Sapindaceae
Guarana
Paullinia cupana
⚠ Use with Caution
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: Amazon basin, Brazil
Also known as: Brazilian Cocoa, Guarana Seed, Zoom
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Seed
Therapeutic Uses
Mental and physical fatigue, weight management, athletic performance, migraines (caffeine), cognitive function. Sustained release vs coffee.
Herbal Actions
Stimulant (sustained caffeine release via tannins), antioxidant, thermogenic, cognitive enhancer, antifatigue
Active Constituents
Guaranine/caffeine (3–6% — highest of any plant), theobromine, theophylline, tannins (catechins 5–10% — slow caffeine absorption), saponins
Preparation Methods
💊 CapsulePowder☕ Herbal Tea
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 0.5–1 tsp seed powder per 250ml, steep 5 min, 1–2x daily |
| Tincture | Standardized extract: 200–800mg 1–2x daily. Max 400mg total caffeine daily. |
| Notes | 3–6% caffeine — much higher than coffee (1–2%). Tannins slow absorption for less jittery effect. Avoid after 2pm. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
⚠ Use with Caution
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
⚠ Known interactions
Contraindications: Anxiety, hypertension, arrhythmias. MAOIs. Insomnia. Children. Pregnancy.
Side Effects: All caffeine effects (anxiety, insomnia, tachycardia). Dependency. Dental erosion.