This herbal tea is harvested throughout Ecuador by native people who sell it in the markets there. Until recently Guayusa was rarely found outside of Ecuador and never within the US. A close relative to the more widely known Yerba Mate (Ilex Paraguayensis), Guayusa contains caffeine which accounts for some of the stimulating effect similar to Yerba Mate. However, this is not just another caffeine containing herb, the profound effects prove this to be a very powerful herb with properties that have yet to be studied. Like Yerba Mate, Guayusa is full of nutritional content as well as energy giving alkaloids, but Guayusa is much stronger and more potent in these properties than Yerba Mate as well as having unique components.

In Ecuador Guayusa has been used from ancient times to modern day to increase physical and mental capacity, to fight fatigue, and to restore youthful energy. Generally hailed as a long-life plant it is consumed daily for nourishment as well as to lift the mood and increase memory and concentration. There are also believed to be a wide range of other medicinal uses such as an analgesic to relieve headache and body pains, to treat colds, lower blood pressure, and to have strong sexually stimulating and libido enhancing properties.

Besides daily use for maintenance of high energy and positive mood Guayusa has been used as an aid to dreaming and dream recall—initial feedback shows very strong potential in this area. Guayusa has also traditionally been used as an admixture to Ayahuasca brews throughout Ecuador as it gives strength and energy to deal with the visions and sedation of the brew.