Just like its effect, the origin and history of the Guayusa plant is marked by myths and secrets. In this article, we explain the most important facts about the growing areas and the history of the origin of the magic herb Ilex Guayusa.
The origin of Ilex Guayusa
The origins of Guayusa are in the Amazonas area, especially in the northwestern regions of the green lung of South America. Even today the tree is still cultivated almost exclusively in this region. Growing countries are among them:
- Ecuador
- southwestern Colombia
- Brazil (especially the westernmost state of Acre)
- Bolivia
- northeastern Peru
Specifically in the Peruvian province of Loreto, commercial cultivation of Guayusa is now also practised.
The Quechua Indians
The origin of Guayusa is closely connected with the Quechua (also Ketschua or Kichwa) Indians. However, the Quechua are not a homogeneous tribe, rather it refers to members of an ethnic group that share Quechua as a language. Accordingly, the tribes are distributed over a huge area. This corresponds approximately to that of the Guayusa cultivation areas. About 9 to 14 million people belong to this ethnic group. The Kichwa are regarded as the discoverers of the Guayusa plant and historically have made the comparatively widespread distribution of the caffeine miracle possible.
Especially the tea extracted from the leaves of the plant is an integral part of the Quechua’s everyday culture, not only because of the caffeine. Guayusa tea is drunk both as a ritual instrument and as an everyday drink (similar to coffee in this country). The close connection between the life of the Quechua Indians and Guayusa becomes particularly clear when one considers the cultivation of the plant …
The cultivation of Guayusa
The Ilex Guayusa tree is between 5 and 30 meters high and is cultivated in traditional forest gardens (chacras) at altitudes of 200 to 2000 meters. Chacras are growing sites embedded in the rainforest, but they are not monocultures. Instead, other plants are grown there – the mixture of plants creates a natural balance, in which the Guayusa plant is protected from pests. In addition, the plant neighbours provide shade, which is vital for the Ilex Guayusa, especially in the first three years after planting. The trees are propagated by cuttings, i.e. shoots taken from adult plants, which are replanted. Ilex Guayusa can be harvested all year round.
A real cultivated plant
The trees cultivated today in the Amazon region have a special feature. In their present form they are virtually infertile. The cultivated plants usually do not develop flowers, and if they do, they do not contain seeds. Today, it is assumed that the centuries of cultivation through cuttings has cost the Guayusa tree its ability to reproduce. The survival of the Ilex Guayusa is therefore closely linked to the Quechua.
The Story of Guayusa
The history of the Ilex Guayusa is full of myths and legends. Historical facts are rather scarce due to the origin. In the western world, the Coffee Alternative Guayusa has a comparatively recent history: In scientific literature the plant was first described in 1901 by Ludwig Eduard Theodor Loesener. The oldest find and at the same time the oldest proof of the existence of Ilex Guayusa dates back to the year 500 A.D./strong>. In today’s Bolivia leaves of the Ilex Guayusa were found in the grave of a medicine man. Grave goods also indicate its consumption as a snuff powder (this way of administration is unusual today). However, the find contradicts today’s widespread assumption that Ecuador is the country of origin of the ilex guayusa.
A further historical mention was made in 1683 by a Jesuit. He reported to the viceroy of Peru about the indigenous consumption of energy tea for ritual purposes. There is also evidence that tea was used as an anaesthetic from the 8th century onwards due to its ingredients.
Tales and myths
Naturally, the historical tales of the history of the coffee alternative Guayusa among the indigenous people are rather mystical in nature. Different stories entwine themselves around the origins of the plant, they all have in common the thought that Guayusa is a “strong” gift of the gods.
In another story a tribe prays, the gods may send a plant that teaches them to dream. One day, according to the myth, a pair of twins went down a river in a canoe in search of this mystical plant. When they woke up one night, they saw a ghost village on the bank. They reach a palace, and in it, steps lead straight up to the sky. They meet their ancestors, from whom they receive the Ilex Guayusa as a gift. From now on they should be able to contact their ancestors through their dreams, through the effect of the leaves.
culture of the Quechua.
The Guayusa tea is not only a simple stimulant and energy dispenser, it is the connection to the kingdom of the ancestors.
