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Guarana is a climbing vine, which is found in the Amazon. It has a long history of use as a stimulant in South America and was often used by natives while hunting to keep them alert.
The Tupi Indians believed that the Guarana plant was created by a female shaman called Omniamasabe. The legend says that she was made pregnant by the snake god, Mboy and had a son. Her son was killed by her brother who transformed himself into a parrot while on Ayahuasca. When Omniamasabe found her dead son, she wept on his body, which turned him into a guarana plant.
Guarana is thought to contain around twice the amount of caffeine found in coffee beans, (around 2-5%) and other xanthines, which are mild stimulants.
It is often used to make energy drinks for its energising and stimulating properties and is popular in Brazil where it is used as a health tonic and to help people to overcome fatigue. It is also believed to repair damage caused by stress, cure hangovers and combat menstrual headaches.
50g
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