it's own. It is not associated with caffeine headaches, irritability, nervousness or palpitations.
Guarana has a legendary story and is now recognised as an effective supplement which can help us keep up with the demands of our modern day busy lives.
Guarana is such a versatile supplement; it can be used in so many different ways. It is always worthwhile keeping it to hand as it is useful for concentration, exercising, dancing and slimming or as a general pick-me-up tonic.
Guarana can be taken in capsule form, ready powdered for shakes and smoothies or traditionally as a stick for you to grate yourself ( a nutmeg grater is sufficient).
TO SEE ALL OUR GUARANA PRODUCTS CLICK HERE
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
سنقدم لكم اليوم نباتا قد لا يكون مشهورا كثيرا في بلادنا
لكننا نستخدمة دون ان نعرف
انه نبات الغارنا
الغارانا guarana
التصنيف العلمي
القسم : Magnoliophyta
الصنف : Magnoliopsida
الرتبة : Sapindales
العائلة : Sapindaceae
الجنس : Paullinia
النوع : P. cupana
الاسم العلمي : Paullinia cupana Kunth
من الأسماء الشائعة : كاكاو البرازيل paullinia cupana
الغارانا guarana
شجيره زاحفة أصلها غابات الامازون المطيره في فنزويلا وشمال البرازيل .
الثمرة صغيرة ،حمراء مشرقة تحتوي على بذور سوداء تشبة بندق الاصطرك .
تعطي انطباعا وهي محمولة على النبات وكأن عيونا تنظر اليك
البذور تحتوي على مادة الكافيين التي تصل فيها من 4 الى 8 ? ، وذلك يعني اكثر من وجودها في حبوب البن ، التي تحتوي على مادة الكافيين بنسبة 1 الى 2.5 ?
غنية ايضا بمواد tannins و xanthine و theophylline و theobromine.
مكوناتِ البذرة الكيميائيةِ
المادة جزء النبات جزء في المليون
رماد البذرة <14,200
كافايين أَو guaranine البذرة 9,100 - 76,000
دهن البذرة <30,000
بروتين البذرة <98,600
راتنج البذرة <70,000
نشاء البذرة 50,000 - 60,000
تانين البذرة 50,000 - 120,000
Theobromine البذرة 200 – 400
Theophylline البذرة حتى 2500
الاستخدام
غالبا تستعمل كمنشطات ولزيادة اليقظه العقليه ، ومكافحة التعب ، وزيادة قوة الاحتمال والتحمل البدني.
وهو من المشروبات الشعبية جدا في البرازيل حيث يعتبر بمثابة مقوي صحي ، وينافس الكولا .
واحدة من اغنى مصادر مادة الكافيين ، التي تحتوي على ما يصل الى ثلاثة اضعاف ماتحويه القهوه من مادة الكافيين.
بالاضافة الى خواصه المنشطه ، ايضا تستعمل الحبوب في إنقاص الوزن .
وأشارت الأبحاث الى انه يقمع الشهيه ويزيد حرق الدهون.
وقد اجريت بحوث على حيوانات المخبر وتناولت الدراسه الاثر بعد 14 يوما من اضافة الغارانا على طعام الفئران على دهون الايض ووجد ان guarana قام بحرق الدهون ويعود ذلك التأثير الى المحتوي العالي من مادة الكافيين.
فبدون مادة الكافين فالغارانا لا اثر له على دهن الأيض.
مجلة psychopharmacology وجدت في دراسه ان الغارانا guarana يحسن الذاكرة ، والمزاج واليقظه بجرعة مخفضة (37،5 ملغ ، 75 ملغ) ومع ذلك ، أشارت دراسة اخرى للاستخدام الطويل لمادة الكافيين في الــ guarana على 45 فردا متقدمين في السن. ولم تكن هناك آثار ملموسة من guarana على سلامة الادراك.
الثمار قبل وبعد النضج
محاذير
لا ينبغي ان يستخدم من قبل أشخاص عندهم حساسيه الى مادة الكافيين او xanthines.
او مع حالات أمراض القلب ، والسكري ، وارتفاع ضغط الدم ، والصرع ، أوشدة نشاط الغده الدرقيه ، والقلق ، والأرق ، وأمراض الكلى وينبغي الا تستخدم guarana كعلاج الا تحت اشراف الطبيب المعالج.
أما بالنسبة للحوامل او المرضعات وحيث ان غالبية الاطباء توصي بالحد من الكافيين اثناء فترة الحمل والرضاعة ، لذا ينبغي تجنبه لان المحتوى العالي من مادة الكافيين تختلف من منتج الى منتج ، و ليس من الممكن بالنسبة للمستهلك التقدير بدقة كمية مادة الكافيين في منتج الغارانا guarana.
كما لا ينبغي أن يؤخذ مع اي منتجات تحتوي على ephedra.
فقد تحصل أثار سلبية خطيرة .وقد يزيد من خطر السكته الدماغيه ، النزف ، احتشاء قلبي ، والموت المفاجئ ويرتبط مع زيادة في دقات القلب ، وضغط الدم ، والتي يمكن ان تكون التغيرات في مستويات الجلوكوز والبوتاسيوم ضاره .
تقرير نشر في مجلة الأعشاب pharmacotherapy وصف حالة وجود شذوذ في ضربات القلب يسمى سابقا انكماش بطيني مرتبطه مع جرعات كبيرة من الـ guarana.
الاعراض الاولية للجرعة الزائدة من الـ guarana
صعوبة التبول ، والتقيؤ ، وتشنجات البطن .ويجب التماس العنايه الطبية فورا.
الاشكال الشائعه
مشروبات غازية
حبوب
مسحوق
الغارانا Guarana يمكن العثور عليها في شكل مسحوق او حبوب.
وهو مكون من مكونات مشروبات الطاقة ، sodas ، وغيرها من المشروبات.
التفاعل مع العقاقير
وجد انه قد يخفض تجمع الصفيحات thromboxane ، حتى انه قد يزيد من خطر النزيف عندما يؤخذ مع الاسبرين ، anticoagulants مثل الورفرين (coumadin ®) ، و مثبطات الصفيحات مثل ticlopidine (ticlid ®) ، clopidogrel (plavix ®) .
الـ Guarana لا ينبغي ان يقترن مع المثبطات ، وقد تسبب الصداع.
المصادر
ويكيبديا الانكليزية
Baghkhani l m وjafari "امراض القلب والاوعيه الدمويه وردود الفعل السلبيه المرتبطه بالـ guarana
المجلة العشبيه pharmacotherapy. 2،1 (2002) :57 - 61.
البرازيلي اليوميه للبحوث الطبية والبيولوجية. 21،3 (1988) :535 - 8.
ساو باولو المجله الطبية. 114،1 (1996) :1073 - 8.
مجلة psychopharmacology. 13 مار 2006.
علوم السميات. 83،2 (2005) :388 - 96.
المتعلقة بعضلة القلب والوفاه المفاجئه للفئران المعرضة الى مزيج من مادة الكافيين والايفيدرين".
رابط ملف للنبات
Gurana
Technical Data Sheet
Click to Download COAs
. .COA-Guarana Extract.Guaranine.20%Guarana seed.Concentrated Guarana Extract.
Material Safety Sata Sheet
Click to Download MSDS
. .MSDS-Guarana Extract.Guaranine.
Composition&Application:
Common Use: Guarana is a caffiene rich beverage from South America. In Brazil it is made into a popular cola drink known as Brazilian Cocoa which is used for energy and stimulation. Also used as a systemic cleanser, nervine tonic, anti-fatigue stimulant and is known to reduce hunger, relieve headaches including migraines, help alleviate PMS symptoms and has a reputation as an aphrodisiac. 10 to 30 drops to 3 times daily or as needed. This herb contains caffeine and should not be overused. Not recommended if pregnant or nursing.
Guarana is the South American way to promote long-endurance energy. Harvested from the Amazon rain forests, this herb is also used to support mental alertness and fight fatigue. It is widely used in soft drinks throughout Brazil. Guarana is useful to improve athletic performance, fight fatigue, and support weight loss. Guarana's nutritional virtues are fast making it a household name here in North America as well.
Guarana and Gurana Extract:Phytochemicals,Botanical Info and History....
seminal trace...Guarana Extract,guarana seed extract,Guaranine.20%.Brazilian Cocoa extract,5:1.Concentrated Guarana Extract Maxman II.fat burning....
Basic Botanical info of Guarana:
Brazilian Guarana fruit (Paullinia cupana)
Guarana (Paullinia cupana)
Official Latin Name: Paullinia cupana
Common Names: Guarana, guarana kletterstrauch, guaranastruik, quarana, quarane, cupana, Brazilian cocoa, uabano, uaranzeiro
The botanical name of Guaran Paullinia cupana H.B.K. variety sorbilis (Mart.) Ducke, is derived from C. F. Paullini, a German medical botanist who lived in the 18th century.
Part Used: Seed, fruit
What is guarana?
The use of guarana in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
Guarana is also known as Paullinia cupana, paullinia, Brazilian cocoa, guarana bread, guarana paste or gum, and zoom. Guarana is also present in some soft drinks imported from South America in a manner similar to American soft-drinks fortified with caffeine.
Guarana contains very high concentrations of caffeine and has been used as a stimulant and appetite suppressant.
Guarana has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of guarana may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Guarana may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.
Guarana has been cultivated by South American Indians since pre-Columbian times. Guarana contains guaranine, which is chemically very similar to caffeine. Guaranine is released slowly, over as much as 6 hours time, so the energy boost that is experienced from Guarana is not like that of coffee with its sudden rush and quick drop-off. Rather, it continues to escalate over hours. Whereas caffeine provides a short- lived energy burst that overheats and excites the body, guaranine has a cooling action that revitalizes and relaxes. This is because Guarana contains other components that modify the activity of the guaranine.
Guarana has a similar chemical composition as coffee and may be helpful for increasing energy, endurance, headache, excess mental work, heat exhaustion, and weight loss due to its appetite suppressing qualities, and should be used cautiously be people suffering from cardiovascular disease. We extract with the appropriate solvents, high alcohol if necessary; then concentrate by vacuum distillation.
Guarana is an evergreen vine found growing in the wild basins of the Amazon rain forests. The indigenous people of the Amazon rain forest have used crushed guarana seed as a beverage and a medicine. Guaran¨¢ was used to treat diarrhea, decrease fatigue, reduce hunger, and to help arthritis.
Basic Botanical info of Guarana:
Phytochemicals and constituents of Guarana:
Plantation and Habitat:
Facts,Properties,Available forms:
Uses Guarana:
Theory and Scientific Support of Guarana:
History of Use with Natives: Guarana
Guarana Brief Summary:
Research Update:Paullinia cupana or Guarana
Phytochemicals and constituents of Guarana:
Chemical composition of Guarana seeds:
Vegetable fiber: 49.125 %
Reddish resin: 8.800 %
Starch: 8.350 %
Water: 7.650 %
Pectin, malic acid, mucilage, dextrin, salts: 7.470 %
Guarana-tannic acid: 5.902 %
Caffeine: 5.388 %
Yellowish steady oil: 2.950 %
Pyro-guarana acid: 2.750 %
Reddish colorant: 1.520 %
Amorphous substances: 0.606 %
Saponin: 0.060 %
Guarana's active components are guaranine and the alkaloids theobromine and theophylline. Guaranine is almost identical in chemical structure to caffeine and has many of the same effects. Guarana also contains tannins, which may account for its traditional use to treat diarrhea.
The first chemical examination of guarana seeds was performed by the German botanist Theodore von Martius in the 1700s. He isolated a bitter, white crystalline substance with a remarkable physiological action. Von Martius named this substance guaranine, and it was later renamed caffeine. Many today still believe guaranine to be a unique phytochemical in guarana . It is, however (according to chemists), caffeine. As one group of researchers put it, guaranine is a product of crude laboratory processes and "should be considered non-existent, being in reality impure caffeine." Guaranine is probably just caffeine bound to a tannin or phenol. In living plants, xanthines (such as caffeine) are bound to sugars, phenols, and tannins, and are set free or unbound during the roasting process. Guarana seeds contain up to 4-8% caffeine (25,000 to 75,000 ppm), as well as trace amounts of theophylline (500 to 750 ppm) and theobromine (300 to 500 ppm). They also contain large quantities of alkaloids, terpenes, tannins, flavonoids, starch, saponins, and resinous substances.
The xanthine alkaloids (caffeine, theophylline, theobromine) are believed to contribute significantly to guarana's therapeutic activity. In clinical studies, theophylline stimulates the heart and central nervous system, enhances alertness and alleviates fatigue. It also has strong diuretic activity and reduces constriction of the bronchials, making it useful in asthma. Theobromine has similar effects. Certainly many traditional uses of guaran¨¢ may be explained by its caffeine content. Among its many documented effects, caffeine has been shown to facilitate fat loss and reduce fatigue.
The main chemicals found in guarana are: adenine, allantoin, alpha-copaene, anethole, caffeine, carvacrol, caryophyllene, catechins, catechutannic acid, choline, dimethylbenzene, dimethylpropylphenol, estragole, glucose, guanine, hypoxanthine, limonene, mucilage, nicotinic acid, proanthocyanidins, protein, resin, salicylic acid, starch, sucrose, tannic acid, tannins, theobromine, theophylline, timbonine, and xanthine.
Plantation and Habitat:
Guarana plant is a woody vine that climb the trees, reaching 10 metres in height. Thus, when cultivated in the open, it adopts a shrubby habit, growing to a maximum 2 to 3 metres in height.
It's cultivation dates to pre-columbian times. The indians, the first inhabitants of the Amazon, domesticated the guaran¨¢ plant. Botanists actually believe that the current plants, even those found in dense forests, are the remains of indigenous cultivation in the past. Guarana was, amongst others, grown by the Mau and Andira tribes from the 'lower Amazon'.
The guarana plant has divided compound leaves and flowers yellow panicles during the driest months of the year, the fruit ripening about two to three months later. The fruit is pear shaped, three sided, has three-celled capsules with thin partitions and in each a seed like a small horse-chestnut half enclosed in an aril. The seeds form a bunch. When ripe, the fruit is red, with some orange and yellow tones. The fruit then partially opens, showing part of the seeds. The fruit now looks like an eye and this appearance lead to legends told by the indians. At this stage the seeds are harvested, to prevent them from falling on the ground.
Harvesting is done by hand, after that the seeds should be stored in a heap in a shelter for two or three days to allow a slight fermentation. Following this, the shells are removed either by hand or machine and then left to dry in open air or dried artificially. Commercial guarana is produced only from the seeds: all other parts of the fruit are discarded.
Further processing consists of roasting, after the seeds are sieved to be able to roast the seeds more uniformly. Roasting is done preferably in clay ovens for about four to five hours, until the seed reaches about 9% humidity. We have now roasted guarana grain, also known as guarana em rama.
Guarana comes from the seeds of a South American shrub ¨C most of which originates in Brazil. Traditional uses of guarana by natives of the Amazonian rain forest include crushed seeds added to foods and beverages to increase alertness and reduce fatigue. As a dietary supplement, it is no wonder that guarana is an effective energy booster ¨C as it contains about twice the caffeine found in coffee beans (about 3-4% caffeine in guarana seeds compared to 1-2% for coffee beans). Concentrated guarana extracts, however, can contain caffeine at levels of as much as 40-50%, with popular supplements delivering 50-200mg of caffeine per day (about the same amount found in 1-2 cups of strong coffee). As with any caffeine-containing substance, too much can lead to nervousness, tension and headaches.
Guarana is also known by the names Brazilian Cocoa, Uabano, and Uaranazeiro.
Guarana is a climbing shrub native to South America. The indigenous people of the Amazon rain forest used crushed Guarana seed both as a beverage and a medicine.
Besides its refreshing and nutritive value, Guarana was said to treat diarrhea, decrease fatigue, reduce hunger, and help arthritis. It also has a history of use in treating hangovers from alcohol abuse and headaches related to menstruation.
The plant was introduced into Europe by a physician who was from Brazil. It came to be employed in the treatment of migraine and nervous headaches, neuralgia, paralysis, urinary tract irritation, and other ailments, as well as continuing to be administered for chronic diarrhea. A beverage is made from Guarana sticks, by grating half a tablespoonful into sugar & water, and drinking it like tea. Brazilian miners drink this constantly, and believe it to be a preventive of many diseases, as well as a most refreshing beverage. 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 body temperature, or excite the heart or increase arterial tension. Primary chemical constituents of this herb include caffeine, theophylline, theobromine, guaranine, tannins, and saponins. Guaranine (which is nearly identical to caffeine) and the closely related alkaloids theobromine and theophylline make up the primary active agents in Guarana. Caffeine's effects (and hence those of guaranine) are well known, and include stimulating the central nervous system, increasing metabolic rate, and having a mild diuretic effect. Though Guarana contains caffeine, it is more slowly absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract and thus has a longer-lasting effect than coffee. The tannins, which are astringent, help to curb diarrhea. Guarana has also shown some ability to inhibit blood platelet aggregation, and the herb is considered a nervous system stimulant.
Facts,Properties,Available forms:
Guarana contains a high amount of guaranine, a chemical substance with the same characteristics as caffeine. This makes Guarana a stimulant similar to coffee, which means that it:
1.quickens perceptions
2.delays sleep
3.helps with endurance based activities
4.can help to recover from a hangover
5.impairs the appetite
6.will lead to more frequent visits to the toilet
7.causes a higher blood pressure and an increased heart rate
8.can make you feel jittery and may prevent sleep at all.
Guarana is usually available in four forms: Guarana em rama, roasted guarana Simply the roasted seed, as sold by the amazon farmers to cooperative unions, middlemen and industry.
Guarana on a stick: After roasting, the seed is ground into a powder, mixed with water into a dough, which is subsequently moulded onto a stick. These sticks are then dried over a moderate fire until they become hard.
Guarana powder: After grinding, the powder is sold. This is usually the form it is available in retail outlets, like health shops. A fourth form, syrup, used for making soft drinks, is also gaining ground. This form is usually limited to larger industries.
Properties: Guaran consists of 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.
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 high blood pressure.
Uses Guarana:
Sticks were initially used by Indians, who grated the stick using the sharp, rasp like, tongue of the Pirarucu fish. The grated powder was then mixed into a drink with water and sugar.
The sticks are also used by the Satar Maw tribe and its descendants who use it to make moulded figures, which are a popular item with tourists.
The powder is widely available and can be mixed with water or fruit juice and some sugar in the same way.
In Europe, guarana was first marketed as an alternative, medicinal plant from the Amazon, beneficial to the overall health and the powder for was (and still is) sold in health shops.
Some retailers promote it as an afrodisiac, however, there is not much evidence for this at the moment.
More recently, guarana has been discovered as an alternative smart drug in the house/rave scene and some (expensive) drinks have come on the market. These drinks bear, as far as I have experienced, no resemblance with the Brazilian style softdrink. Some see guarana as mind expanding, but the only effect it has is similar to that of caffeine. A strong cup of coffee would probably provide more caffeine at a lower price.
Guarana chewing gum is available, sometimes referred to as "Buzz Gum", adverstised as giving you extra energy.
Even guarana cigarettes were seen, with a logo that resembles a hemp plant on the packet. This is a very strange use of guarana and it is doubtful that it will have either the suggested 'mind altering' effect or be much beneficial to ones health. If someone does know more about this, please let me know.
The syrup is used for the manufacture of carbonated soft drinks, which are very popular in Brazil. It is usually one of the things Brazilians miss when they are abroad.
This variety is what inspired these pages, so they might be slightly biased to the soft drinks.
Tribal and Herbal Medicine Uses:
The uses of this plant by the Amerindians predates the discovery of Brazil. South American Indian tribes (especially the Guaranis, from whence the plant's name is derived) dry and roast the seeds and mix them into a paste with water. They then use it much the same way as chocolate - to prepare various foods, drinks, and medicines. The rainforest tribes have used guarana mainly as a stimulant and as an astringent (drying agent) for treating chronic diarrhea. It is often taken during periods of fasting to tolerate dietary restrictions better. Botanist James Duke cites past and present tribal uses in the rainforest: as a preventive for arteriosclerosis; as an effective cardiovascular drug; as an pain-reliever, astringent, stimulant, and tonic used to treat diarrhea, hypertension, fever, migraine, neuralgia, and dysentery.
Over centuries the many benefits of guarana have been passed on to explorers and settlers. European researchers began studying guarana (in France and Germany) in the 1940s, finding that Indians' uses to cure fevers, headaches, cramps, and as an energy tonic were well-founded. Guarana is used and well known for its stimulant and thermogenic action. In the United States today, guaran¨¢ is reputed to increase mental alertness, fight fatigue, and increase stamina and physical endurance. Presently, guaran¨¢ is taken daily as a health tonic by millions of Brazilians, who believe it helps overcome heat fatigue, combats premature aging, detoxifies the blood, and is useful for intestinal gas, obesity, dyspepsia, fatigue, and arteriosclerosis. The plant, considered an adaptogen, is also used for heart problems, fever, headaches, migraine, neuralgia, and diarrhea. Guarana has been used in body care products for its tonifying and astringent properties, and to reduce cellulite. Guarana also has been used as an ingredient in shampoos for oily hair and as a ingredient in hair-loss products. In Peru the seed is used widely for neuralgia, diarrhea, dysentery, fatigue, obesity, cellulite, heart problems, hypertension, migraine, and rheumatism.
Today the plant is known and used worldwide (and is the main ingredient in the "national beverage" of Brazil: Guarana Soda!). Eighty percent of the world's commercial production of guaran¨¢ paste is in the middle of the Amazon rainforest in northern Brazil-still performed by the Guarani Indians, who wild-harvest the seeds and process them into paste by hand. The Brazilian government has become aware of the importance of the local production of guaran¨¢ by traditional methods employed by indigenous inhabitants of the rainforest. Since 1980, FUNAI (the National Indian Foundation) has set up a number of projects to improve the local production of guaran¨¢. Now, under the direction of the FUNAI regional authority in Manaus, many cooperatives in the rainforest support indigenous tribal economies through the harvesting and production of guarana.
Main Actions (in order): stimulant, antioxidant, memory enhancer, nervine (balances/calms nerves), cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart)
Main Uses and brief Claims:
Promotes weight loss
Suppresses appetite
as a caffeine stimulant for energy
as a weight loss aid (suppresses appetite and increases fat-burning)
for headaches and migraines
to tone, balance, and strengthen the heart, as a blood cleanser, and to reduce/prevent sticky blood and blood clots
as a refrigerant (lowers body temperature) to prevent overheating and heat stroke
Increases energy levels / Reduces fatigue
Enhances physical and mental performance
Properties/Actions Documented by Research: analgesic (pain-reliever), antibacterial, antioxidant, hyperglycemic, memory enhancer, nervine (balances/calms nerves), neurasthenic (reduces nerve pain), platelet aggregation inhibitor (to prevent clogged arteries), stimulant, vasodilator
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use: anticoagulant (blood thinner), antiseptic, aphrodisiac, appetite suppressant, astringent, blood cleanser, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart), carminative (expels gas), central nervous system stimulant, digestive stimulant, diuretic, hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), laxative, menstrual stimulant, thermogenic (increases fat-burning)
Worldwide Ethnomedical Uses:
Amazonia: for arteriosclerosis, blood cleansing, cramps, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, fasting, fatigue, fever, headache, heart support, intestinal gas, malaria, obesity, and as a stimulant, aphrodisiac, and astringent
Brazil: for constipation, convalescence, central nervous system stimulation, depression, diarrhea, digestive problems, dysentery, exhaustion, fasting, fatigue, fever, gastrointestinal problems, headache, heart support, heat stress, intellect, intestinal gas, jet lag, lumbago, malaria, memory enhancement, menstrual problems, migraine, nervous asthenia, nervousness, neuralgia, rheumatism, skin disorders, stress, water retention. weakness, and as an adaptogen, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, appetite suppressant, and stimulant
Canada: for fever, libido enhancement, nervous disorders, and as a stimulant and tonic
Europe: for depression, diarrhea, exhaustion, fatigue, heart support, headache, migraine, nervous disorders, neuralgia, vaginal discharge, water retention, and as a stimulant and tonic
Latin America: for diarrhea, fatigue, hangovers, headaches and as a stimulant
Mexico: for diarrhea and as a stimulant
Peru: for cellulite, convalescence, diarrhea, dysentery, fatigue, fever, heart support, hypertension, migraine, nerve support, neuralgia, obesity, paralysis, rheumatism, and as an aphrodisiac, astringent, stimulant, tonic
South America: for arteriosclerosis, bowel problems, diarrhea, fever, heart support, nerve support, pain, and as an aphrodisiac, stimulant, tonic
U.S.: for appetite suppression, athletic enhancement, concentration, diarrhea, endurance, exhaustion, fatigue, headaches, mental depression or irritation, migraine, nerve support, obesity, PMS, vaginal discharge, water retention, and as an aphrodisiac, stimulant, tonic
Elsewhere: for convalescence, diarrhea, debility, dysentery, headache, lumbago, migraine, nerves, neuralgia, pain, rheumatism, water retention, and as an aphrodisiac, astringent, stimulant, tonic
Theory and Scientific Support of Guarana:
The theory behind how guarana works is relatively straightforward. The major active constituent is caffeine (sometimes called guaranine to make you think it is different in some way) and similar alkaloids such as theobromine and theophylline (which are also found in coffee and tea). Each of these compounds has well-known effects as nervous system stimulants. As such, they may also have some effect on increasing metabolic rate, suppressing appetite and enhancing both physical and mental performance.
Scientific Support:
The seeds of guarana are known to be rich in xanthines (caffeine) and have been widely used as a tonic in many South American countries particularly Brazil. In studies which have determined the total xanthine content of guarana powder, caffeine content typically averages 30-50% caffeine (depending on the extract). Related compounds such as theobromine and theophylline are found at levels of 1-3% and, like caffeine, can be detected in the urine for up to 9 days following guarana intake. Most of the scientific evidence on caffeine as a general stimulant and an aid to exercise performance shows convincingly that caffeine is effective. Consuming 3 to 6 mg of caffeine per kilogram (2.2 lbs) of body weight (about 350mg for an average sized man or 250mg for a woman) approximately 1 hour before exercise improves endurance performance without raising urinary caffeine levels above the International Olympic Committee (IOC) doping threshold. To reach that level, you?¯d need to take in about 800 mg of caffeine, which is about the amount found in 8 cups of coffee or 18 cans of Coke. As a weight loss aid, however, although caffeine may suppress appetite somewhat at high levels, on its own it does not seem to be a very effective supplement for increasing calorie expenditure (thermogenesis). When combined with other stimulant-type supplements however, it appears that caffeine can extend the duration of action in suppressing appetite and increasing caloric expenditure.
Safety The toxicity of guarana has been assessed in cellular and animal studies. In most cases, there is no significant danger, aside from the side effects of high caffeine intake, associated with guarana consumption. At least one study, however, found water extracts of guarana to cause genetic damage in cell cultures ¨C although it is unclear whether this suggests any health risk for humans consuming guarana extract as a dietary supplement. As with any caffeine-containing food, guarana extracts can lead to insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, headaches, high blood pressure and heart palpitations. Guarana is not recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating.
Value Caffeine is certainly an effective stimulant that can help increase the general state of arousal and enhance mental and physical performance. It is also widely available in common foods (coffee, tea, cola) and is relatively inexpensive. For an athlete or exerciser who needs a little ?°boost?± before athletic competition or exercise, a moderate amount of caffeine may be helpful. For individuals attempting to lose weight, however, guarana and caffeine do not appear to be especially effective as stand-alone weight loss aids, but in combination with other thermogenic and nervous system stimulants, the caffeine may extend the activity and potency of certain supplement ingredients.
Guarana Experiment:
Guarana is one of the best known and early documented medicinal plants from the Brazilian rain forest. The proper name is Paullinia cupana, or as the Maues-Sateres natives called it "secret eyes". The plant gets its name from its appearance in the rainforest: the fruit from the shrub hangs in great red bunches, much like red grapes. The red pods split to reveal a brown chestnut colored seed with a round white middle. As you walk in the forest it is like a million eyes starring at you.
Energy, Well Being, Weight Loss:
Advocating a healthy life style of diet, the typical doses were two 500 mg capsules three times per day for one week then reduced to twice a day for three months. scientists highlighted several case studies indicating that his patients found the addition of guarana to increase their energy level and often resulted in weight loss. Several patients were caffeine abusers and were often irritable, aggressive and had difficulty sleeping and concentrating. By reducing caffeine intake and prescribing guarana, symptoms of agitation and insomnia disappeared in weeks.
Several additional studies illustrate the potential of this plant. Two studies were carried out by Dr. Netterstrom a researcher at the State Hospital of Copenhagen. Netterstrom chose guarana due to its reputation for promoting energy and counteracting stress. Netterstrom connducted a double blind study covering an eight week period and established that guarana did have a positive effect on subjects "feelings" of being more energetic. The test also showed a slight but measureable weight loss in some and a drop of fibrinogen content of the blood. (Raised fibrinogen levels are associated with stress and considered to be a specific factor for heart disease. The links between heart disease and stress are well documented.) A year later Netterstrom repeated the study and extended the duration to three months. Again, 6 out of 8 subjects reported a higher energy level, for 5/8 there were decreases in fibrinogen levels and 4/8 showed an increase in HDL (good cholesterol). No long term negative effects were observed. While this experiment does not prove that guarana reduces stress or generates energy, the participants in both studies perceived an energy boost and the findings of a significant drop in fibrinogen levels (which are known to rise under periods of stress) do support the claims made for the plant by the rainforest Indians.
In an elegant small study, Reading Scientific Services Limited examined the effects of guarana on mood and performance. The RSSL has developed a series of computerized tasks which allow measurement of the speed and accuracy of subjects performance on a series of tasks. Before the programme the subject"s undertake the computerized tests yielding base-line performance information. This test was of particular importance as it compared the effects of two levels of caffeine to guarana and a placebo. The participants were given the high dose caffeine, the low dose caffeine, the guarana, or the placebo capsule on each of four test days. The study was conducted blind (the participants were not told the identity of the samples given. Before they were given the capsules, base line measurements were taken each day. Each participant was given two capsules and monitored over 4 hours.
The results were as follows:
Doses of guarana resulted in the fastest reaction times
Doses of guarana improved the speed of hand eye coordination
Doses of guarana slightly improved accuracy of hand eye coordination
High doses of caffeine had an adverse impact on speed and accuracy of hand-eye coordination
Guarana had a positive effect on the alertness of the participant, significantly higher than the high caffeine dose.
Guarana had a positive effect on the feeling of friendliness vs antagonistic, sociable and outgoing in comparison to the other three capsules.
RSSL conclusions were that guarana had a strong and consistently positive effect on reported mood and some positive effects on performance. Caffeine at low dose had some positive effects, but at high dose had some negative effects on both mood and performance.
In the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, (1997) Espinola et al published a study which showed increased physical activity in rats, increased physical endurance under stress and increased memory with single doses and multiple doses of guarana extract. The researchers also found that whole guarana seed extract performed better and more effectively than did a comparable dose of ginseng extract or caffeine.
Weight Loss:
Guarana contains a substance similar to caffeine called guaranine. Guaranine stimulates the central nervous system, increases metabolism, and has a mild diuretic effect. It has been suggested that in combination with ephedra or ephedrine, guarana (guaranine) may be effective in helping to promote weight loss. This effect is probably due to an appetite suppressing mechanism, an increase in calorie burning, or both.
In a June 2001 issue f Journal of Human Nutrition Diet, guarana extract induced weight loss over 45 days in over weight patients taking a mixed herbal preparation containing yerba mate, guarana, and damiana. Body weight reductions were 11.22 pounds in the guarana group compared to less than one pound in the placebo group after 45 days. There are several patents comprising weight loss formulas containing guarana and/or guarana extracts (US Patent #5,945.107).
Heart Health: There is also a recent patent by Ravi M.T. Subbiah of University of Cincinnati (US patent # 4,861,594) which found that guarana was again good for "blood health" as it reduced the aggregation of platelets that can lead to blood clot formation and therefore heart attacks and strokes. In 1991 at the American College of Cardiology meeting, a paper was presented suggesting that taking an aspirin a day produced a 25% reduction in heart attacks, strokes and death in patients that were already suffering from slightly high blood pressure, raised cholesterol levels or with a family history of blood clotting disorders or heart disease. Guarana maybe just as effective and lack the side effects (stomach upset, etc. ) of aspirin. Prevention is better than cure!
Reduce shadows: Brazilian Guarana Extract contains a high level of caffeine, which immediately helps eliminate dark circles under eyes.
Mental alertness:
Guarana Extract increases mental alertness and combats fatigue and is a very high source of energy. Guarana is a source of naturally occurring caffeine. Although it contains a higher percentage of caffeine than coffee, it has other beneficial components that tent to cause its stimulating effects to be more gentle that coffee and other sources of caffeine.
The Sunday Times (12 April 1987) reported that Brazilians are so convinced of the power (energy boost) of guarana that an estimated 2 million cups of guarana tea a day are consumed.
There is some confusion over the chemistry of the compounds which produce this energy, positive feeling. Guarana does contain some caffeine and depending on the source and manufacturing can contain theobromine and theophylline. Guarana is similar to chocolate in that respect. However, the caffeine content alone cannot explain the health benefits associated with guarana. For example, a typical cup of tea has 2X the amount of caffeine and a typical cup of cappacio has 5X the amount of caffeine as a typical 1 gram dose of guarana (1993 International Journal of Pharmacognosy, Houghton, PJ, Bempong and Steadman). Van Straten belives that it is the combination of the caffeine, theobromine, theophylline nicotinic acid and other compounds that make this seed effective.
History of Use with Natives: Guarana
First discovered by the Maues-Sateres Indians guarana has been used as a useful food and stimulant for thousands of years. The first written record of guarana and its potential health properties was by a missionary named Bettendorf, who wrote that guarana was used by the Indians to help them cope with the extreme heat, carry them through long journeys, to suppress the appetite and to relieve headaches, cramps and fever. The Indians say that Guarana prevents and combats fatigue, stimulates brain function, aids concentration, relieves headache and menstrual pain, helps the body rid of excess water, combats the discomfort of extreme heat, speeds recovery after illness and reduces appetite.
In 1893, Everybody"s Pocket Encyclopedia published by Saxon and Co. wrote this note:
Megrim or sick headache.- There are several varieties of megrim, the best forms being hemicrania, blind headache, and bilious headache. One of the best remedies for this complaint is Guarana or Brazilian cocoa. which should be taken in five grain doses, three times per day.
In 1931 a book called The Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve and Mrs. C. F. Leyel- describes Guarana as a "nervine, tonic, stimulant, aphrodisiac and debrifuge....The tannin it contains is useful for mild forms of diarrhea and its chief use in Europe and America is for headache...It is a gentle excitement and serviceable where the brain is irritated or depressed by mental exertion, or where there is fatigue or exhaustion from hot weather...Its benefit is for nervous headache or the distress that accompanies menstruation exhaustion following dissipation...It is used by the Indians for bowel complaints.
Guarana and how it is Understood by Scientific Research Today:
There is a growing body of modern scientific research that supports the efficacy of guarana as a phytochemicals /medicinal plant. Michael van Straten is a leading practitioner of complementary medicine. In the 1980s, he began treating patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Many of his patients were referred to him after typical testing for anemia, thyroid problems, leukemia, etc, had been ruled out.
This plant has been in regular use by millions of people for thousands of years and so far there is no evidence of adverse effects.
Guarana Brief Summary:
Guarana is an herbal stimulant that contains a form of caffeine called guaranine, which is 2.5 times stronger than the caffeine found in coffee, tea and soft drinks. What makes guaranine unique from caffeine found in beverages is its slower release. That's because the guarana seed is fatty (even in powder form) and is not readily water-soluble. Therefore the body does not quickly absorb it.
Since the guaranine is released slowly, the energy boost that is experienced from guarana is not like that of coffee with its sudden rush and quick drop-off. Rather, it continues to escalate over hours.
While caffeine from beverages provides a short-lived energy burst that overheats and excites the body, guaranine has a cooling action that revitalizes and relaxes. This is because guarana contains other components that modify the activity of this substance. The end result is more beneficial to the body than tea or coffee.
Guarana accelerates the effectiveness of CLA, thus making CLA a more potent fat burner. Guarana has been shown to stimulate the migration of lipids so fat can be burned as energy. It is also an appetite suppressant.
Guarana aids in a temporary, natural increase in body temperature and metabolic thermogenesis through nutritional stimulation of the body's receptor pathway, which can induce the breakdown and release of stored body fat, thereby allowing stored fats to be turned into energy.
Thermogenesis refers to the body's production of heat, a normal part of metabolic processes. Thermogenesis can be enhanced by certain nutritional substances. When stimulated through appropriate dietary supplementation, thermogenesis is also a mechanism that increases metabolic rate. Stored body fat, if released and available for use, can provide the fuel for this increased metabolic rate. Other active constituents of guarana are theobromine and theophylline, which are called xanthines (a class of thermogenic substances found in coffee, tea and certain beans). They have some effect on increasing metabolic rate, suppressing appetite and enhancing both physical and mental performance. They also act as muscle relaxants and possess diuretic properties.
Guarana increases mental alertness, fights fatigue, and increases stamina and physical endurance. Native to Brazil, guarana is taken daily as a health tonic by millions of Brazilians. It is reported to help overcome heat fatigue, detoxify the blood and is useful for flatulence and obesity. In body care products, it has been used for its tonifying and astringent properties, and in the treatment of cellulite.
In the United States, guarana holds a GRAS-status (Generally Regarded As Safe). In 1989 a patent was filed on a guarana seed extract that was capable of inhibiting platelet aggregation in mammals. The patent described guarana's ability to prevent the formation of blood clots and to help in the breakdown of clots that had already been formed. Clinical evidence was presented in conjunction with the patent in 1989 and again in 1991 by a Brazilian research group demonstrating these antiaggregation properties. Guarana has a long history of use as an energy tonic and for mental acuity enhancement.
In a study published in the June 2001 issue of the Journal of Human Nutrition Diet, guarana extract induced weight loss over 45 days in overweight patients taking a mixed herbal preparation containing yerbe mate, guarana and damiana. Body weight reductions were 11.22 pounds in the guarana group compared to less than one pound in the placebo group after 45 days.
Guarana extract and fractions decreased platelet aggregation up to 37% of control values and platelet thromboxane formation from arachidonic acid up to 78% of control values. When platelets hyperaggregate and/or when excess thromboxane formation occurs, an arterial blood clot can develop, resulting in a heart attack or ischemic stroke.
In a 1997 study, guarana increased physical activity of rats, increased physical endurance under stress and increased memory, with single doses as well as with chronic doses. Interestingly enough, the study revealed that a whole guarana seed extract performed better and more effectively than did a comparable dosage of caffeine or ginseng extract.
Another Brazilian research group has been studying guarana's apparent effect of increasing memory. Its antibacterial properties against E. coli and Salmonella have been documented as well.
A 1998 toxicology study with animals have shown that guarana is nontoxic at even high dosages of up to 2 grams per kilogram of body weight. This same study demonstrated guarana's antioxidant properties saying, "Guarana showed an antioxidant effect because, even at low concentrations (1.2 microg/ml), it inhibited the process of lipid peroxidation."
A major advantage to taking guarana in an oil base capsule is its relatively slow release into the body. In a study published in the journal Pharmacology Biochemical Behavior, a comparison was made of the absorption of caffeine from coffee, cola or capsules. Based on saliva caffeine concentrations, the absorption from capsules was about 40% slower than that of coffee or colas. These capsules were not oil-based, yet the rate of caffeine absorption was still significantly slower than coffee or cola.
Safety and Toxicity: The toxicity of guarana has been assessed in cellular and animal studies. In most cases, there is no significant danger, aside from the side effects of high caffeine intake, associated with guarana consumption. At least one study, however, found water extracts of guarana to cause genetic damage in cell cultures although it is unclear whether this suggests any health risk for humans consuming guarana extract as a dietary supplement. As with any caffeine-containing food, guarana extracts can lead to insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, headaches, high blood pressure and heart palpitations. Guarana is not recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating.
Possible Side Effects:Guaranine, a chemical compound found in gurana, produces many of the same effects as caffeine. Individuals with conditions that may be complicated by high caffeine intake (including insomnia, depression, and pregnancy) should consult with a physician before adding guarana to their diet.
Although rare, serious side effects from guarana have been reported. Stop taking guarana and seek emergency medical attention if you experience :a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives; or irregular heartbeats or chest pain.
Other less serious side effects may also reported with the use of guarana. Talk to your doctor or health care provider if you experience:heartburn;upset stomach;loss of appetite;constipation or diarrhea;nervousness, irritability, or anxiety;sleeplessness;irregular heartbeats; or headache.
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome: Anxiety; diarrhea; headache; increased urination; nausea; nervousness; shakiness; tremors; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur: Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; irregular heartbeat; seizures.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Dangers and Risks of Gurana:
Guarana, or its active constituent caffeine, should not be taken when formulated with performance-enhancing supplements and dangerous herbs in diet aids or . Potentially fatal irregular heartbeats have been reported to occur.
Guarana has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of guarana may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Theoretically, it is possible to overdose on caffeine or guarana. The fatal dose has been estimated at 10 grams of pure caffeine / guaranine (taken at once!). Guarana seeds contain maximal 10% caffeine, so when you would swallow at least 100 grams guarana seeds at once, things start to look ugly. Our advice: don't even think about it.
To put all of this in perspective: the average cup of coffee contains 65-130 milligrams of caffeine; some very strong guarana-based syrups can contain up to 350 milligrams. Look at our caffeine chart for more info.
People with cardiac problems or a high blood pressure should avoid Guarana (and smoking or drinking coffee, for that matter) When in doubt - consult your doctor.
As with all stimulants, dependency may occur.
Check with your doctor before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter. This includes any medicines that contain caffeine.
Do not take guarana if your doctor has told you to avoid caffeine. Avoid large amounts of caffeine-containing foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, cola drinks, and chocolate.
This product has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe and effective for any medical condition. The long-term safety of herbal products is not known. Before using any alternative medicine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use this product if you are pregnant. Do not breast-feed while using this product.
Stopping guarana after regular daily use may result in WITHDRAWAL symptoms (eg, anxiety, headache, irritability).
Before using Guarana
Some medical conditions may interact with Guarana . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are planning to become pregnant
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have a history of irregular heartbeat, heart or liver problems, panic attacks, or sleeping problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Guarana . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Fluoroquinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin) because actions and side effects of Guarana , such as increased nervousness and heartbeat, may occur
Theophyllines because the actions and side effects may be increased by Guarana . Theophylline levels may need to be monitored closely. Check with your doctor.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Guarana may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
Who should not take guarana?
Guarana, or its active constituent caffeine, should not be taken when formulated with ephedrine in diet aids or performance-enhancing supplements. Potentially fatal irregular heartbeats have been reported to occur.
Talk to your doctor or health care provider before taking guarana if you have:
heart problems or high blood pressure,
kidney disease,
an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), or
an anxiety or nervous disorder.
Do NOT use Guarana if:you are allergic to any ingredient in Guarana,you are pregnant or breast-feeding,Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Guarana contains a large amount of caffeine which may be problematic if used by people with any of the conditions listed above. You may not be able to use guarana, or your doctor or health care provider may recommend a lower dose or special monitoring.
Before taking guarana, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have allergies (especially to plants), have any medical condition, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Guarana may not be recommended in some situations.
Do not take guarana without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. Guarana contains a large amount of caffeine. Do not take guarana without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Guarana contains a large amount of caffeine, which may cause restlessness, sleep disorders, and other effects in breast-feeding infants. There is no information available regarding the use of guarana by children. Guarana contains a large amount of caffeine, which may cause anemia and other problems in children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.
How should I take guarana?
The use of guarana in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
If you choose to take guarana, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Standardized formulations of herbal/health supplements may provide a more reliable dose of the product.
Guarana is usually taken as a powder, mixed with water or another beverage.
Store guarana as directed on the package. In general, guarana should be protected from light and moisture.
What should I avoid while taking guarana?
The amount of caffeine consumed in other products should be monitored while taking guarana.There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking guarana, unless otherwise directed by your health care provider.
Value: Caffeine is certainly an effective stimulant that can help increase the general state of arousal and enhance mental and physical performance. It is also widely available in common foods (coffee, tea, cola) and is relatively inexpensive. For an athlete or exerciser who needs a little boost?before athletic competition or exercise, a moderate amount of caffeine may be helpful. For individuals attempting to lose weight, however, guarana and caffeine do not appear to be especially effective as stand-alone weight loss aids, but in combination with other thermogenic and nervous system stimulants, the caffeine may extend the activity and potency of certain supplement ingredients.
Dosage: Caffeine intake of 180-450 milligrams a day (about the amount in 2-4 cups of brewed coffee or 500-1000mg of guarana extract) has been associated with mild stimulant properties and enhanced physical and mental performance. Higher levels of intake are not associated with additional increases in performance, but may result in adverse side effects such as tension, irritability and nausea.
Scientific References:
1.Guarana and Gurana Extract:Phytochemicals,Botanical Info and History....
Claims & Warning:
Claims: Information this web site presented is meant for Nutritional Benefit and as an educational starting point only, for use in maintenance and promotion good health in cooperation with a common knowledge base reference...Furthermore,it based solely on the traditional and historic use or legend of a given herb from the garden of Adonis. Although every effort has been made to ensure its accurate, please note that some info may be outdated by more recent scientific developments......
Pharmakon Warning: The order of knowledge is not the transparent order of forms and ideas,as one might be tempted retrospectively to interpret it; it is the antidote....(Dissemination,Plato's Pharmacy,II.The Ingredients:Phantasms,Festivals,and Paints;138cf. Jacques Derrida.).
And as it happens,the technique of imitation,along with the production of the simulacrum,has always been in Plato's eyes manifestly magical,thaumaturgical:......and the same things appear bent and straight to those who view them in water and out,or concave and convex,owing to similar errors of vision about colors, and there is obviously every confusion of this sort in our souls.And so scene painting (skiagraphia) in its exploitation of this weakness of four nature falls nothing short of witchcraft (thaumatopoia), and so do jugglery and many other such contrivances.(Republic X,602c-d;cf.also 607c).
What is Guarana?
Guarana is a natural herbal stimulant originating from the Brazilian Amazon basin.
It comes from the climbing vine Paullinia Cupana.
The plant fruits a red berry with white flesh and a black seed. When it ripens the berry looks like an eye and is known as the 'Eyes of the Rainforest' by the traditional guardians; the Satere Mawe Indians.
Once harvested the skin is discarded and the seed kept as the stimulant. For powder the seeds are sun-dried. For bastaos ( Guarana sticks) they are toasted
Traditionally the seeds are then pulverized. to make traditional bastaos.
Water is added and the Guarana is formed into sticks or Bastaos.
These are then baked in a smoke house.
Once baked a stick is then grated, using the tongue cartilage of the Amazon river cod (Pirarucu) , to make drinks by the indigenous Indians and local inhabitants alike.
Guarana has been used and revered for hundreds of years.
The benefits of Guarana include: · Increased stamina, energy and endurance.
· Helping with mental and physical fatigue.
· Suppressing appetite. · Helping with the effects of humidity
· Enhancing sexual performance.
· Use as a general tonic. Guarana contains 5% naturally occurring caffeine with the main active ingredient being Guaranine which has the effect of being more slow acting but longer lasting than caffeine on it's own. It is not associated with caffeine headaches, irritability, nervousness or palpitations.
Guarana has a legendary story and is now recognised as an effective supplement which can help us keep up with the demands of our modern day busy lives.
Guarana is such a versatile supplement; it can be used in so many different ways. It is always worthwhile keeping it to hand as it is useful for concentration, exercising, dancing and slimming or as a general pick-me-up tonic.
Guarana can be taken in capsule form, ready powdered for shakes and smoothies or traditionally as a stick for you to grate yourself ( a nutmeg grater is sufficient).
TO SEE ALL OUR GUARANA PRODUCTS CLICK HERE
