Gwydion Posted September 18, 2001 Anybody know where to get a hold of this plant? There's a couple of us have been running ourselves ragged trying to find it. Ilex guayusa is a member of the holly family (like coffee and Yerba Mate [i. paraguariensis- and yes, there are other versions of this name]). It's a native of the Amazon (I think from the Oriente- near enough to the Andes, anyway, to be in Ecuador , Peru and Bolivia), and it contains faeces-loads of caffeine. It's also used by some 'shamans' as a regulator/ 'antidote'/ additive in their ceremonies. A friend of mine who was researching "traditional antidotes to drug induced psychosis" in S, America came across it as one of a number of plants used for that purpose (others included a drink made from white corn and more of the drug that caused the 'problem'- ie. the evil spirits). If anyone knows where Guayusa might be got, there just might be a great big reward. Then again, there might be a drink of corn meal instead. ;-) Diolch! Gwydion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tripitaka Posted September 20, 2001 Gwydion In the process of propogating I. Paraguariensis at present, all well so far. If this is of any help, should be ready with in the 1-2 month mark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gwydion Posted September 27, 2001 Yerba Mate could be good too. Not as much caffeine as Guayusa tho'. What might you want in return for one or two of your babies? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites