Glossary
Technical terminology lexicon with botanical, chemical, and ethnobotanical terms
This glossary explains important botanical, chemical, and ethnobotanical technical terms related to Guayusa (Ilex guayusa Scientific name of the Guayusa plant. First described in 1901 by Theodor Loesener. Synonyms: Ilex guayusa var. macrophylla.Ilex guayusa
A
Achuar
Indigenous ethnic group in the Amazon region of Ecuador and Peru. The Achuar Indigenous ethnic group in the Amazon region of Ecuador and Peru. The Achuar traditionally use Guayusa as an emetic agent for ritual cleansing and to induce visions.Achuar
Adaptogen
Substance that helps the body adapt to stress and maintain homeostasis. Guayusa is considered a natural adaptogen Substance that helps the body adapt to stress and maintain homeostasis. Guayusa is considered a natural adaptogen due to its balanced combination of caffeine, L-theanine, and antioxidants. Purine alkaloid with stimulating effects on the central nervous system. Guayusa contains 1.7-7.6% caffeine (dry weight), depending on variety, location, and processing. Amino acid with relaxing effects found in Guayusa (0.02-0.05%) and green tea. Acts synergistically with caffeine and reduces nervousness. Substances that prevent oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Guayusa contains high amounts of polyphenols with antioxidant effects (ORAC value: 127–159 µmol TE/g).adaptogen
caffeine
L-theanine
antioxidants
Agroforestry
Land use system combining trees and shrubs with agricultural crops. Guayusa is traditionally cultivated in Chakra Kichwa term for traditional agroforestry systems in the Amazon region. Chakras are multi-layered forest gardens with 50-100 guayusa plants per hectare, combined with fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants. Land use system combining trees and shrubs with agricultural crops. Guayusa is traditionally cultivated in Chakra systems, a form of indigenous agroforestry.Chakra
agroforestry
Alkaloids
Nitrogen-containing organic compounds of plant origin with pharmacological effects. Guayusa contains the purine alkaloids Group of alkaloids with a purine base structure. Guayusa contains caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. Purine alkaloid with mild stimulating and vasodilating effects. Guayusa contains 0.4-0.7% theobromine (dry weight). Purine alkaloid with bronchodilatory effects. Detectable only in trace amounts in Guayusa.purine alkaloids
theobromine
theophylline
Antioxidants
Substances that prevent oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Guayusa contains high amounts of polyphenols Group of secondary plant metabolites with antioxidant effects. Guayusa contains 12-18% total polyphenols (dry weight), mainly chlorogenic acids and flavonoids. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity - method for measuring antioxidant capacity. Guayusa shows ORAC values of 127-159 µmol TE/g, comparable to green tea.polyphenols
ORAC
Aquifoliaceae
Botanical family of holly plants to which Ilex Botanical genus of hollies with about 400-600 species worldwide. This genus includes Ilex guayusa, Ilex paraguariensis (Mate), and Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon).Ilex
B
Bioactive Compounds
Chemical substances in plants with physiological effects on the human organism. Guayusa contains over 100 identified bioactive compounds Chemical substances in plants with physiological effects on the human organism. Guayusa contains over 100 identified bioactive compounds.bioactive compounds
C
Caffeine
Purine alkaloid with stimulating effects on the central nervous system. Guayusa contains 1.7-7.6% caffeine (dry weight), depending on variety, location, and processing.
Caffeoylquinic acids
Group of polyphenols formed by esterification of caffeic acid with quinic acid. Guayusa contains 3-caffeoylquinic acid (neochlorogenic acid), 4-caffeoylquinic acid, and 5-caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid).
Carotenoids
Fat-soluble plant pigments with antioxidant effects. Guayusa contains β-carotene (0.8-1.2 mg/100g), lutein Carotenoid with antioxidant effects and significance for eye health. Guayusa contains 5.2-7.8 mg/100g lutein.lutein
Chakra
Kichwa term for traditional agroforestry systems in the Amazon region. Chakras are multi-layered forest gardens with 50-100 guayusa plants per hectare, combined with fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants.
Chemometrics
Application of statistical (often multivariate) methods (e.g., PCA, HCA, PLS-DA) to chemical measurement data (HPLC High-Performance Liquid Chromatography - standard method for quantitative analysis of polyphenols and alkaloids in Guayusa. Typical method: C18 column, acetonitrile gradient, UV detection at 280 nm. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry - analytical method for identifying volatile compounds. Used for analyzing aroma substances in Guayusa.HPLC
GC-MS
Chlorogenic acid (5-CQA)
Main polyphenol compound in guayusa (3.5-5.2% dry weight). Exhibits antioxidant, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective properties.
D
Dioecious
Botanical term for plants with separate male and female individuals. Ilex guayusa is dioecious Botanical term for plants with separate male and female individuals. Ilex guayusa is dioecious, making flower formation extremely rare (first flowers documented after 77 years).dioecious
DPPH assay
Analytical method to measure antioxidant activity. Guayusa shows high DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀: 12-18 µg/ml).
E
Endemic
Biological term for species occurring only in a limited geographic area. Ilex guayusa is endemic Biological term for species occurring only in a limited geographic area. Ilex guayusa is endemic to the western Amazon basin (Ecuador, Peru, Colombia).endemic
Ethnobotany
Scientific discipline that studies the relationship between humans and plants. Guayusa is a classic example of the ethnobotanical knowledge of indigenous peoples.
F
Flavonoids
Group of polyphenols with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Guayusa contains quercetin Flavonoid with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Guayusa contains 0.8-1.2 mg/g quercetin (dry weight). Flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Guayusa contains 0.3-0.5 mg/g kaempferol (dry weight). Flavonoid glycoside (quercetin-3-rutinoside) with vasoprotective effects. Guayusa contains 0.5-0.8 mg/g rutin.quercetin
kaempferol
rutin
FRAP assay
Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power - method for measuring antioxidant capacity. Guayusa shows FRAP values of 180-220 µmol Fe²⁺/g.
G
GC-MS
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry - analytical method for identifying volatile compounds. Used for analyzing aroma substances in Guayusa.
Genotoxicity
Property of a substance to damage genetic material. Guayusa shows no genotoxic effects in the Ames test, micronucleus test, and chromosome aberration test.
GRAS status
Generally Recognized As Safe - safety status by the U.S. FDA. Guayusa extract received GRAS status Generally Recognized As Safe - safety status by the U.S. FDA. Guayusa extract received GRAS status in 2017 for use in beverages (up to 150 mg caffeine/serving).GRAS status
Guayusa Warmi
Kichwa term for "Guayusa woman" - female spirits or guardian goddesses associated with Guayusa plants. Part of Shuar mythology.
Guayusazo
Kichwa term for traditional Guayusa festivals where the community gathers, drinks Guayusa, tells stories, and shares dreams.
H
HPLC
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography - standard method for quantitative analysis of polyphenols and alkaloids Nitrogen-containing organic compounds of plant origin with pharmacological effects. Guayusa contains the purine alkaloids caffeine (1.7–7.6%), theobromine (0.4–0.7%), and theophylline (traces).alkaloids
Hydroxycinnamic acids
Group of polyphenols with antioxidant effects. Guayusa contains caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid.
I
Ilex
Botanical genus of hollies with about 400-600 species worldwide. This genus includes Ilex guayusa, Ilex paraguariensis (Mate), and Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon).
Ilex guayusa
Scientific name of the Guayusa plant. First described in 1901 by Theodor Loesener. Synonyms: Ilex guayusa var. macrophylla.
K
Kaempferol
Flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Guayusa contains 0.3-0.5 mg/g kaempferol (dry weight).
Kichwa (Quichua)
Indigenous ethnic group and language in the Ecuadorian Amazon region. The Kichwa are the main cultivators of Guayusa and have used the plant for centuries in Wayus Kichwa term for morning Guayusa rituals. The family gathers before sunrise (3-4 a.m.), drinks Guayusa, shares dreams, and plans the day.Wayus
L
L-Theanine
Amino acid with relaxing effects found in Guayusa (0.02-0.05%) and green tea. Acts synergistically with caffeine and reduces nervousness.
LC-MS/MS
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry - highly sensitive method for identification and quantification of secondary metabolites. Used for saponin and polyphenol analysis in Guayusa.
LD₅₀
Lethal Dose 50% - dose at which 50% of test organisms die. Guayusa extract shows LD₅₀ > 2,000 mg/kg (rat, oral), indicating very low acute toxicity.
Leaf Morphology
Scientific description of leaf structure. Guayusa leaves are lanceolate to elliptical, 6-28 cm long, 2-10 cm wide, with serrated margins and a leathery-glossy surface.
LOAEL
Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level - lowest dose with observed negative effects. Not determined for Guayusa, as no negative effects were observed up to 1,000 mg/kg/day.
Lutein
Carotenoid with antioxidant effects and significance for eye health. Guayusa contains 5.2-7.8 mg/100g lutein.
M
Molecular networking
Computational approach (e.g., GNPS) that connects MS/MS spectra by similarity. This helps reveal families of related compounds and supports annotation of unknowns.
Muscuy
Kichwa term for dream interpretation and visionary experiences. Guayusa is traditionally consumed before sleep to promote clear dreams (Muscuy Kichwa term for dream interpretation and visionary experiences. Guayusa is traditionally consumed before sleep to promote clear dreams (Muscuy).Muscuy
N
Neochlorogenic acid (3-CQA)
Isomer of chlorogenic acid. Guayusa contains 0.8-1.2% neochlorogenic acid (dry weight).
NOAEL
No Observed Adverse Effect Level - highest dose without observed negative effects. For Guayusa: 1,000 mg/kg/day (90-day study, rat).
Novel Food
EU regulation for foods without significant history of consumption before 1997. Guayusa received Novel Food EU regulation for foods without significant history of consumption before 1997. Guayusa received Novel Food approval for the EU market in 2020.Novel Food
O
ORAC
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity - method for measuring antioxidant capacity. Guayusa shows ORAC values of 127-159 µmol TE/g, comparable to green tea.
P
Paraxanthine
Main metabolite of caffeine in the human body (84% of caffeine metabolism). Formed via CYP1A2-mediated demethylation.
Polyphenols
Group of secondary plant metabolites with antioxidant effects. Guayusa contains 12-18% total polyphenols (dry weight), mainly chlorogenic acids and flavonoids Group of polyphenols with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Guayusa contains quercetin (0.8-1.2 mg/g), kaempferol (0.3-0.5 mg/g), and rutin (0.5-0.8 mg/g).flavonoids
Purine alkaloids
Group of alkaloids with a purine base structure. Guayusa contains caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline.
Q
Quercetin
Flavonoid with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Guayusa contains 0.8-1.2 mg/g quercetin (dry weight).
R
Rutin
Flavonoid glycoside (quercetin-3-rutinoside) with vasoprotective effects. Guayusa contains 0.5-0.8 mg/g rutin.
S
Saponins
Group of glycosides with soap-like properties. Guayusa contains ursolic acid Triterpenoid saponin with anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects. Detected in Guayusa as ursolic acid derivatives. Group of glycosides with soap-like properties. Guayusa contains ursolic acid derivatives and other triterpenoid saponins (0.3-0.6%).ursolic acid
saponins
Secoya
Indigenous ethnic group in Ecuador and Peru. The Secoya Indigenous ethnic group in Ecuador and Peru. The Secoya use Guayusa for shamanistic rituals and hunting preparations.Secoya
Sello Chakra Amazonia
Certification system for sustainable products from chakra systems. GUYA is certified with this seal.
T
Tannins
Polyphenolic compounds responsible for the astringent taste. Guayusa contains moderate amounts of tannins Polyphenolic compounds responsible for the astringent taste. Guayusa contains moderate amounts of tannins that contribute to antioxidant effects.tannins
Taxonomy
Scientific classification of living organisms. Ilex guayusa: Kingdom Plantae, Order Aquifoliales, Family Aquifoliaceae Botanical family of holly plants to which Ilex guayusa belongs. The family comprises about 400–600 species, mainly in tropical and temperate regions.Aquifoliaceae
Theobromine
Purine alkaloid with mild stimulating and vasodilating effects. Guayusa contains 0.4-0.7% theobromine (dry weight).
Theophylline
Purine alkaloid with bronchodilatory effects. Detectable only in trace amounts in Guayusa.
U
Untargeted metabolomics
Broad profiling of many metabolites/features without preselecting targets. Useful for comparing chemical profiles across origin, plant age, light exposure, processing, or batches.
Ursolic acid
Triterpenoid saponin with anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects. Detected in Guayusa as ursolic acid derivatives.
W
Wayus
Kichwa term for morning Guayusa rituals. The family gathers before sunrise (3-4 a.m.), drinks Guayusa, shares dreams, and plans the day.
X
Xanthine oxidase
Enzyme involved in the breakdown of purines. Polyphenols in Guayusa exhibit xanthine oxidase Enzyme involved in the breakdown of purines. Polyphenols in Guayusa exhibit xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity.xanthine oxidase