guayusa
Ilex guayusa · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (10 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Guausa, scientifically known as Ilex guayusa, is a highly revered medicinal plant native to the Amazon rainforest. Traditionally consumed as a stimulating tea, it is celebrated for its antioxidant properties and ability to enhance mental clarity. This potent botanical serves as a vital cultural cornerstone for many indigenous communities.
- Family
- Aquifoliaceae
- Native range
- Southern America
- Parts used
- Not available
- Common names
- Guayusa
- Scientific synonyms
- Ilex Utilis
Names
Common Names
- guayusa
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- huayusa
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Ilex guayusaSynonyms
- Ilex utilis
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Aquifoliales, falling into the family Aquifoliaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Ilex.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Aquifoliales | WCVP |
| Family | Aquifoliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ilex | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of Northern and Western South America. In the northern region, it can be found growing within the borders of Venezuela. Its range extends into Western South America, where it is commonly located in Colombia and Ecuador. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed throughout the territories of Peru. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant also includes the nation of Bolivia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern South America | Venezuela | WCVP |
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Ecuador | WCVP |
| Western South America | Peru | WCVP |
Chemicals
Ilex guayusa has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Terpenes, caffeine.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Terpenes | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Terpenes
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
caffeine
- Ciba Foundation symposium
Activities
Ilex guayusa has 5 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Phytohormonal, Psychoactive.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phytohormonal | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Psychoactive | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ilex guayusa has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetes mellitus, hyperphagia, polydipsia.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| diabetes mellitus | Diabetes research (Edinburgh, Scotland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperphagia | Diabetes research (Edinburgh, Scotland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polydipsia | Diabetes research (Edinburgh, Scotland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| aqueous extracts | Food chemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stimulants | Ciba Foundation symposium (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |