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Useful Tropical Plants

Ilex guayusa

Loes.

Aquifoliaceae

+ Synonyms

Ilex utilis Moldenke

Common Name: Huayusa

No Image.

General Information

Ilex guayusa is an evergreen tree with a large, dense crown; it can grow around 6 - 30 metres tall with a bole around 23 - 50cm in diameter, but can be kept smaller and shrub-like by constant trimming[
1915
Title
Ethnobotany of the Andes
Publication
 
Author
Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
Publisher
Springer Nature; Switzerland
Year
2020
ISBN
978-3-030-28932-4
Description
 
,
2069
Title
Les Aquifoliaceae péruviennes: éléments pour une révision des Aquifoliaceae néotropicales
Publication
Boissiera 48 (1994)
Author
Loizeau A.
Website
http://doi.org/10.5169/seals-895414
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de Genève
Year
1994
ISBN
2-8277-0064-6
Description
 
].
The plant has a long history of cultivation and use, going back to pre-Colomban times, as a medicinal plant and a stimulating and refreshing tea. It is still often used locally to treat a variety of health conditions and to make a refreshing tea. It is grown in home gardens and, where available, is also harvested from the wild, the leaves.are sometimes sold in local markets[562. 918,
1915
Title
Ethnobotany of the Andes
Publication
 
Author
Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
Publisher
Springer Nature; Switzerland
Year
2020
ISBN
978-3-030-28932-4
Description
 
].
Ilex guayusa has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Known Hazards

Although no specific reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, Ilex species in general contain several potentially toxic compounds, particularly saponins, glycosides and triterpenoids. These compounds also often have a range of potential health benefits[
274
Title
Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas
Publication
 
Author
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J
Website
http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Publisher
Botanical Research Institute, Texas.
Year
1999
ISBN
1-889878-01-4
Description
An excellent flora, which is also available on-line.
,
293
Title
Poisonous Plants of North Carolina
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent concise but comprehensive guide to toxic plants that grow in N. Carolina. It lists even those plants that are of very low toxicity, including several well-known food plants such as carrots and potatoes.
,
2070
Title
Genus Ilex L.: Phytochemistry, Ethnopharmacology, and Pharmacology
Publication
Chinese Herbal Medicines, 2016, 8(3): 209-230
Author
Fan Yi, Xiao-ling Zhao, Yong Peng, Pei-gen Xiao
Website
http://10.1016/S1674-6384(16)60044-8
Publisher
 
Year
2016
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The berries are usually the part of the plant most likely to be toxic, though the degree of toxicity is usually low. Their bitter flavour usually prevents a person eating more than one or two, but even a small handful of the fruit eaten by a healthy adult is unlikely to cause more than feelings of nausea that can lead on to vomiting and diarrhoea[
293
Title
Poisonous Plants of North Carolina
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent concise but comprehensive guide to toxic plants that grow in N. Carolina. It lists even those plants that are of very low toxicity, including several well-known food plants such as carrots and potatoes.
].
The compounds in the leaves are particularly interesting. The leaves of many Ilex species around the world are commonly used to make health-promoting teas that, when drunk on a regular basis, help to regulate bodily functions and can reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood-cholesterol levels etc (See Ilex paraguariensis or Ilex kaushue for examples)[
2070
Title
Genus Ilex L.: Phytochemistry, Ethnopharmacology, and Pharmacology
Publication
Chinese Herbal Medicines, 2016, 8(3): 209-230
Author
Fan Yi, Xiao-ling Zhao, Yong Peng, Pei-gen Xiao
Website
http://10.1016/S1674-6384(16)60044-8
Publisher
 
Year
2016
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. Even these teas, however, if taken in very concentrated doses, can act as a laxative or cause vomiting. Indeed, several species are used by traditional peoples to induce vomiting as a means of purifying the body (see Ilex guayusa or Ilex vomitoria for examples)

Botanical References

2069
Title
Les Aquifoliaceae péruviennes: éléments pour une révision des Aquifoliaceae néotropicales
Publication
Boissiera 48 (1994)
Author
Loizeau A.
Website
http://doi.org/10.5169/seals-895414
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de Genève
Year
1994
ISBN
2-8277-0064-6
Description
 

Range

S. America - Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela

Habitat

Forest, woodland and shrubland, often along forest edges; at elevations from 200 - 2,000 metres[
2069
Title
Les Aquifoliaceae péruviennes: éléments pour une révision des Aquifoliaceae néotropicales
Publication
Boissiera 48 (1994)
Author
Loizeau A.
Website
http://doi.org/10.5169/seals-895414
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de Genève
Year
1994
ISBN
2-8277-0064-6
Description
 
].

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Edibility Rating *  *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height15.00 m
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details


Ilex species generally tolerate most soils that are not water-logged[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[
2069
Title
Les Aquifoliaceae péruviennes: éléments pour une révision des Aquifoliaceae néotropicales
Publication
Boissiera 48 (1994)
Author
Loizeau A.
Website
http://doi.org/10.5169/seals-895414
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de Genève
Year
1994
ISBN
2-8277-0064-6
Description
 
].

Edible Uses

An 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[
562
Title
Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 27
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Botanical Museum; Massachusetts.
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
Contains various articles including one on the uses of Erisma japura and Monopteryx angustifolia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
1915
Title
Ethnobotany of the Andes
Publication
 
Author
Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
Publisher
Springer Nature; Switzerland
Year
2020
ISBN
978-3-030-28932-4
Description
 
]. A very pleasant flavour[
562
Title
Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 27
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Botanical Museum; Massachusetts.
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
Contains various articles including one on the uses of Erisma japura and Monopteryx angustifolia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It can be consumed alone or blended with alcoholic and other beverages[
1438
Title
Food Plants in the Americas: A Survey of the Domesticated, Cultivated, and Wild Plants Used for Human Food in North,
Publication
 
Author
Kermath B.M.; Bennett B.C.' Pulsipher L.M.
Publisher
 
Year
2014
ISBN
 
Description
A pre-publication draft of an amazing, on-going work first started in 1985. It contains information on more than 3,900 taxa from the Americas - from Arctic regions to the Tropics
].
An infusion of the leaves can be added to ayahuasca (a hallucinogenic drink prepared based on Banisteriopsis caapi),
in order to reduce its strong flavour, as well as ameliorate any possible hangover after drinking it[
1915
Title
Ethnobotany of the Andes
Publication
 
Author
Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
Publisher
Springer Nature; Switzerland
Year
2020
ISBN
978-3-030-28932-4
Description
 
].
If the leaf infusion is concentrated by simmering it for several hours, the resultant thick liquid is used as an emetic to bring almost instant vomiting. This is used as a purification ritual by some traditional peoples[
562
Title
Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 27
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Botanical Museum; Massachusetts.
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
Contains various articles including one on the uses of Erisma japura and Monopteryx angustifolia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]

Medicinal

The leaves are antibacterial. diuretic, emetic, hypnotic, narcotic, stimulant, general tonic[
1915
Title
Ethnobotany of the Andes
Publication
 
Author
Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
Publisher
Springer Nature; Switzerland
Year
2020
ISBN
978-3-030-28932-4
Description
 
]. A decoction is used to treat excessive sweating, headaches and flu. A decoction or infusion of the dried leaves is used as a stimulant - this is also seen as a way of 'saving food' since, when drinking the beverage in the morning, a person does not feel hungry until noon. The decoction is also used as a nervous and muscular stimulant, as a digestive and an expectorant. The leaves are also used to treat diabetes. The decoction of the leaves relieves the discomforts of the body[
1915
Title
Ethnobotany of the Andes
Publication
 
Author
Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
Publisher
Springer Nature; Switzerland
Year
2020
ISBN
978-3-030-28932-4
Description
 
,
2069
Title
Les Aquifoliaceae péruviennes: éléments pour une révision des Aquifoliaceae néotropicales
Publication
Boissiera 48 (1994)
Author
Loizeau A.
Website
http://doi.org/10.5169/seals-895414
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de Genève
Year
1994
ISBN
2-8277-0064-6
Description
 
].
An infusion of the leaves is taken to keep the stomach clean and treat indigestion. The infusion is taken by pregnant women and serves to increase fertility in women who are finding it difficult to conceive[
1669
Title
An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in Loja and Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador
Publication
Journal of Ethnopharmacology 111 (2007) 63-81
Author
Tene V. et al
Website
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2006.10.032
Publisher
 
Year
2007
ISBN
0378-8741
Description
 
,
1915
Title
Ethnobotany of the Andes
Publication
 
Author
Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
Publisher
Springer Nature; Switzerland
Year
2020
ISBN
978-3-030-28932-4
Description
 
]. The infusion also stops diarrhoea in children[
1915
Title
Ethnobotany of the Andes
Publication
 
Author
Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
Publisher
Springer Nature; Switzerland
Year
2020
ISBN
978-3-030-28932-4
Description
 
]. The leaves, in infusion and in steam baths, are used as a brain tonic (they are said to mitigate depression); to stimulate the functioning of the stomach; and to treat abdominal pain both before and after childbirth[
1915
Title
Ethnobotany of the Andes
Publication
 
Author
Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
Publisher
Springer Nature; Switzerland
Year
2020
ISBN
978-3-030-28932-4
Description
 
]. They also relieve the flu, fevers, rheumatism, body aches and headaches[
1915
Title
Ethnobotany of the Andes
Publication
 
Author
Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
Publisher
Springer Nature; Switzerland
Year
2020
ISBN
978-3-030-28932-4
Description
 
].
The whole fresh plant is used as a diuretic and to treat anaemia[
1915
Title
Ethnobotany of the Andes
Publication
 
Author
Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
Publisher
Springer Nature; Switzerland
Year
2020
ISBN
978-3-030-28932-4
Description
 
].

The bark and leaves are used to treat arthritis and rheumatism[
1915
Title
Ethnobotany of the Andes
Publication
 
Author
Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
Publisher
Springer Nature; Switzerland
Year
2020
ISBN
978-3-030-28932-4
Description
 
].

Other Uses

The powdered leaves are used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin protector[
1243
Title
CosIng
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
CosIng is the European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients.
].

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-12. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Ilex+guayusa>

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