Guarana P.Cupana– Paullinia cupana
A climbing plant that can reach the height of a house must contain an enormous amount of energy. And it is true: the caffeine in the Amazonian plant is stronger than that in coffee. It is no wonder that the native inhabitants of Brazil discovered guaranas seeds as a natural energiser.
The Brazilian pick-me-up
Fields of application
Guarana seeds have a similar invigorating effect to coffee. They stimulate the heart and circulation and increase performance. The medicinal plant is therefore an effective aid for treating fatigue and exhaustion, weakness and poor concentration. But what exactly makes the caffeine in guarana so special? It is stronger than the caffeine in coffee, but at the same time it is milder and has a longer-lasting effect. After consumption, the guarana caffeine is quickly and almost completely absorbed, crosses the blood-brain and placental barrier at lightning speed and only loses its effect after two to three hours.
Botanical characteristics
Guarana is a liana that grows up to 12 metres high. Its leaves grow to between 20 and 35 centimetres in length and the bright flowers form racemose inflorescences. The ripe, caffeine-containing capsule fruits turn orange-red and open up, making the dark seed inside look like an eye. Guarana is mainly cultivated in northern and northwestern Brazil, and for the coveted guarana extract, the fruits are dried and processed into a powder. The name of the medicinal plant is derived from various legends of the region in the Amazon. Guaraná refers to the South American indigenous people of the Guaraní.