Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—It is very probable that from the tannin contained in guarana, it has effected recovery from diarrhœa, leucorrhœa, etc., of a very mild form; but as we have more prompt and efficient articles for these affections, in which this agent was at first so loudly heralded, it is no longer employed therapeutically, except chiefly for the relief of certain forms of headache. Like coffee and tea, it appears to be a gentle excitant, and is serviceable in cases where the brain becomes irritated or depressed by mental over-exertion, and when there is a sensation of fatigue or exhaustion during very warm seasons; as it has practically the same chemical composition as caffeine and theine, we find it has likewise precisely the same physiological action. It is chiefly in nervous headache, in the cephalalgia sometimes accompanying menstruation, and that following a course of dissipation, in which the most benefit is derived from it. Its use appears to be contraindicated in most cases of neuralgia, neuralgic headache, and chronic headache, and in all cases in which it is not desirable to excite the heart, increase arterial tension, or increase the temperature. Its administration is often followed by dysuria. The dose of guarana, in powder, is from 10 grains to 1 drachm, but this is an unpleasant and objectionable form of administration. The indications for its use are a feeble pulse, pallid countenance, and expressionless eyes, with sick headache. It is asserted by Foltz to relieve the temporary paralysis of the third nerve, which occasionally succeeds headache. The smaller doses act better than the excessively large doses, the medium dose of specific guarana being 10 drops. Webster claims that it is serviceable in occipital neuralgia and lumbago. The fluid extract and specific guarana are probably the most eligible preparations for use; the former may be given in doses of from ½ to 1 teaspoonful, in syrup or sweetened water, repeated 3 times a day; the latter in from 1 to 30-drop doses. M. Gubler states that guaranine possesses diuretic properties, having tested it with several patients; in doses of about 7½ grains daily, it increased the urine from 27 to 67 and 107 fluid ounces in the course of 24 hours.
Specific Indications and Uses.—Headache, with pallor of the face, weak circulation, and the pain aggravated by exertion; sick headache (migraine), with cerebral anemia; headache of menstruation, with cerebral anemia; mental exhaustion or depression; headache from dissipation.