Guarana. (Not Officinal.) - The seeds of Paul-linia sorbilis, reduced to powder after roasting, and made into a stiff paste with water. From Brazil.

Characters. - Cylindrical rolls of dried paste. Brazilian cocoa.

Composition. - Guarana contains no less than five per cent. of caffein, C8H10N4O2, the alkaloid of the coffee and tea plants; united, as in these, with tannic acid, starch, and gum.

Dose. - 15 to 60 gr. in powder, or as infusion.

Action And Uses

The action of guarana closely resembles that of strong tea or coffee. It is chiefly used in sick headache (megrim). See Caffein (page 271).