PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS GUARANA/377

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the peeled, dried,

roasted and pulverized seeds, formed into a thick paste with

water.

^ Flower and Fruit: The usually unisexual flowers are

inconspicuous, yellow to whitish and fragrant. They are in 30

long panicles, which only produce female or male flowers at

any one time. The fruit is a hazelnut-sized, deep yellow to

red-orange 3-sectioned capsule, which bursts open when ripe

and releases 1 purple-brown to black seed in a cup-like aril.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a woody, evergreen

perennial vine up to 10 m long, which climbs through the

jungle. It is bushier in its cultivated form. The leaves are

large, palmate, coriaceous, distinctly ribbed and roughly

crenate-serrate.

Characteristics: A paste is formed from the pulverized and

roasted seeds, formed into rolls or bars and dried. The taste is

astringent, bitter then sweet, and the odor is reminiscent of

chocolate.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to the Amazon basin and

has been introduced into other rain forests. The main area of

*k cultivation is between Maues and Manau in Brazil.

Production: Guarana seeds are the seeds of Paullinia cupana.

A preparation is also made from the ground seeds. Over a

period of approximately 75 days, the pollinated flower

develops a "ripe" guarana raceme, which is harvested by

hand from October to December. Seeds (up to 80 per

raceme) are taken out of the capsule shells, soaked for a time

in water and then finally separated from the arillus.

Subsequent to being dried in the sun, the seeds are roasted

for 2 to 3 hours in special clay ovens. Once they have

cooled, the parchment-like shell is removed and the seeds are

ground down. Following this, the resulting paste is smoked

over aromatic charcoal. The final product is dark brown in

color and in stick form.

Other Names: Brazilian Cocoa, Guarana Bread, Paullinia

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Purine alkaloids: chief alkaloid caffeine (3.6-5.8%), in

addition, small amounts of theophylline and theobromine

w Tannins (12%): oligomeric proanthocyanidins, condensed

tannins

Cyanolipides: including among others, 2,4-dihydroxy-3-

methylene-butyronitrile

Saponins

Starch (30%)

Proteins (15%)

EFFECTS

Guarana produces a stimulating effect, due to the presence of

purines (caffeine, theobromine, theophylline). Caffeine is

centrally stimulating, has a positive inotropic and, in high

concentrations, has a positive chronotropic cardiac effect. It

relaxes the vascular muscles (with the exception of cerebral

vessels that constrict) and the bronchial tube.

Caffeine works as a short-term diuretic and increases gastric

secretion. Furthermore, it increases the release of catechol-

amines. Inhibition of blood platelet aggregation has been

observed.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Guarana is used as a tonic for fatigue and to

quell hunger and thirst, for headache and dysmenorrhoea,

digestion problems, fever and as a diuretic. Its effect in

stimulating the circulation, heart and diuresis can be

explained by the caffeine content.

Homeopathic Uses: Headache

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: No health hazards or side effects are known in

conjunction with the proper administration of designated

therapeutic dosages. Quantities corresponding to up to 400

mg caffeine per day (7 to 11 gm of the herb), spread out over

the day, are toxicologically harmless to a healthy adult

habituated to caffeine, through regular consumption of

coffee or black tea.

One must remember that the quantities of caffeine consid-

ered harmless are calculated to include all of the foodstuffs

and beverages containing the substance (including coffee,

tea, cola, etc.). Caution is advised for patients with sensitive

cardiovascular systems, renal diseases, hyperthyroidism,

increased tendency to spasms and certain psychic disorders

such as panic anxiety.

Drug Interactions: The diuretic action of Guarana may lead

to hypokalemia with excessive use. Hypokalemia may

increase digoxin toxicity.

Pregnancy: Pregnant women should avoid caffeine, and

under no circumstances exceed a dosage of over 300 mg per

day.

Nursing Mothers: Infants whose nursing mothers consume

caffeine products could suffer from sleeping disorders.

OVERDOSAGE

The first symptoms of poisoning are dysuria, vomiting and

abdominal spasms.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: The seeds of Paullinia cupana are

grated and taken directly as powder or diluted in water or