A creeping shrub often grows to 12 m high. Leaves are alternate with five folioles and, when tendrils exist, they are axillary. 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. The fruit is small, round, bright-red in color, and grows in clusters.

Analgesic , antibacterial, antioxidant, hyperglycemic, memory enhancer, nervine (balances/calms nerves), neurasthenic, platelet aggregation inhibitor (to prevent clogged arteries), stimulant, vasodilator.

Tropical Plant Database
Herb Information
King's American Dispensatory

Adenine, caffeine, choline, d-catechin, tannin, theobromine, theophylline, xanthine (seed)

Arthritis, diarrhea, hangover, headache, migraine, suppressed menstruation, hypertension, fever, migraine, neuralgia, and dysentery.

Not to be used during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. Guaraná contains caffeine and should not be used by those who are sensitive or allergic to caffeine or xanthines.

Benoni H. Dallakian P. Taraz K. Studies on the essential oil from guarana. Z Lebensm Unters Forsch1996 Jul;203(1):95-8.