This plant is found largely in Brazil, Uruguay and Venezuela. The plant was named after the German medical botanist Paullini, who died in 1712. The seeds of P. sorbilis are sometimes also used with it to prepare Guarana, which was first made by a particular South American Indian tribe. The seeds crushed and mixed with water and Cassava and left to ferment forms a popular national drink. Its activity is to raise metabolism and acts as a stimulant, tonic (folk medicine), and in the homeopathic mother tincture for headaches. Active substances include catechin tannins, caffeine, theobromine and other xanthines.

Ginger has long been known to increase the energy pathways of the skin and scalp, having a clearing and youth promoting effect. Research conducted at Cornell University Medical Center has found that Ginger may help prevent strokes and hardening of the arteries. The active ingredients of Ginger, a family of Gingerols, is proven effective preventing recurrences of so-called "little-strokes." It is thought that the Gingerols may inhibit an enzyme that causes cells to clot, thus Ginger has a blood-thinning effect, although interestingly, Ginger's activities appear to be inhibited by Aspirin. Ginger is also thought capable of slowly reducing blood cholesterol levels. Ginger has numerous other pharmacological properties as well, exerting effects on the digestive and central nervous system. It acts as a stimulant on the gastrointestinal tract, increasing peristalsis and tone of the intestinal muscle, and extracts of Ginger have been shown to stimulate the vasomotor and respiratory centers as well. Ginger has also demonstrated some limited effectiveness in case studies of migraine headaches, PMS cramping and irregularities, and rheumatic and arthritic disorders, possibly because of its ability to inhibit the synthesis of certain prostaglandins, which may explain its antiinflammatory effects. Considerable interest has been shown in Ginger as an antiemetic in view of if its lack of side effects in comparison with other antiemetic drugs. Its prophylactic effects on symptoms of motion sickness has been assessed in clinical trials wherein vomiting was significantly reduced, as well as vertigo. Lastly, Ginger is thought to bring color to the face and to the hair, and its root has also been used historically as a cosmetic rouge for the face.

This is a vitamin cofactor which facilitates the metabolism of amino acids and carbohydrates. It is thought to aid the body in promoting the normal health of sweat glands, nerve tissue, bone marrow, male genitalia and red blood cells. Like most B vitamins and related cofactors, Biotin also is thought to aid in the slowing of premature hair loss (it cannot restore hair), premature wrinkling, and scaly skin rash.Recent research of Biotin has demonstrated that deficiency of Biotin has been one of the causes of various skin problems in infants and various forms of skin irritations in adults. Its deficiency may be linked to the reasons of the occurrence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but it remains unproven.

Ascorbic acid, Mol Wt. 176, related chemically to sugars, is a well known vitamin that is thought to be essential for the maintenance of connective tissues. Without ascorbic acid, the structure of the connective tissue becomes weakened, the linings of blood vessels, as well as the sheath of connective tissue about them, become weakened so that bleeding occurs. It is involved in the hydroxylation of proline to hydroxyproline, an important step in the synthesis of collagen, healthy bones and cartilage. Thus, it is integral to the promotion of healthy eyes, gums and teeth, critically essential in the healing and repair of wounds and damaged cells. It is also involved in the hydroxylation of tryptophan to 5-HTP, the immediate precursor to serotonin, and the conversion of 3,4-dihdrooxyphenylethylamine to norepinephrine, and the hydroxylation of p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate to homogentisic acid in the catabolic pathway of tyrosine. Vitamin C and its esters have been shown to lower cholesterol levels in atherosclerotic patients, and is involved in the formation of hemoglobin, the absorption of iron from the body. Tissues which have the highest rate of metabolic activity also have the highest amounts of vitamin C. Useful in complementing the body's immune system in times of stress and illness as well as necessary in maintaining optimum health.Vitamin C, when used in conjunction with bioflavonoids, is thought to help in the reduction of the formation of "age-spots." Vitamin C may aid the body in stopping the skin's pigment from prematurely clumping and being acted upon by the sun's ultraviolet rays, circumventing the possibility of the clumps from being turned into age-spots. Vitamin C is thought to aid the body, strengthen capillaries and avoid easy bruising, and the formation of those tiny hemorrhages of capillaries that become spider veins. As a cofactor, Vitamin C also helps the oil-secreting glands function properly, keeping the skin from drying out. Further, this vitamin may also be helpful in keeping hair from getting tangled, matted, snarled and broken. There are 6 stable esters of vitamin C, all of which prove useful in the body. These include: Vitamin C1-Ascorbic Acid, VItamin C2-Dehyroascorbic Acid, Vitamin C3-Ascorbyl Palmitate, VItamin C4-Calcium Ascorbate, Vitamin C5-Isoascorbic Acid, Vitamin C6-Calcium Isoascorbate, and lastly, Ascorbign, or provitamin C (the direct precursor of ascorbic acid) is also useful and appears to potentiate, if not accelerate, vitamin C activity.