@article{7e9a938e1b944fde9555ad62c9324390,
title = "Ritualistic use of the holly Ilex guayusa by Amazonian Jivaro Indians",
abstract = "In Amazonian Peru and Ecuador leaf decoctions of the rainforest holly Ilex guayusa with high caffeine concentrations are used as a morning stimulant. After daily ingestion, ritualistic vomiting by male Achuar Indians, better known as Jivaros, reduces excessive caffeine intake, so that blood levels of caffeine and biotransformed dimethylxanthines do not cause undesirable CNS and other effects. Emesis is learned and apparently not due to emetic compounds.",
keywords = "Jivaro, emesis, holly, stimulant, upper Amazon",
author = "Lewis, {W. H.} and Kennelly, {E. J.} and Bass, {G. N.} and Wedner, {H. J.} and Elvin-Lewis, {M. P.} and W., {D. Fast}",
note = "Funding Information: We thank Achuar Jivaro for sharing their knowledge; linguistic specialist M.C. Gnerre; C. Diaz, J. Campos and C. Ceron for field assistance; Oliver Phillips for reading the manuscript; R. J. Stonard and S.W. Ayer for initial laboratory assistance; and Occidental Petroleum Corp. of Lima for field assistance.T he research was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (BSR-85-08075) National Geographic Society (31-56-85) Lipton Tea Foundation and World Wildlife Fund-US (6057).",
year = "1991",
doi = "10.1016/0378-8741(91)90156-8",
language = "English",
volume = "33",
pages = "25--30",
journal = "Journal of Ethnopharmacology",
issn = "0378-8741",
number = "1-2",
}