Ilex Guayusa
Ilex guayusa
A caffeine-rich holly from the Ecuadorian Amazon whose leaf tea has been drunk for thousands of years as a stimulant and in morning rituals.
Safety at a glance
- PregnancyNothing recorded
- BreastfeedingNothing recorded
- MedicinesNothing recorded
- Who should avoid itNothing recorded
- AllergiesNothing recorded
- Toxicity1 note →
Tap a box to read the safety notes below. “Nothing recorded” means our sources don't cover it, not that it's safe.
What is Ilex Guayusa?
- Plant family
- Aquifoliaceae, the holly family
- Parts used
- The leaves, made into a tea
- Where it grows
- The Amazon foothills of Ecuador, Colombia and Peru
- Genus
- Ilex
- Species
- guayusa
Also called
Guayusa
Traditionally used for
- Energy
- Alertness
- Colds
Traditionally described as
- Stimulant
- Antioxidant
Natural compounds
How it's prepared
Common ways Ilex Guayusa is prepared or sold. This isn't advice on how to take it; see Safety below.
- Tea / Infusion
The leaves are brewed into a tea, traditionally before dawn.[1]Study
Safety
Side effects
Too much can cause caffeine side effects such as headaches, nervousness and trembling.[1]Study
Toxicity testing
In animal tests, guayusa showed low toxicity, even at high doses. No safety studies have been done in pregnant women or young children.[1]Study
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
Guayusa, a caffeine-rich holly, has been drunk for thousands of years by Amazonian peoples of Ecuador. The Kichwa drink it before dawn while telling stories and interpreting dreams, and consider it sacred. Mixed with ginger and lime, it's used for colds. The Achuar drink large amounts and then make themselves vomit, partly to avoid the effects of too much caffeine.[1]Study
Laboratory & animal research
Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.
Its main compounds are caffeine-type alkaloids, terpenes and phenolic compounds. In studies, it acted as a physical and mental stimulant, may relieve pain and reduce inflammation, and showed antioxidant, antimicrobial and blood-sugar effects.[1]Study
In short
Too much can cause caffeine side effects such as headaches and nervousness.
Sources
- [1] Guayusa (Ilex guayusa Loes.) Ancestral Plant of Ecuador: History, Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Biological Activity, and Potential Industrial Uses · DOI: 10.3390/molecules30132837Peer-reviewed study
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Unfamiliar word? See what these words mean.