Contents:
Common Names | Parts Usually Used | Plant(s) & Culture | Where Found | Medicinal Properties | Biochemical Information
Legends, Myths and Stories | Uses | Formulas or Dosages | Nutrient Content | Warning | Resource Links
Scientific Names
- Ilex guayusa Loes.
Common Names
- Guayusa
- Waisa (Kichwa)
- Wayus (Shuar)
- Wais (Shuar)
Parts Usually Used
The leaves are the primary part used medicinally and for beverage preparation. Fresh leaves are harvested and then dried for processing into tea, powders, and extracts.
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Guayusa is an evergreen dioecious holly tree that grows 6-30 meters (20-98 feet) tall in the Amazon rainforest. The leaves are ovate, elliptic, oblong, or lanceolate, measuring 7-22 cm long and 2.5-7 cm wide, with serrate or dentate margins. The tree produces small white flowers arranged in thyrses, and spherical red fruits 6-7 mm in diameter. It has a ramified trunk up to 1 meter in diameter and displays shrub-like appearance during its juvenile stage before becoming a full tree.
The plant is predominantly a product of indigenous agroforestry systems and has gradually lost its ability for sexual reproduction through centuries of vegetative propagation by indigenous farmers. It reproduces asexually through basal shoots, sprouts, and suckers. Guayusa grows quickly in stable tropical climates, and leaf harvesting can begin approximately one year after planting. The plant can be harvested year-round, providing an important advantage over seasonal crops.
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Where Found
Guayusa is native to the upper Amazonian regions of Ecuador, Peru, southern Colombia, and Bolivia, growing at elevations between 200-2,000 meters (660-6,560 feet). It thrives in evergreen or deciduous premontane forests, especially those dominated by Dictyocaryum palms, and prefers sandy-loamy soils with pH 4.34-5.01. The plant is most widely cultivated in Ecuador, particularly in the provinces of Napo and Pastaza, where it has been domesticated by indigenous communities for centuries.
While found throughout the Amazon rainforest, guayusa is known almost exclusively as a cultivated plant rather than a wild species. It has been collected only rarely in the wild by botanists and is primarily maintained in indigenous forest gardens called chakras.
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Medicinal Properties
Guayusa possesses remarkable medicinal properties due to its rich content of bioactive compounds. The plant demonstrates significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, and potentially anticancer activities. Its high concentration of polyphenols, particularly chlorogenic acids and flavonoids, provides powerful free radical scavenging capabilities that may help protect against chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
The plant’s caffeine and theobromine content work synergistically to provide sustained energy and mental alertness without the jitteriness often associated with coffee. Studies have shown that guayusa may help stabilize blood sugar levels, support weight management, improve cognitive performance and mood, and provide cardiovascular benefits including vasodilation and blood pressure regulation. The presence of L-theanine contributes to its calming effects while maintaining alertness.
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Biochemical Information
Guayusa contains a diverse array of bioactive compounds that contribute to its therapeutic properties:
- Caffeine (1.73-3.48% in fresh leaves, similar to coffee levels)
- Theobromine and other dimethylxanthines (including paraxanthine and theophylline)
- L-theanine (amino acid with calming properties)
- Chlorogenic acids (primary phenolic compounds)
- Flavonoids including quercetin, rutin, and kaempferol derivatives
- Carotenoids such as lutein, β-carotene, and α-carotene
- Triterpenoids including ursolic acid and oleanolic acid
- Amino acids including alanine, glutamine, and tryptophan
- Vitamins including ascorbic acid, riboflavin, choline, and pyridoxine
- Essential minerals and sugars
Legends, Myths and Stories
Guayusa holds profound cultural significance in Amazonian traditions, with evidence of human use dating back 1,500 years. A bundle of guayusa leaves was discovered in a medicine man’s tomb in the Bolivian Andes, far beyond the plant’s natural range, indicating its ceremonial importance in ancient times.
The Kichwa people of Ecuador have cultivated and consumed guayusa for centuries as part of their daily rituals. They traditionally gather before dawn around a cauldron of brewing guayusa to share stories, interpret dreams, and receive guidance for the day ahead. According to Kichwa belief, drinking guayusa early in the morning provides protection against poisonous snakes and gives energy to work throughout the day. The plant is also said to promote vivid dreaming, with elders interpreting these dreams to guide community decisions.
Jesuit missionaries in the 17th and 18th centuries documented the daily consumption of guayusa by various Amazonian peoples and noted its medicinal and stimulant properties. The Jivaroan peoples used guayusa in pre-dawn ceremonies involving the consumption of large amounts followed by ritualistic vomiting to cleanse the digestive system.
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Uses
Guayusa has been used traditionally and modernly for numerous purposes across different cultures and applications:
Traditional medicinal uses include:
- Natural stimulant and energy enhancer without jitters
- Mood enhancement and stress reduction
- Digestive aid and stomach tonic
- Treatment of menopause symptoms and pregnancy discomfort
- Support for fertility and hormonal balance
- Cognitive enhancement and improved concentration
- Blood sugar regulation and diabetes management
- Weight loss support through metabolism enhancement
- Cardiovascular support and blood pressure regulation
- Anti-inflammatory therapy for various conditions
- Immune system support through antioxidant activity
Cultural and ceremonial uses include:
- Daily ritual beverage in Amazonian communities
- Dream enhancement and spiritual guidance
- Social bonding during community gatherings
- Pre-hunt and pre-work preparation rituals
- Cleansing ceremonies and digestive purification
- Natural insect and snake repellent when applied topically
Modern applications include:
- Alternative to coffee and traditional energy drinks
- Functional food ingredient in health products
- Nutraceutical and dietary supplement development
- Natural ingredient in energy bars and beverages
- Cosmetic applications for anti-aging products
- Research applications for neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement
Formulas or Dosages
Traditional preparation involves steeping 1 teaspoon (approximately 2 grams) of loose-leaf guayusa in 8 ounces (240 ml) of boiling water for 5-7 minutes, yielding about 38 mg of caffeine per serving.
For cognitive enhancement: A single 650 mg dose of guayusa tea has been shown to improve cognitive performance and mood within 2 hours in clinical studies.
For antioxidant benefits: Studies suggest that standard tea brewing conditions (90°C for 2-60 minutes) can extract maximum antioxidant phenolics from guayusa leaves.
For blood sugar management: Animal studies have used guayusa supplements over 28-day periods, though human dosing guidelines require further research.
Safe caffeine limits: For healthy adults, moderate caffeine intake up to 400 mg per day is generally considered safe. Pregnant individuals should limit caffeine to less than 200 mg per day.
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Nutrient Content
Guayusa is predominantly composed of carbohydrates with crude fiber as its primary constituent. Nutritional analysis reveals:
- Carbohydrates: 64.1 ± 1.5 g/100g (including fructose and glucose as main sugars)
- Crude fiber: 37.0 ± 1.7 g/100g (nearly double that of other teas)
- Low kilocalories, fats, and sugar levels
- Essential macroelements: potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium
- 17 amino acids identified (lower profile compared to green tea)
- 16 trace elements including essential minerals
- High antioxidant capacity exceeding that of green tea
- Caffeine content: 19.08 ± 0.31 mg/g dry weight
- Multiple vitamins including B-complex, vitamin C, and fat-soluble vitamins
How Sold
Guayusa is available in various commercial forms:
- Loose-leaf dried guayusa tea (most common form)
- Tea bags for convenient brewing
- Powdered guayusa for smoothies, oatmeal, and yogurt
- Liquid extracts and concentrated forms
- Energy drinks and commercial beverage blends
- Dietary supplement capsules and tablets
- Functional food ingredients in energy bars
- Organic and sustainably sourced varieties
- Traditional preparations from indigenous communities
- Specialty stores and online retailers
Warning
Guayusa is generally considered very safe with minimal side effects when consumed in moderation. However, certain precautions should be observed:
Caffeine-related considerations: Due to its caffeine content, excessive consumption may cause restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, fast heart rate, headaches, dizziness, and dehydration. Individuals sensitive to caffeine should start with smaller amounts.
Special populations should exercise caution: Those with anxiety disorders, arrhythmia, high blood pressure, migraines, sleep disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or ulcers should limit intake. Children, adolescents, pregnant and breastfeeding women should restrict consumption or consult healthcare providers.
Iron absorption: Like many teas, guayusa contains tannins that may interfere with iron absorption and potentially trigger nausea, especially on an empty stomach. People with iron deficiency may need to limit intake or consume guayusa between meals.
Drug interactions: The caffeine in guayusa may interact with certain medications including stimulants, antibiotics, asthma medications, and heart medications. Consult healthcare providers about potential interactions.
Timing considerations: Due to its stimulating effects, avoid consuming guayusa close to bedtime to prevent sleep disruption.
Quality and sourcing: Choose reputable suppliers and organic products when possible, as the FDA does not regulate herbal supplements in the same way as prescription drugs. Look for independently tested products to ensure quality and purity.
Overall, guayusa appears to have no greater risk to human health than existing teas such as green tea or yerba mate, with no documented hospital presentations or serious adverse effects reported in traditional use areas.
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Resource Links
Sacred Herbs of the Amazon: What Shamans Know That Science is Just Discovering
Healthline – What Is Guayusa? All You Need to Know
Verywell Health – What Is Guayusa Tea?
Ayusa – 9 Impressive Health Benefits of Guayusa
