Useful Herbs: Guarana

Written by Thomas Corriher Wednesday, 25 November 2009 14:06

Guarana: The New Ritalin For The Rest Of Us

One of the most common complaints among those suffering with chronic disease and illness is fatigue, exhaustion, and an inability to concentrate.  When the immune system is weakened, it uses up all of its reserve energy trying to fight off the infection(s).  Likewise, due to our modern eating habits, the immune system of the average person is under constant stress, leading to chronic fatigue.

Guarana is an all natural stimulant which contains a substance called guaranine, which is often mistaken for caffeine.  Guaranine is much safer, and yet more potent as a stimulant.  Guarana also contains large amounts of theophylline, theobromine, and tannic acid.  It is rich in saponins which reduces the risk of cancer and boosts the immune system.  Guarana seed is not water soluble, so absorption is usually slow.  While the effects of caffeine only last for around 3-4 hours, the effects of guarana can last for 8-10 hours.  Other than elevating the blood pressure, guarana has so far proven to be harmless.

Studies in rats have shown that guarana increases memory retention and physical endurance in comparison to a placebo.  In 2007, a double blind study assessed behavioral effects of four doses (37.5 mg., 75 mg., 150 mg., and 300 mg.) of guarana extract.  Memory, alertness and mood were increased, which confirmed a previous study finding cognitive improvements following just 75 mg. of guarana.  Surprisingly, the two lower doses produced even more positive cognitive effects than the higher doses, so it can quickly become too much of a good thing, and moderation is recommended.

The Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit which conducted the four phase study concluded that, “the effects cannot be attributed to caffeine alone”.  Caffeine is found inside the nuts that produce guaranine, and it has been impossible to chemically separate caffeine from guaranine, so it is commonly believed that guaranine is caffeine.  The same people making this claim must acknowledge that guaranine and caffeine have different strengths, are found in different plants, and have considerably different effects.  So the confusion demonstrates just how primitive modern science is at understanding these kinds of natural substances.  It is similar to the way that chemists cannot find a difference between synthetic and natural vitamins, but the human body will rapidly flush out only the synthetic vitamins.  The human body knows the difference between organic (real) vitamins and synthetic vitamins, and it likewise knows the difference between caffeine and guarana.

Guarana is ideal for dieters, because it somehow releases and uses energy primarily from fat cells. This process is not understood either, but it has been repeatedly observed and documented.  In a study published in the June 2001 issue of the Journal of Human Nutrition, guarana extract induced weight loss over 45 days in overweight patients taking a mixed herbal preparation containing yerbe mate, guarana, and damiana.  Body weight reductions averaged 11.22 pounds in the guarana group compared to less than one pound in the placebo group after 45 days.

It is difficult to find something that compares with guarana.  It enhances mood, improves concentration, improves memory, dissolves fat cells, and provides abundant energy for about 7 hours safely and naturally, without any jitteriness or side effects.  We can foresee that guarana herbal extracts are going to become very popular.  There are many properties to guarana which remain unexplained by science, and the true chemical makeup is apparently rather unclear.  Some studies cited antioxidant and antibacterial effects, with fat cell reduction in mice when combined with CLA (found in real butter).  We do not know of all the benefits of guarana at this time, but we will print additional articles as research yields more information.  Guarana is not recommended for those with chronically high blood pressure, and there is the usual warning about using it during pregnancy.

Guarana enhances their mood, helps with weight loss, and provides a much needed energy boost for most people.  If you doubt the power of herbal medicine, then this is the one that you need to become a believer.