Ilex guayusa is an Amazonian tree of the holly genus, native to the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest. One of three known caffeinated holly trees, the leaves of the guayusa tree are dried and brewed like a tea for their stimulative effects. The guayusa plant is a tree growing 6–30 meters tall. The leaves are evergreen and 2.5–7 cm long. The flowers are small and white. The fruit is spherical and red, 6
–7 mm in diameter. The leaves contain caffeine and other alkaloids. The tree is grown primarily in Ecuador in the eastern provinces of Napo and Pastaza, but is found in parts of Peru and Colombia. After harvest, the guayusa leaves are dried which allows flavour to develop. Traditionally, some Ecuadorian Kichwa people boil guayusa leaves in water and consume the resulting beverage for its stimulative effects. In addition to drinking cups of guayusa like many Americans drink coffee, indigenous hunters drink guayusa to sharpen their instincts and call it the “Night Watchman” because it helps them stay alert and awake all night. Fresh leaves are used as well as dried leaves, which are dried in rolls and strung together as a wreath resembling a Hawaiian lei. The plant yields xanthines such as caffeine. Two other species of holly trees, Ilex paraguariensis (or Yerba Maté), and Ilex vomitoria (or yaupon holly), also contain caffeine. Guayusa has been collected only rarely by botanists and is known almost exclusively as a cultivated plant. Melvin Shemluck documented a flowering guayusa tree in Pastaza Province, Ecuador in his work between 1979 and 1980. Ilex guayusa is also known as “Wayusa” as spelled in the indigenous Kichwa language of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Also pronounced “Why-sa” by the Kichwa people and “Why-ees” by the Shuar people. More about the plant, health benefits and brewing instructions in our NOTES
