Guayusa – dried Ilex guayusa leaves for infusions

Guayusa – yerba mate’s energising cousin

Ilex guayusa originates in the Amazonian forests of Ecuador and Peru. It belongs to the holly family and is a close relative of yerba mate. Guayusa leaves are used to make infusions with wonderful qualities, not just in terms of flavour and aroma. Like yerba mate, guayusa contains caffeine, which has an energising effect. It stimulates the nervous system, improves concentration and gives you energy to get things done. Guayusa leaves contain an average of as much as 3-4% pure caffeine, making this plant one of the best natural stimulants!

How does Ilex guayusa work?

There’s more to it than an energy boost. Some sources say that guayusa is rich in L-theanine, which affects the brain’s alpha waves, helping to improve mental performance and concentration. The theobromine it contains makes the caffeine boost gentler and more balanced than coffee. Ilex guayusa also contains a range of vitamins and minerals and has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help fight free radicals, which contribute, among other things, to faster cell ageing. Guayusa for weight loss? Absolutely! The infusion stimulates the body’s metabolic processes, making it a valuable aid for anyone hoping to lose excess weight.

What does guayusa taste like? How do you drink it?

Guayusa offers more than a natural energy boost. Fans of infusions will also appreciate its excellent flavour. The dried leaves are low in tannins, giving an infusion made from Ilex guayusa a wonderfully mild, balanced flavour and aroma with a lovely natural note. Guayusa tastes a little like herbal nettle tea. Its subtle character makes it a great match for other herbs and yerba mate. It also works well with fruit juices. How do you drink guayusa? It’s quick and easy to prepare. Simply add 2-3 teaspoons of dried leaves to a mug or yerba mate gourd, pour over boiling water and leave for a few minutes for the leaves to steep. A bombilla is handy for drinking, as it separates the infusion from the leaves; if you don’t have one, a regular tea infuser will do. You can also add more hot water for a second infusion, although it will be much weaker in flavour and effect.

Herbal tea of the Indigenous peoples – the mystery of guayusa

For several centuries, guayusa was a closely guarded secret among the Indigenous tribes of the Amazon. For the Jiwaro and Kichwa peoples, guayusa has always played an important role in tribal rituals. Its energy boost and support for mental performance proved invaluable during hunts, all-day treks and wars. The Indigenous peoples valued the plant not only for its energising and health-promoting effects. They believed that guayusa infusion could help bring about lucid dreams, which they used to predict the future.

Ilex guayusa available from MateMundo!

Pachamama is the first brand in Poland to offer organic guayusa. It is produced by a certified family business in Napo Province, Ecuador. All the plants grow there in accordance with organic farming principles. No pesticides or artificial crop-protection products are used. When harvest time comes, the juicy, mature leaves are picked and sorted by hand. Only the healthiest make it into the packets. The leaves are dried using hot air, which helps guayusa retain its chemical composition and energising, health-promoting properties. You can buy guayusa online from our shop. Guayusa Pachamama is available from MateMundo in a few varieties – classic and with natural additions. Take a look below, choose one and start your energising guayusa adventure today!