Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageToxicityInteractionsHow to StoreSimilar SupplementsFrequently Asked QuestionsSources & What to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Toxicity
Interactions
How to Store
Similar Supplements
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & What to Look For
Guayusatea is a caffeinated herbal beverage that increases energy and alertness. Guayusa is also rich in antioxidants, which may help decrease inflammation.
As with any caffeinated beverage, drinking too much guayusa tea may cause side effects, such as anxiety, dehydration, headaches, and dizziness.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
Uses of Guayusa
Some health benefits of guayusa tea include alertness and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Alertness
The stimulating effect of guayusa tea that contributes to alertness is due to its caffeine content. Furthermore, the caffeine content of guayusa tea is similar to that ofgreenandblack tea.
Researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind clinical trial of guayusa leaf extract. It contained 12 subjects assigned male at birth, 21–34 years old. Compared with the green coffee extract and synthetic caffeine, guayusa leaf extract was less stimulating toepinephrinerelease. Further studies are necessary to determine the effect of each caffeine source’s different dosages.
Antioxidant Activity
Antioxidants are compounds that help prevent cell damage from oxidation in the body. Anin vitro(test-tube) studyhas shown that guayusa tea extracts protected cells.However, human clinical trials are necessary to confirm the antioxidant activity of guayusa.
Other antioxidants found in the leaves of guayusa include catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid, and neochlorogenic acid.
Anti-Inflammatory Activity
NO is responsible for widening small blood vessels. This increases the entry of pro-inflammatory substances into body tissues.Additionally, large amounts of NO can react with oxygen to form highly reactive and destructive nitrogen species (e.g., peroxynitrite), which act as damaging free radicals.
Researchers conducted anin vitro(test-tube) studyusing amacrophagecell line from mice. An extract of guayusa scavenged NO and reduced its production.Because this was a test-tube study of an animal cell line, whether the results can apply to humans is unclear. Further clinical trials conducted in humans are necessary to confirm guayusa’s anti-inflammatory activity.
Free Radicals: Definition, Cause, and Role in Cancer
What Are the Side Effects of Guayusa?
Your provider may suggest guayusa for certain reasons. However, consuming an herb like guayusa may have potential side effects. These side effects may be common or severe.
Researchers who investigated guayusa reported that it seems to have no greater risk to human health than existing teas, such as green tea oryerba mate.
Common Side Effects
Because guayusa tea contains caffeine, consuming too much caffeine can cause the following:
Though green tea is known to contain L-theanine, whether or not guayusa tea contains L-theanine remains unclear due to the conflicting reports of several studies.Further research is necessary to establish a scientific basis for the broad health claims regarding the presence of L-theanine in guayusa.
Can Drinking Tea Help You Stay Hydrated?
Severe Side Effects
One study analyzing the safety of guayusa consumption in Ecuador revealed the following:
Because guayusa tea contains caffeine, anyone drinking it should exercise caution in the following cases:
Please check with your pharmacist or healthcare provider if there are any interactions between caffeine and the medications and supplements you take.
Dosage: How Much Guayusa Should I Take?
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
The dosage of guayusa as a dietary supplement is unclear due to the lack of clinical trials evaluating guayusa in supplement form.
However, the caffeine concentration was reported to be 19.08 ± 0.31 milligrams (mg) per 1 gram (g) of fresh guayusa leaves.This means that 2 g or 1 teaspoon (tsp) of guayusa tea leaves would yield about 38 mg of caffeine.
Supplement Facts
What Happens if I Take Too Much Guayusa?
Though research hasn’t noted any severe side effects of guayusa consumption, consuming too much guayusa can cause hyperactivity and difficulty sleeping.This is mainly due to its caffeine content.
For healthy adults, moderate chronic intakes of caffeine up to 400 mg per day are not associated with side effects on heart health.
However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant people restrict their caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day.
Studies have not established safe levels of caffeine consumption in children and adolescents.
Regular teas can taste bitter because they contain tannins, which can blockironabsorption.On the other hand, though guayusa does not have a bitter taste, it does contain tannins.Guayusa tannins may interfere with iron absorption.
The caffeine in guayusa may impact other medications or supplements (for example, other stimulants, certain antibiotics, asthma medications, and heart medications).
Carefully reading a supplement’s ingredient list and nutrition facts panel is essential to know which ingredients are in it and how much of each. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
How to Store Guayusa
Guayusa supplements should be stored in a cool and dry place. Discard as indicated on the packaging.
Store the dried guayusa leaves in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Discard as indicated on the packaging.
Like guayusa, kudingcha, yerba mate, and yaupon holly are derived from the holly tree.Unlike other holly-based and regular teas, including black, green, white, and oolong teas, guayusa tea does not taste bitter.
Because guayusa and the teas listed above all contain caffeine, you should not exceed 400 mg of caffeine per day.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYerba mate, also known asIlex paraguariensis, is similar toIlex guayusain that it is a holly tree native to the subtropical regions of South America.Leaves from both plants can make teas often consumed as a coffee alternative. A key difference between guayusa and yerba mate is the flavor. Unlike yerba mate, which tastes somewhat bitter, guayusa is smooth, earthy, and slightly sweet.Theamino acidprofiles of yerba mate and guayusa also differ. Guayusa has relatively higher levels of alanine, glutamine, and tryptophan but not glutamic acid and aspartic acid, as in the case of yerba mate.According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an 8-ounce cup of green or black tea contains 30–50 mg of caffeine, and an 8-ounce cup of coffee contains 80–100 mg of caffeine.An 8-ounce cup of guayusa tea using 2 g or 1 tsp of dried guayusa tea leaves yields close to about 40 mg of caffeine.Various natural products can give you an energy lift similar to guayusa. Consider sipping classic teas such as black tea, green tea, white tea, and oolong tea.Besides guayusa, otherIlex-based caffeinated beverages include kudingcha (Ilex latifoliaandIlex kudingcha), yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), and yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria).Please talk with your healthcare provider if you’re consistently tired and using guayasa or other caffeine products to get through the day. Persistent energy issues could be related to anything fromthyroid conditionstosleep apneatoiron deficiency. It’s wise to treat the root cause in these situations because they can have long-term effects on your health if left untreated.
Yerba mate, also known asIlex paraguariensis, is similar toIlex guayusain that it is a holly tree native to the subtropical regions of South America.Leaves from both plants can make teas often consumed as a coffee alternative. A key difference between guayusa and yerba mate is the flavor. Unlike yerba mate, which tastes somewhat bitter, guayusa is smooth, earthy, and slightly sweet.Theamino acidprofiles of yerba mate and guayusa also differ. Guayusa has relatively higher levels of alanine, glutamine, and tryptophan but not glutamic acid and aspartic acid, as in the case of yerba mate.
Yerba mate, also known asIlex paraguariensis, is similar toIlex guayusain that it is a holly tree native to the subtropical regions of South America.Leaves from both plants can make teas often consumed as a coffee alternative. A key difference between guayusa and yerba mate is the flavor. Unlike yerba mate, which tastes somewhat bitter, guayusa is smooth, earthy, and slightly sweet.
Theamino acidprofiles of yerba mate and guayusa also differ. Guayusa has relatively higher levels of alanine, glutamine, and tryptophan but not glutamic acid and aspartic acid, as in the case of yerba mate.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an 8-ounce cup of green or black tea contains 30–50 mg of caffeine, and an 8-ounce cup of coffee contains 80–100 mg of caffeine.An 8-ounce cup of guayusa tea using 2 g or 1 tsp of dried guayusa tea leaves yields close to about 40 mg of caffeine.
Various natural products can give you an energy lift similar to guayusa. Consider sipping classic teas such as black tea, green tea, white tea, and oolong tea.Besides guayusa, otherIlex-based caffeinated beverages include kudingcha (Ilex latifoliaandIlex kudingcha), yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), and yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria).Please talk with your healthcare provider if you’re consistently tired and using guayasa or other caffeine products to get through the day. Persistent energy issues could be related to anything fromthyroid conditionstosleep apneatoiron deficiency. It’s wise to treat the root cause in these situations because they can have long-term effects on your health if left untreated.
Various natural products can give you an energy lift similar to guayusa. Consider sipping classic teas such as black tea, green tea, white tea, and oolong tea.Besides guayusa, otherIlex-based caffeinated beverages include kudingcha (Ilex latifoliaandIlex kudingcha), yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), and yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria).
Please talk with your healthcare provider if you’re consistently tired and using guayasa or other caffeine products to get through the day. Persistent energy issues could be related to anything fromthyroid conditionstosleep apneatoiron deficiency. It’s wise to treat the root cause in these situations because they can have long-term effects on your health if left untreated.
Sources of Guayusa and What to Look For
Although guayusa tea is available as tea bags and powder, you are more likely to find guayusa in loose-leaf form.
Guayusa Supplements
Guayusa is most commonly available in tea form but is also available as a loose-leaf extract capsule. Please consult with your healthcare provider before starting a guayusa extract supplement.
Summary
Guayusa tea is a caffeine-containing holly tree from the Amazon rainforests that can serve as a coffee alternative. Alertness, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties are some of the possible health benefits of guayusa tea. Though guayusa tea presents no greater risk to consumers than green tea or yerba mate, it can cause restlessness and difficulty sleeping due to its caffeine content.
Please talk with your healthcare provider if you’re consistently tired and using guayusa or other caffeine products to get through the day. Persistent energy issues could be related to anything fromthyroid conditionstosleep apneatoiron deficiency. It’s wise to treat the root cause in these situations because if left untreated, they can have long term effects on your health.
Use caffeine cautiously if you are pregnant and breastfeeding, are a child or adolescent, suffer from sleep disorders, chronic headaches, anxiety, irregular heart rate, or high blood pressure, or take certain medications or supplements.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pardau MD, Pereira ASP, Apostolides Z, et al.Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Ilex guayusa tea preparations: a comparison toCamellia sinensisteas.Food Funct. 2017;8(12):4601-4610. doi:10.1039/c7fo01067bKrieger DR, Kalman DS, Feldman S, et al.The safety, pharmacokinetics, and nervous system effects of two natural sources of caffeine in healthy adult males.Clin Transl Sci. 2016;9(5):246-251. doi:10.1111/cts.12403Gan RY, Zhang D, Wang M, Corke H.Health benefits of bioactive compounds from the genusIlex, a source of traditional caffeinated beverages.Nutrients. 2018;10(11): 1682. doi:10.3390/nu10111682Wise G, Negrin A.A critical review of the composition and history of safe use of guayusa: a stimulant and antioxidant novel food.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2020;60(14):2393-2404. doi:10.1080/10408398.2019.1643286MedlinePlus.Caffeine.American Botanical Council.Guayusa.Temple JL, Bernard C, Lipshultz SE, et al.The safety of ingested caffeine: a comprehensive review.Front Psychiatry. 2017;8:80. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00080Delimont NM, Haub MD, Lindshield BL.The impact of tannin consumption on iron bioavailability and status: a narrative review.Curr Dev Nutr. 2017;1(2):1-12. Published 2017 Jan 19. doi:10.3945/cdn.116.000042Palomo Nicolau C, Badiola E, Etxabe J, et al.α’-Oxy enones for construction of all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers: azlactones as pronucleophiles.Proceedings of MOL2NET 2016, International Conference on Multidisciplinary Sciences, 2nd edition. 2016. doi:10.3390/mol2net-02-h001U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Spilling the beans: How much caffeine is too much?Additional ReadingGarcía-Ruiz A, Baenas N, Benítez-González A, et al.Guayusa (Ilex guayusa L.) new tea: phenolic and carotenoid composition and antioxidant capacity.J Sci Food Agric. 2017;97(12):3929-3936. doi:10.1002/jsfa.8255Kapp RW, Mendes O, Roy S, Mcquate RS, Kraska R.General and Genetic Toxicology of Guayusa Concentrate (Ilex guayusa).Int J Toxicol.2016;35(2):222-42. doi:10.1177%2F1091581815625594
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pardau MD, Pereira ASP, Apostolides Z, et al.Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Ilex guayusa tea preparations: a comparison toCamellia sinensisteas.Food Funct. 2017;8(12):4601-4610. doi:10.1039/c7fo01067bKrieger DR, Kalman DS, Feldman S, et al.The safety, pharmacokinetics, and nervous system effects of two natural sources of caffeine in healthy adult males.Clin Transl Sci. 2016;9(5):246-251. doi:10.1111/cts.12403Gan RY, Zhang D, Wang M, Corke H.Health benefits of bioactive compounds from the genusIlex, a source of traditional caffeinated beverages.Nutrients. 2018;10(11): 1682. doi:10.3390/nu10111682Wise G, Negrin A.A critical review of the composition and history of safe use of guayusa: a stimulant and antioxidant novel food.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2020;60(14):2393-2404. doi:10.1080/10408398.2019.1643286MedlinePlus.Caffeine.American Botanical Council.Guayusa.Temple JL, Bernard C, Lipshultz SE, et al.The safety of ingested caffeine: a comprehensive review.Front Psychiatry. 2017;8:80. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00080Delimont NM, Haub MD, Lindshield BL.The impact of tannin consumption on iron bioavailability and status: a narrative review.Curr Dev Nutr. 2017;1(2):1-12. Published 2017 Jan 19. doi:10.3945/cdn.116.000042Palomo Nicolau C, Badiola E, Etxabe J, et al.α’-Oxy enones for construction of all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers: azlactones as pronucleophiles.Proceedings of MOL2NET 2016, International Conference on Multidisciplinary Sciences, 2nd edition. 2016. doi:10.3390/mol2net-02-h001U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Spilling the beans: How much caffeine is too much?Additional ReadingGarcía-Ruiz A, Baenas N, Benítez-González A, et al.Guayusa (Ilex guayusa L.) new tea: phenolic and carotenoid composition and antioxidant capacity.J Sci Food Agric. 2017;97(12):3929-3936. doi:10.1002/jsfa.8255Kapp RW, Mendes O, Roy S, Mcquate RS, Kraska R.General and Genetic Toxicology of Guayusa Concentrate (Ilex guayusa).Int J Toxicol.2016;35(2):222-42. doi:10.1177%2F1091581815625594
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pardau MD, Pereira ASP, Apostolides Z, et al.Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Ilex guayusa tea preparations: a comparison toCamellia sinensisteas.Food Funct. 2017;8(12):4601-4610. doi:10.1039/c7fo01067bKrieger DR, Kalman DS, Feldman S, et al.The safety, pharmacokinetics, and nervous system effects of two natural sources of caffeine in healthy adult males.Clin Transl Sci. 2016;9(5):246-251. doi:10.1111/cts.12403Gan RY, Zhang D, Wang M, Corke H.Health benefits of bioactive compounds from the genusIlex, a source of traditional caffeinated beverages.Nutrients. 2018;10(11): 1682. doi:10.3390/nu10111682Wise G, Negrin A.A critical review of the composition and history of safe use of guayusa: a stimulant and antioxidant novel food.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2020;60(14):2393-2404. doi:10.1080/10408398.2019.1643286MedlinePlus.Caffeine.American Botanical Council.Guayusa.Temple JL, Bernard C, Lipshultz SE, et al.The safety of ingested caffeine: a comprehensive review.Front Psychiatry. 2017;8:80. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00080Delimont NM, Haub MD, Lindshield BL.The impact of tannin consumption on iron bioavailability and status: a narrative review.Curr Dev Nutr. 2017;1(2):1-12. Published 2017 Jan 19. doi:10.3945/cdn.116.000042Palomo Nicolau C, Badiola E, Etxabe J, et al.α’-Oxy enones for construction of all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers: azlactones as pronucleophiles.Proceedings of MOL2NET 2016, International Conference on Multidisciplinary Sciences, 2nd edition. 2016. doi:10.3390/mol2net-02-h001U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Spilling the beans: How much caffeine is too much?
Pardau MD, Pereira ASP, Apostolides Z, et al.Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Ilex guayusa tea preparations: a comparison toCamellia sinensisteas.Food Funct. 2017;8(12):4601-4610. doi:10.1039/c7fo01067b
Krieger DR, Kalman DS, Feldman S, et al.The safety, pharmacokinetics, and nervous system effects of two natural sources of caffeine in healthy adult males.Clin Transl Sci. 2016;9(5):246-251. doi:10.1111/cts.12403
Gan RY, Zhang D, Wang M, Corke H.Health benefits of bioactive compounds from the genusIlex, a source of traditional caffeinated beverages.Nutrients. 2018;10(11): 1682. doi:10.3390/nu10111682
Wise G, Negrin A.A critical review of the composition and history of safe use of guayusa: a stimulant and antioxidant novel food.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2020;60(14):2393-2404. doi:10.1080/10408398.2019.1643286
MedlinePlus.Caffeine.
American Botanical Council.Guayusa.
Temple JL, Bernard C, Lipshultz SE, et al.The safety of ingested caffeine: a comprehensive review.Front Psychiatry. 2017;8:80. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00080
Delimont NM, Haub MD, Lindshield BL.The impact of tannin consumption on iron bioavailability and status: a narrative review.Curr Dev Nutr. 2017;1(2):1-12. Published 2017 Jan 19. doi:10.3945/cdn.116.000042
Palomo Nicolau C, Badiola E, Etxabe J, et al.α’-Oxy enones for construction of all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers: azlactones as pronucleophiles.Proceedings of MOL2NET 2016, International Conference on Multidisciplinary Sciences, 2nd edition. 2016. doi:10.3390/mol2net-02-h001
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Spilling the beans: How much caffeine is too much?
García-Ruiz A, Baenas N, Benítez-González A, et al.Guayusa (Ilex guayusa L.) new tea: phenolic and carotenoid composition and antioxidant capacity.J Sci Food Agric. 2017;97(12):3929-3936. doi:10.1002/jsfa.8255Kapp RW, Mendes O, Roy S, Mcquate RS, Kraska R.General and Genetic Toxicology of Guayusa Concentrate (Ilex guayusa).Int J Toxicol.2016;35(2):222-42. doi:10.1177%2F1091581815625594
García-Ruiz A, Baenas N, Benítez-González A, et al.Guayusa (Ilex guayusa L.) new tea: phenolic and carotenoid composition and antioxidant capacity.J Sci Food Agric. 2017;97(12):3929-3936. doi:10.1002/jsfa.8255
Kapp RW, Mendes O, Roy S, Mcquate RS, Kraska R.General and Genetic Toxicology of Guayusa Concentrate (Ilex guayusa).Int J Toxicol.2016;35(2):222-42. doi:10.1177%2F1091581815625594
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