This product is no longer sold by Raintree Nutrition, Inc. See the main product page for more information on why. Click on one of the product search links in the left margin of this page to find other available products. You can also see the rainforest products page to find other companies selling rainforest herbal supplements or rainforest plants in general.

The rainforest tribes in the Amazon have traditionally used guaraná mainly as a stimulant and as an astringent (drying agent) for treating chronic diarrhea.* This plant is well known in Brazil and has been turned into a highly popular softdrink. For more information guaraná (Paullinia cupana), please refer to the Database File for Guaraná in the Tropical Plant Database. To see photographs of guaraná, click here.

Traditional Uses:* as a caffeine stimulant for energy; as a weight loss aid (suppresses appetite and increases fat-burning); for headaches and migraines; to tone, balance, and strengthen the heart, as a blood cleanser, and to reduce/prevent sticky blood and blood clots; as a refrigerant (lowers body temperature) to prevent overheating and heat stroke

Suggested Use: This plant is best prepared as a decoction. Use one teaspoon of powder for each cup of water. Bring to a boil and gently boil in a covered pot for 20 minutes. Allow to cool and settle for 10 minutes and strain warm liquid into a cup (leaving the settled powder in the bottom of the pan). It is traditionally taken in 1 cup dosages, 1-3 times daily, or as desired. For more complete instructions on preparing herbal decoctions, see the Methods for Preparing Herbal Remedies Page.

Contraindications:

• 1. Not to be used during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.
• 2. Guaraná contains caffeine and should not be used by those who are sensitive or allergic to caffeine or xanthines. Excessive consumption of caffeine is contraindicated for persons with high blood pressure, cardiac disorders, diabetes, ulcers, epilepsy, and other disorders.

Drug Interactions: May have adverse effects (headaches) if used with MAO-inhibitors.

---

Published Third-Party Research on Guaraná

All available third-party research on guaraná can be found at PubMed. A partial listing of the published third party research on guaraná updated through Feb 2019 is shown below:

Stimulant Actions:
Sette, C., et al. "Purified dry Paullinia cupana (PC-18) extract for chemotherapy-induced fatigue: results of two double-blind randomized clinical trials." J. Die.t Suppl. 2018 Sep; 15(5): 673-683.
Martins, S., et al. "Placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study of a dry guarana extract in patients with head and neck tumors undergoing chemoradiotherapy: effects on fatigue and quality of life." J. Diet. Suppl. 2016 Jun; 20: 1-10.
Moustakas, D., et al. "Guarana provides additional stimulation over caffeine alone in the planarian model." PLoS One. 2015 Apr; 10(4): e0123310.
Palma, C., et al. "Guarana (Paullinia cupana) Improves anorexia in patients with advanced cancer." J. Diet. Suppl. 2016; 13(2): 221-31.
del Giglio, A., et al. "Purified dry extract of Paullinia cupana (guaraná) (PC-18) for chemotherapy-related fatigue in patients with solid tumors: an early discontinuation study." J. Diet. Suppl. 2013 Dec; 10(4): 325-34.
de Oliveira Campos, M., et al. "Guarana (Paullinia cupana) improves fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing systemic chemotherapy." J. Altern. Complement. Med. 2011 Jun; 17(6): 505-12.
Burke, L., et al. "A-Z of nutritional supplements: dietary supplements, sports nutrition foods and ergogenic aids for health and performance--Part 19." Br. J. Sports Med. 2011 Apr;45(5):456-8.
da Costa Miranda, V., et al. "Effectiveness of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) for postradiation fatigue and depression: results of a pilot double-blind randomized study." J. Altern. Complement. Med. 2009 Apr; 15(4): 431-3.
Roberts, A., et al. "The effect of an herbal supplement containing black tea and caffeine on metabolic parameters in humans." Altern. Med. Rev. 2005 Dec; 10(4): 321-5.
Berube-Parent, S., et al. "Effects of encapsulated green tea and guarana extracts containing a mixture of epigallocatechin-3-gallate and caffeine on 24 h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in men." Br. J. Nutr. 2005 Sep; 94(3): 432-6.
Campos, A., et al. "Acute effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) on mouse behaviour in forced swimming and open field tests." Phytother. Res. 2005; 19(5): 441-3.
Weckerle, C., et al. "Purine alkaloids in Paullinia." Phytochemistry. 2003 Oct; 64(3): 735-42.
Lieberman, H., et al. "Effects of caffeine, sleep loss, and stress on cognitive performance and mood during U.S. Navy SEAL training." Psychopharmacology. 2002; 164(3): 250-61.
Espinola, E., et al. "Pharmacological activity of guaraná (Paullinia cupana Mart.) in laboratory animals." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1997; 55(3): 223-29.
Marx, F., et al. "Analysis of guaraná (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis). Part 1. HPLC determination of caffeine, theobromine and theophylline in guaraná seeds." Dtsch. Lebenstm. Tundsch. 1985; 81(12): 390-92.
Belliardo, F., et al. "HPLC determination of caffeine and theophylline in Paullinia cupana Kunth (guaraná) and Cola spp. samples." Z. Lebensm. Unters. Forsch.1985; 180(5): 398-401.

Anti-obesity Actions:
Lima, N., et al. "The effect of Guarana (Paullinia cupana) on metabolic and inflammatory parameters in adult male mice programmed by maternal obesity." Eur. J. Nutr. 2018 Apr 6.
Lima, N., et al. "Guarana (Paullinia cupana) stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis in mice fed high-fat." Diet. Nutrients. 2018 Jan; 10(2).
Lima, N., et al. "Modulatory effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana) on adipogenesis." Nutrients. 2017 Jun 20; 9(6).
Pomportes, L., et al. "Cognitive performance enhancement induced by caffeine, carbohydrate and guarana mouth rinsing during submaximal exercise." Nutrients. 2017 Jun; 9(6).
Costa Krewer, C., et al. "Habitual intake of guaraná and metabolic morbidities: an epidemiological study of an elderly Amazonian population." Phytother Res. 2011 Sep; 25(9): 1367-74.
Lima, W., et al. "Lipid metabolism in trained rats: effect of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) supplementation." Clin. Nutr. 2005 Dec; 24(6): 1019-28.
Andersen, T., et al. "Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients." J. Hum. Nutr. Diet. 2001; 14(3): 243-50.

Antiaggregation Actions:
Subbiah, M., et al. "Studies on the nature of anti-platelet aggregatory factors in the seeds of the Amazonian herb guarana (Paullinia cupana)." Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res. 2008 Mar; 78(2): 96-101.
Bydlowski, S, et al. "An aqueous extract of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) decreases platelet thromboxane synthesis." Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. 1991; 24(4): 421-24.
Bydlowski, S., et al. "A novel property of an aqueous guaraná extract (Paullinia cupana): inhibition of platelet aggregation in vitro and in vivo." Braz. J. Med. Biol Res. 1988; 21(3): 535-38.

Anti-Allery Actions:
Jippo, T., et al. "Inhibitory effects of guarana seed extract on passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and mast cell degranulation." Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 2009 Sep; 73(9): 2110-2.

Memory Enhancement & Neuroprotective Actions:
Sereia, A., et al. "In vitro evaluation of the protective effects of plant extracts against amyloid-beta peptide-induced toxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells." PLoS One. 2019 Feb; 14(2): e0212089.
Boasquívis, P., et al. "Guarana (Paullinia cupana) extract protects Caenorhabditis elegans models for Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington disease through activation of antioxidant and protein degradation pathways." Oxid. Med. Cell. Longev. 2018 Jul; 2018: 9241308.
Zamberlan, D., et al. "Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) protects against amyloid-β toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans through heat shock protein response activation." Nutr. Neurosci. 2018 Sep 9:1-11.
Mingori, M., et al. "Effect of Paullinia cupana Mart. commercial extract during the aging of middle age wistar rats: differential effects on the hippocampus and striatum." Neurochem. Res. 2017 Aug; 42(8): 2257-2273.
Ruchel, J., et al. "Guarana (Paullinia cupana) ameliorates memory impairment and modulates acetylcholinesterase activity in Poloxamer-407-induced hyperlipidemia in rat brain." Physiol. Behav. 2017 Jan; 168: 11-19.
Bittencourt Lda, S., et al. "Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) prevents β-amyloid aggregation, generation of advanced glycation-end products (AGEs), and acrolein-induced cytotoxicity on human neuronal-like cells." Phytother. Res. 2014 Nov; 28(11): 1615-24.
Dimpfel, W. Pharmacological classification of herbal extracts by means of comparison to spectral EEG signatures induced by synthetic drugs in the freely moving rat." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Sep; 149(2): 583-9.
Kennedy, D., et al. "Improved cognitive performance and mental fatigue following a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement with added guaraná (Paullinia cupana)." Appetite. 2008 Mar-May; 50(2-3): 506-13.
Haskell, C., et al. "A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose evaluation of the acute behavioural effects of guarana in humans." J. Psychopharmacol. 2007; 21(1): 65-70.
Kennedy, D., et al. "Improved cognitive performance in human volunteers following administration of guarana (Paullinia cupana) extract: comparison and interaction with Panax ginseng." Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 2004 Nov; 79(3): 401-11.
Espinola, E., et al. "Pharmacological activity of Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) in laboratory animals." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1997 Feb; 55(3): 223-9.
Galduróz, J., et al. "The effects of long-term administration of guaraná on the cognition of normal, elderly volunteers." Rev. Paul. Med. 1996; 114(1): 1073-78.
Benoni, H., et al. "Studies on the essential oil from guaraná." Z. Lebensm. Unters. Forsch. 1996; 203(1): 95-8.
Galduróz, J., et al. "Acute effects of the Paulinia cupana, ‘guaraná,’ on the cognition of normal volunteers." Rev. Paul. Med. 1994; 112(3): 607-11.

Anti-anxiety & Antidepressant Actions:
Lima, N., et al. "The effect of Guarana (Paullinia cupana) on metabolic and inflammatory parameters in adult male mice programmed by maternal obesity." Eur. J. Nutr. 2018 Apr 6.
Silvestrini, G., et al. "Effects of a commercial product containing guaraná on psychological well-being, anxiety and mood: a single-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy subjects." J. Negat. Results Biomed. 2013 May; 12: 9.
Haskell, C., et al. "Behavioural effects of compounds co-consumed in dietary forms of caffeinated plants." Nutr. Res. Rev. 2013 Jun; 26(1): 49-70.
Roncon, C., et al. "Anxiolytic effects of a semipurified constituent of guaraná seeds on rats in the elevated T-maze test." Planta Med. 2011 Feb; 77(3): 236-41.
Otobone, F., et al. "Effect of lyophilized extracts from guaraná seeds [Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (Mart.) Ducke] on behavioral profiles in rats." Phytother Res. 2007 Jun; 21(6): 531-5.
Ernst, E. "Herbal remedies for anxiety - a systematic review of controlled clinical trials." Phytomedicine. 2006 Feb; 13(3): 205-8.

Hypoglycemic & Cholesterol-lowering Actions:
Silva, C., et al. "Polyphenols from guaraná after in vitro digestion: Evaluation of bioacessibility and inhibition of activity of carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes." Food Chem. 2018 Nov; 267: 405-409.
Ruchel, J., et al. "Hypercholesterolemia and ecto-enzymes of purinergic system: effects of Paullinia cupana." Phytother. Res. 2016 Jan; 30(1): 49-57.
Portella Rde, L., et al. "Guaraná (Paullinia cupana Kunth) effects on LDL oxidation in elderly people: an in vitro and in vivo study." Lipids Health Dis. 2013 Feb; 12:12.

Anti-Aging Actions:
Arantes, L., et al. "Mechanisms involved in anti-aging effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana) in Caenorhabditis elegans." Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. 2018 Jul; 51(9): e7552.
Zamberlan, D., et al. "Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) protects against amyloid-β toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans through heat shock protein response activation." Nutr. Neurosci. 2018 Sep 9:1-11.
Peixoto, H., et al. "Anti-aging and antioxidant potential of Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis: findings in Caenorhabditis elegans indicate a new utilization for roasted seeds of guarana." Medicines. 2017 Aug 15; 4(3).
Mingori, M., et al. "Effect of Paullinia cupana Mart. commercial extract during the aging of middle age Wistar rats: differential effects on the hippocampus and striatum." Neurochem. Res. 2017 Aug; 42(8): 2257-2273.
Bittencourt Lda, S., et al. "Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) prevents β-amyloid aggregation, generation of advanced glycation-end products (AGEs), and acrolein-induced cytotoxicity on human neuronal-like cells." Phytother. Res. 2014 Nov; 28(11): 1615-24.

Cellular Protective, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory & Immune Modulation Actions:
Duarte, T., et al. "The influence of a xanthine-catechin chemical matrix on in vitro macrophage-activation triggered by antipsychotic ziprasidone." Inflammation. 2018 Dec 14.
Pateiro, M., et al. "Guarana seed extracts as a useful strategy to extend the shelf life of pork patties: UHPLC-ESI/QTOF phenolic profile and impact on microbial inactivation, lipid and protein oxidation and antioxidant capacity." Food Res. Int. 2018 Dec; 114: 55-63.
Kleber Silveira, A., et al. "Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) alters gut microbiota and modulates redox status, partially via caffeine in Wistar rats." Phytother. Res. 2018 Dec; 32(12): 2466-2474.
Lima, N., et al. "The effect of Guarana (Paullinia cupana) on metabolic and inflammatory parameters in adult male mice programmed by maternal obesity." Eur. J. Nutr. 2018 Apr 6.
Arantes, L., et al. "Mechanisms involved in anti-aging effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana) in Caenorhabditis elegans." Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. 2018 Jul; 51(9): e7552.
Veloso, C., et al. "Neuroprotective effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana mart.) against vincristine in vitro exposure." J. Prev. Alzheimers Dis. 2018; 5(1): 65-70.
Arantes, L., et al. "Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) attenuates methylmercury-induced toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans." Toxicol. Res. 2016 Nov; 5(6): 1629-1638.
Rajfer, R., et al. "Enhancement of fracture healing in the rat, modulated by compounds that stimulate inducible nitric oxide synthase: Acceleration of fracture healing via inducible nitric oxide synthase." Bone Joint Res. 2017 Feb; 6(2): 90-97.
Carvalho, L., et al. "Evaluation of Antibacterial, antineoplastic, and immunomodulatory activity of Paullinia cupana Seeds crude extract and ethyl-acetate fraction." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2016; 2016: 1203274.
Yonekura, L., et al. "Bioavailability of catechins from guaraná (Paullinia cupana) and its effect on antioxidant enzymes and other oxidative stress markers in healthy human subjects." Food Funct. 2016 Jul; 7(7): 2970-8.
Kober, H., et al. "Genoprotective and hepatoprotective effects of Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart. var. sorbilis) on CCl4-induced liver damage in rats." Drug Chem. Toxicol. 2016; 39(1): 48-52.
Bittencourt Lda, S., et al. "Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) prevents β-amyloid aggregation, generation of advanced glycation-end products (AGEs), and acrolein-induced cytotoxicity on human neuronal-like cells." Phytother. Res. 2014 Nov; 28(11): 1615-24.
Oliveira, S., et al. "Paullinia cupana for control of hot flashes in breast cancer patients: a pilot study." Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2013 Dec; 11(4): 435-8.
Dalonso, N., et al. "Guarana powder polysaccharides: characterisation and evaluation of the antioxidant activity of a pectic fraction." Food Chem. 2012 Oct; 134(4): 1804-12.
Portella Rde, L., et al. "Guaraná (Paullinia cupana Kunth) effects on LDL oxidation in elderly people: an in vitro and in vivo study." Lipids Health Dis. 2013 Feb 8; 12: 12.
Bittencourt, L., et al. "The protective effects of guaraná extract (Paullinia cupana) on fibroblast Nih-3T3 cells exposed to sodium nitroprusside." Food Chem. Toxicol. 2013 Mar; 53: 119-25.
Leite, R., et al. "Advantage of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) supplementation on cadmium-induced damages in testis of adult Wistar rats." Toxicol Pathol. 2013 Jan; 41(1): 73-9.
Costa Krewer, C., et al. "Habitual intake of guaraná and metabolic morbidities: an epidemiological study of an elderly Amazonian population." Phytother. Res. 2011 Feb 22.
de Oliveira, D., et al. "Paullinia cupana Mart. var. Sorbilis protects human dopaminergic neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line against rotenone-induced cytotoxicity." Hum. Exp. Toxicol. 2011 Sep; 30(9): 1382-91.
Fukumasu, H., et al. "Paullinia cupana Mart. var. sorbilis, guarana, increases survival of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice by decreasing cyclin-D1 expression and inducing a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in EAC cells." Phytother Res. 2011 Jan; 25(1): 11-6.
Leite, R., et al. "Protective effect of Guaraná (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis) pre-treatment on cadmium-induced damages in adult Wistar testis." Biol. Trace. Elem. Res. 2011 Jun; 141(1-3): 262-74.
Yamaguti-Sasaki, E., et al. "Antioxidant capacity and in vitro prevention of dental plaque formation by extracts and condensed tannins of Paullinia cupana." Molecules. 2007 Aug; 12(8): 1950-63.
Freitas, R., et al. "Effect of a commercial extract of Paullinia cupana (guarana) on the binding of 99mTc-DMSA on blood constituents: An in vivo study." Appl. Radiat. Isot. 2007 May; 65(5): 528-33.
Mendes, F., et al. "Brazilian plants as possible adaptogens: An ethnopharmacological survey of books edited in Brazil." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Feb; 109(3): 493-500.
Fukumasu, H., et al. "Protective effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart. var. Sorbilis) against DEN-induced DNA damage on mouse liver." Food Chem. Toxicol. 2006 Jun; 44(6): 862-7.
Basile, A., et al. "Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of ethanol extract from Paullinia cupana Mart." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Oct; 102(1): 32-6.
Campos, A., et al. "Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) offers protection against gastric lesions induced by ethanol and indomethacin in rats." Phytother. Res. 2003 Dec; 17(10): 1199-202.
Mattei, R., et al. "Guaraná (Paullinia cupana): Toxic behavioral effects in laboratory animals and antioxidant activity in vitro." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1998; 60(2): 111-16.
Miura, T., et al. "Effect of guaraná on exercise in normal and epinephrine-induced glycogenolytic mice." Biol. Pharm. Bull. 1998; 21(6): 646-48.

Antimicrobial Actions:
Pateiro, M., et al. "Guarana seed extracts as a useful strategy to extend the shelf life of pork patties: UHPLC-ESI/QTOF phenolic profile and impact on microbial inactivation, lipid and protein oxidation and antioxidant capacity." Food Res. Int. 2018 Dec; 114: 55-63.
Carvalho, L., et al. "Evaluation of antibacterial, antineoplastic, and immunomodulatory activity of Paullinia cupana seeds crude extract and ethyl-acetate fraction." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2016; 2016: 1203274.
Basile, A., et al. "Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of ethanol extract from Paullinia cupana Mart." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Oct; 102(1): 32-6.
da Fonseca, C., et al. "Genotoxic and mutagenic effects of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) in prokaryotic organisms." Mutat. Res. 1994; 321(3): 165-73.
Yamaguti-Sasaki, E., et al. "Antioxidant capacity and in vitro prevention of dental plaque formation by extracts and condensed tannins of Paullinia cupana." Molecules. 2007 Aug; 12(8): 1950-63.

Anticancerous Actions:
Cadoná, F., et al. "Guaraná, a highly caffeinated food, presents in vitro antitumor activity in colorectal and breast cancer cell lines by inhibiting AKT/mTOR/S6K and MAPKs pathways." Nutr. Cancer. 2017 Jul; 69(5): 800-810.
Carvalho, L., et al. "Evaluation of antibacterial, antineoplastic, and immunomodulatory activity of Paullinia cupana seeds crude extract and ethyl-acetate fraction." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2016; 2016: 1203274.
Lima, R., et al. "In vitro and in vivo anti-malarial activity of plants from the Brazilian Amazon." Malar. J. 2015 Dec; 14: 508. (Melanoma in vitro)
Hertz, E., et al. "Effect of Paullinia cupana on MCF-7 breast cancer cell response to chemotherapeutic drugs. Mol. Clin. Oncol. 2015 Jan; 3(1): 37-43.
Oliveira, S., et al. "Paullinia cupana for control of hot flashes in breast cancer patients: a pilot study." Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2013 Dec; 11(4): 435-8.
Fukumasu, H., et al. "Paullinia cupana Mart var. sorbilis, guaraná, reduces cell proliferation and increases apoptosis of B16/F10 melanoma lung metastases in mice." Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. 2008 Apr; 41(4): 305-10.
Fukumasu, H., et al. "Chemopreventive effects of Paullinia cupana Mart var. sorbilis, the guarana, on mouse hepatocarcinogenesis." Cancer Lett. 2006 Feb; 233(1) 158-164.

Antimicrobial Actions:
Aguiar, B., et al. "Chemical analysis of the semipurified extract of Paullinia cupana and evaluation of in vitro inhibitory effects against Helicobacter pylori." Nat. Prod. Res. 2019 Jan; 2: 1-4.
Matsuura. E., et al. "In vitro effect of Paullinia cupana (guaraná) on hydrophobicity, biofilm formation, and adhesion of Candida albicans' to polystyrene, composites, and buccal epithelial cells." Arch. Oral Biol. 2015 Mar; 60(3): 471-8.
Basile, A., et al. "Antibacterial and antifungal activities of acetonic extract from Paullinia cupana Mart. seeds." Nat. Prod Res. 2013; 27(22): 2084-90.
Basile, A., et al. "Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of ethanol extract from Paullinia cupana Mart." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Oct; 102(1): 32-6.

Toxic / Non-Toxic Effect:
Ciszowski, K., et al. "Acute caffeine poisoning resulting in atrial fibrillation after guarana extract overdose. Przegl. Lek. 2014;71(9):495-8.
Antonelli-Ushirobira, T., et al. "Acute and subchronic toxicological evaluation of the semipurified extract of seeds of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) in rodents." Food Chem. Toxicol. 2010 Jul; 48(7): 1817-20.

Herb-Drug Interactions:
Ventura, S., et al. "Effects of Paullinia cupana extract on lamotrigine pharmacokinetics in rats: A herb-drug interaction on the gastrointestinal tract with potential clinical impact." Food Chem. Toxicol. 2018 May; 115: 170-177.
Rodrigues, M., et al. "Herb-drug interaction of Paullinia cupana (Guarana) seed extract on the pharmacokinetics of amiodarone in rats." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2012; 2012: 428560.