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What is guarana?
Guarana (pronounced gwa-ra-naa) is a berry that grows in
Venezuela and the northern parts of Brazil. The name 'Guarana' comes
from the Guarani tribe that lives in Brazil. Guarana plays a very
important role in their culture, as this herb is believed to be
magical, a cure for bowel complaints and a way to regain strength.
They also tell the myth of a 'Devine Child', that was killed by a
serpent and whos eyes gave birth to this plant. Guarana's biological
name, Paullinia Cupana, was taken from the German medical botanist
C.F. Paullini, who discovered the tribe and the plant in the 18th
century. The taste of Guarana is distinctive and unique, and the
main reason for its success in Brazil as a soft drink. The main
ingredient of guarana is guaranine, which is chemically identical to
caffeine. This is the reason for the energy boost people get after
taking guarana. It became very popular in Europe. The guaranį 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. In the lushness of the Brazilian Amazon where
it originates, it often grows to 10 m high. At this stage the seeds
are harvested, to prevent them from falling on the ground.
Uses:
1) increases vitality
2) enhances potency
3) enhances resistance
4)
helps with endurance based activities, asthenic syndrom 5) quickens
perceptions, enhances memory
6) headaches, migraine 7) causes a higher blood pressure and an
increased heart rate
8) vertigos
9) helps during lasting flights
10) used for convalescence after serious illness, operations
11)
depressions, stresses
12) susceptibility to colds
13) meteoropathy
14) high blood-cholesterol
15) stomach upset
16) obesity, cellulite,
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