Herbal Beverage as Stimulants

Herbal Beverage as Stimulants
There are several commonly consumed herbal beverages that stimulate the central nervous system (CNS).

Guarana (made from the crushed seed of the Brazilian shrub Paullinia cupana and mate (the dried leaves of Ilex paraguariensis) are Latin American herbs with stimulatory properties, due to high levels of caffeine they contain – approx 3.5% and 2% caffeine, respectively.

A typical 6 oz cup of mate may contain 25-50 mg of caffeine. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) may contain approx 35 – 65 mg of caffeine per cup. Whereas lemon-flavored Lipton green tea contain approx 15 mg caffeine per 12 oz can.

Each of these beverages provides substantially less caffeine than coffee, which provide approx 60-130 mg/cup.

Ephedra spp. (Ma Huang) is commonly used for the treatment of respiratory ailments such as bronchial asthma. Ephedra contains the alkaloid stimulant ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.

Because of its adrenergic properties, ephedrine has been widely used as a nasal decongestant and to treat bronchial asthma.

Ephedra, combined with caffeine, is also promoted for use as a diet aid to help in weight loss programs and is also sold as an energy boosting formula. Ephedra can raise both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the heat rate.
Herbal Beverage as Stimulants