Creative Nature Review
Guarana: 'Paullina Cupana'
Over the last 10 years Guarana has become increasingly popular as a ‘herbal high’ or natural stimulant. Taking 1 gram Guarana Seed Powder orally will provide a clean hit of energy, mental clarity and gentle excitement that usually lasts between 2-4 hrs.
Its main constituent is known as ‘guaranine’, which has a similar chemical structure to caffeine but is 15 times less toxic. Despite possessing all of the positive stimulating effects of coffee/caffeine, it possesses few of the negative side effects.
South Americans have used it for hundreds of years as a general tonic for the body and as a source of natural energy. Its properties are described in herbal encyclopaedias as a Nervine, tonic, and stimulant, aphrodisiac and febrifuge. It benefits are listed as; combats fatigue, increases energy, stimulates brain function, aids concentration, relives headaches and menstrual pain, helps to speed recovery from illness, reduces the appetite, acts as a gentle diuretic and improves tolerance to heat and humidity.