The Art of NATURE, The Art of SCIENCE
Common names | Guayusa
Scientific name | Ilex guayusa
Used part | Leaf
Known active compounds | caffeine, chlorogenic acid
Potential benefits in cosmetics | anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory
Product name | Guayusa-ANB
Plant Story
Guayusa (Ilex guayusa) is an evergreen tree native to the Amazonian rainforest. It is one of three caffeinated holly trees along with yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) and yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria). The leaves of guayusa is dried and used to make an infusion. Jivaroan people (indigenous people in northern Peru and eastern Ecuador) prepared guayusa drinks to cleanse the stomach as a daily ritual purification. It was also consumed in local festivals as a social drink. Medicinally, people in Peru used guayusa as a remedy to treat diabetes and to cleanse the body after giving birth in order to reduce post-partum bleeding.
The main compounds in guayusa leaves are caffeine, theobromine, guanidine, and phenolic compounds. The major constituents of phenolic compounds are chlorogenic acid and its derivatives. Others include catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epigallocatechin. The presence of triterpenoids, oleanolic and ursolic acid were also confirmed. The extracts of guayusa leaves showed free radical scavenging activities, which can be associated with the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. The aqueous extract of guayusa was reported to have anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting NO production.