Identity & origin
BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
This entry concerns seeds. The uses described depend on the preparation.
Also known as: Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis
Check the scientific name and the part used; a photograph is not sufficient for foraging plants intended for consumption.
An illustration is not enough to identify a plant for consumption. Do not forage for a species based solely on this profile.
Uses & evidence
UNDERSTANDING THE USES
Properties & uses.
Temporary fatigue
Traditional use of the powder; contains caffeine, with no promise of a lasting increase in energy.
Use considered plausible in a traditional-use monograph. That status alone does not demonstrate clinical efficacy.
Read the sourceThe traditional uses described are not clinical proof of effectiveness. Evidence for one preparation cannot automatically be applied to another.
Precautions before use
BEFORE ANY USE
Precautions & contraindications.
This guidance does not cover every individual situation. Missing information is not a guarantee of safety.
Contraindications & precautions
- Source-listed contraindicationKnown allergy to the preparation.Source
- Source-listed contraindicationGastric/duodenal ulcer, cardiovascular disease including hypertension/arrhythmia, hyperthyroidism.Source
- PrecautionAvoid near bedtime; account for other caffeine sources.Source
Medicine interactions
- Possible interactionCaution with MAO inhibitors; caffeine may reduce sedation and increase sympathomimetic adverse effects.Source
“Reported” does not prove causality; “possible” may reflect indirect evidence. “None reported” means none in the cited source, not that all combinations have been studied. Do not stop a prescribed treatment based on this profile.
Adverse effects
- Nervousness, insomnia, increased heart rate or digestive problems are possible.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
ANSES contraindicates food supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding (caffeine and missing data). EMA also advises against medicinal use.
SourceChildren & adolescents
Not recommended below 18 because evidence is insufficient.
SourceIf symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
Forms & how they are used
DOCUMENTED FORMS
One plant, several preparations.
Only forms documented in this profile’s sources are presented.
Powder in a solid preparationSeeds · Route: oral
Dried and powdered seeds.
Please note: Add up caffeine from drinks, medicines and supplements.
Read the sourceUnderstanding the plant’s actions
EXPLORE THE EVIDENCE
How does the plant act?
Guarana is documented through the seed, particularly in powder form. Its traditional use concerns fatigue and a feeling of weakness. The presence of caffeine is essential to understanding both its effects and its precautions; it does not prove treatment of the cause of fatigue or a lasting improvement in performance. Energy drinks and supplement mixtures are not automatically comparable to the herbal preparation assessed.
Constituents to know.
Their presence and quantity depend on the plant part and preparation.
- Caffeine
- The seed supplies caffeine. Other intake from coffee, tea, energy drinks or medicines must be taken into account to understand total exposure.Read the reference
Fatigue and weakness
European recognition is based on traditional symptomatic use. It does not mean demonstrated efficacy for prolonged exhaustion or an underlying disease.
Use considered plausible in a traditional-use monograph. That status alone does not demonstrate clinical efficacy.
Read the referenceStimulant adverse effects
Caffeine may contribute to palpitations. This possibility is part of the precautions for people with certain cardiovascular disorders.
This entry describes a risk or interaction, not a beneficial property.
Read the referenceWhat this means for preparation.
Read a product's full composition: combining several sources of caffeine may change its tolerability. Its “plant” form does not make this intake invisible or negligible.
Studies, findings & limitations
THE RESEARCH
What the research shows.
A laboratory or animal result alone does not demonstrate a benefit in humans. Each result must be read alongside the preparation studied and its limitations.
Safety monitoring complements trials
This entry describes a risk or interaction, not a beneficial property.
- Type of research
- Periodic EMA review including adverse effect reports.
- Preparation concerned
- Products containing guarana; their composition and other exposures may vary.
- Observed results
- The addendum notes six reports of palpitations, considered possibly related to caffeine and consistent with known precautions.
- Limitations to consider
- Spontaneous reports do not individually prove causality and do not indicate the frequency of the risk in the population.
What can we take from this?
The alertness signal does not justify prescribing a stimulant for unexplained fatigue. No additional mechanism or benefit is attributed to an extract without data specific to its formulation.
Documentary review dated 09/10/2026. The references remain available to check the context.
Sources & last review
CHECKING REFERENCES
Sources for this profile.
- EMA — Paulliniae semen: assessment and documentsAccessed on 09/10/2026
- ANSES — summary of precautions for food supplements (June 2023)Accessed on 09/10/2026
- EMA — addendum to the assessment report on Paullinia cupana, seedsAccessed on 09/10/2026
- EMA — réévaluation documentaire de la préparationAccessed on 09/10/2026
Image: Conrado Pável de Oliveira · CC BY 4.0. View the original image and its licence. Image resized and converted to WebP.
