Family Name: Sapindaceae
Botanical Name(s): Paullinia Cupana
Popular Name(s): Guarana
Parts Used: Seeds
Habitat:The vast majority of guarana is grown in a small area in
northern Brazil.
Description: Guarana is a scandent shrub or woody liana. Its
leaves are alternate with five folioles and, when tendrils exist, they
are auxiliary. The inflorescences are on axillar racemes or originate on
the tendrils. The flowers are male and female, zygomorphous and have
five petals and sepals, eight stamens and a trilocular ovary with a
glandular semi-disc at the base.
Uses: Crushed guarana seed as a beverage and a medicine. Besides
its refreshing and nutritive value, guarana is said to treat diarrhea,
decrease fatigue, reduce hunger and help arthritis.
