Ilex guayusa Loes.

AQUIFOLIACEAE

Narel Y. Paniagua-Zambrana, Rainer W. Bussmann, and

Carolina Romero

Local Names

Colombia: Aguayusa, Guañusa, Guayusa, Guayusa de páramo, Huayusa, Wayusa;

Ecuador: Guayusa (Spanish); Wayusa, Wayusa panka (Kichwa), Waís (Shuar
chicham), Guayusa, Guayusa del monte (Spanish) (de la Torre et al. 2008); Peru:
Guayusa, Agracejo, Citrodora (Spanish)

Botany and Ecology

Trees, 10–20 m tall. Flowers often perfect, with persisting 4–5-parted calyx and
rotate 4 rarely 5–6-parted corolla, the petals or lobes imbricate in bud, ovate to
suborbicular or elliptic, rounded or very obtuse. Anthers ovoid or ellipsoid. Ovary
2–4–6(7–22) celled. Drupes globose or ellipsoid with 3–4 (or rarely many) pyrenes
(Macbride and Weberbauer 1936–1995) (Fig. 1).

N. Y. Paniagua-Zambrana
Herbario Nacionál de Bolivia, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz,
Bolivia
Saving Knowledge, La Paz, Bolivia
e-mail: nyaroslava@yahoo.es
R. W. Bussmann (*)
Saving Knowledge, La Paz, Bolivia
Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany and Bakuriani Alpine Botanical Garden, Ilia State
University, Tbilisi, Georgia
e-mail: rainer.bussmann@iliauni.edu.ge; rbussmann@gmail.com
C. Romero
William L. Brown Center, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO, USA
e-mail: carolina.romero@mobot.org; romero.carito@gmail.com

© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020 1

N. Y. Paniagua-Zambrana, R. W. Bussmann (eds.), Ethnobotany of the Andes,
Ethnobotany of Mountain Regions, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77093-2_147-1
2 N. Y. Paniagua-Zambrana et al.

Fig. 1 Ilex sp.

(Aquifoliaceae), Laguna
Huayllabamba, San Martin,
Peru. (Photo: R.W. Bussmann
and Narel Y. Paniagua-
Zambrana)

Local Medicinal Uses

In Colombia, the leaves are used in decoction as a stimulant, narcotic, hypnotic, as a

general tonic, against excessive sweating, as a diuretic and in the treatment of
headaches and flu. The Indians of the upper Putumayo and the populations from
Sibundoy to Mocoa have used Guayusa leaves after being dried in decoction or
infusion as a stimulant (and at the same time as “saving food”), because when
drinking this beverage in the morning, they do not feel hungry until noon. It is
also used as a nervous and muscular stimulant, as a digestive and expectorant. The
leaves are also used to treat diabetes (García Barriga 1975; Ministerio de Protección
Social 2008). Ecuador: The whole fresh plant used to treat anemia and as diuretic
(Béjar et al. 2002; Bussmann and Sharon 2006a, 2007a). The infusion of the leaves
is taken to keep the stomach clean and treat indigestion (unspecified ethnicity-
Azuay). The infusion is taken by pregnant women and serves to fertilize women
who cannot have children (Mestiza-Pichincha). The infusion of the leaves stops
diarrhea in children (Kichwa de la Sierra-Loja). The leaves, in infusion and in steam
baths, are used as a brain tonic and to treat abdominal pain before and after
childbirth, in addition to the flu, fever, rheumatism, body aches and headaches
(Kichwa of the East-Napo, Sucumbíos, Others (Ecuadorian Amazon Region that
borders the Border of Colombia and Peru)). It is used to mitigate depression, to
stimulate the functioning of the stomach and to treat snake bites (Kichwa of the East-
Napo, Sucumbíos). The decoction of the leaves relieves the discomfort of the body
(Sequoia-Succumbios). The infusion of the leaves is drunk to treat abortion and colic
(Tsa’chi-Pichincha). The leaves, in infusion, are used to treat arthritis and to lower
fever (unspecified ethnic group – Chimborazo, Azuay). The infusion of the leaves
fights the hangover, stress, and conditions of the kidneys (unspecified ethnic group –
Imbabura). The leaves, in infusion, are used by women before and after childbirth,
they are also useful for treating influenza, rheumatism, body aches, and as a brain
Ilex guayusa Loes. 3

tonic (Unspecified ethnic group – Napo). The leaves, boiled in water, are emetic so
they relieve stomach disorders (Shuar-Napo, Pastaza). Leaf tea is used to treat
headache, stomachache, dizziness, and malaise in general (Shuar-Napo, Orellana,
Others (Ecuadorian Amazon region that borders the border of Colombia and Peru).
The bark and leaves are used to treat arthritis and rheumatism (Shuar-Orellana) (de la
Torre et al. 2008). Peru: Dried leaves are used to treat diabetes and intoxication of
the blood (Bussmann and Sharon 2006b, 2007b, 2015a, b). In markets, but not very
common (Bussmann et al. 2007). Guayusa has antibacterial properties (Bussmann
et al. 2008, 2010a, b, 2011a, b, c).

Local Food Uses

Ecuador: The leaves are used to prepare aromatic waters, refreshing and party
drinks, with alcohol (Cofán-Sucumbíos; Kichwa del Oriente-Napo, Orellana;
Shuar-Napo; Mestizo-Pichincha; unspecified ethnicity – Pichincha). It is used in
the preparation of jugs with spirits (unspecified ethnic group – Chimborazo) (de la
Torre et al. 2008).

Local Handicraft and Other Uses

Ecuador: The infusion of the leaves is used as a mouthwash (East Kichwa-Napo).

The leaves are used in steam baths (Tsa’chi-Pichincha) (de la Torre et al. 2008). The
infusion of the bark and especially of the leaves (because they are rich in caffeine) is
a stimulating or toning drink that makes tiredness and sleep disappear (Kichwa from
the East-Napo, Orellana, Sucumbíos; Shuar-Pastaza, Others (Ecuadorian Amazon
that borders Colombia and Peru); unspecified ethnic group – Napo, Orellana, others
(tropical and subtropical Region of Ecuador)). The infusion of the leaves is taken to
purify the body (Kichwa of the East-Sucumbios). The leaves, in infusion, can be
added to ayahuasca (hallucinogenic drink prepared based on Banisteriopsis caapi),
in order to reduce its flavor, as well as possible hangover after drinking it (Kichwa
del Oriente-Napo; Shuar-Morona Santiago), others (Amazon Region Ecuadorian
that borders the border of Colombia and Peru) (de la Torre et al. 2008). Used against
sorcery (Béjar et al. 2002; Bussmann and Sharon 2006a, 2007a).

References
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Medicinales del Sur Ecuatoriano. San Diego: Latino Herbal Press; 2002. 340 p.
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Ethnomed. 2006a;2:44.
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healing culture. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2006b;2:47.
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longevidad – La flora medicinal de Vilcabamba. Honolulu: Arogya; 2007a. ISBN 978-0-
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