Guayusa tea is brewed from the leaves of the Ilex guayusa. This tree from the Amazon, especially Peru and Ecuador belongs to the holly genus and has similar health properties to Yerba Mate tea. It actually appears similar to chocolate – it contains theobromine too.
The Amazonian Jivaro Indians and Kichwa peoples of Ecuador have drunk decoctions of guayusa as a morning ‘coffee’ because it has a very high caffeine content (Lewis et al., 1991). In the Jivaro tribe, the males ritualistically induce vomiting that reduces excess caffeine levels in the blood and minimises the conversion of dimethylxanthines to compounds which upset the nervous system.
High L-theanine levels in Guayusa put it on a par with matcha and green tea. Theanine is associated with relaxation and reducing anxiety. There are unpublished reviews that discuss its use in product development as a sports drink (Sansome-Smith, 2011, 2012), particularly as an alternative to other caffeine/L-theanine based drinks.
The benefits of treating diabetes using guayusa were first identified in rat models over 25 years ago. One study at the University of Surry showed that along with mushroom, concoctions of guayusa caused hyperglycaemia to be slowed down in streptozotocin- induced diabetes in rats along with a reduction in hyperphagia and loss in body weight associated with the condition (Swantson-Flatt et al., 1989). There are no clinical trials available in humans yet which would help support claims.
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Runa offer guayusa based canned drinks and the tea is available from DavidsTea and Stash.
Reference
Lewis, W. H., Kennelly, E. J., Bass, G. N., Wedner, H. J., & Elvin-Lewis, M. P. (1991). Ritualistic use of the holly Ilex guayusa by Amazonian Jivaro Indians. J. Ethnopharmacology, 33(1), pp. 25-30.
Sansome-Smith, A.W. (2011). Review Of Natural Plant Ingredients For Sports Products. Unpublished business report – FoodWrite Ltd. Completed October 9th.
________________(2012) White Paper. Alternative Caffeine Sources For Product Development – FoodWrite Ltd. Completed March 28th, 2012.
Swanston-Flatt, S.K., Day, C., Flatt, P.R., Gould, B.J., Bailey, C.J. (1989) Glycemic effects of traditional European plant treatments for diabetes. Studies in normal and streptozotocin diabetic mice. Diabetes Research 10 (2), pp. 69-73.
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