Reptiles Leopard Geckos

Family: Aquifoliaceae

Genus: Ilex

Species: paraguariensis

Common names: Yerba mat, mat, erva mate, congonha, erveira, Paraguay cayi, Paraguay tea, South American holly, St. Bartholomew's tea, Jesuit's tea

General Description: Yerba mate is in the holly family, and bears holly-like leaves that are quite stiff and leathery. It is a medium-sized evergreen tree that can grow to 20 m high in the wild. Commonly, when cultivated, it is pruned into a shrubby, 4-8 m tall tree to make harvesting easier. In the wild, it grows near streams, and thrives at 1,500-2,000 feet above sea level. It has graceful, full-leafed branches, and white flowers that produce small red, black, or yellow berries. It is yerba mate's tough, leathery leaves that are used medicinally and as a natural, refreshing tea beverage throughout South America.

Location: Yerba mate is indigenous to Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay; however, it is now cultivated in many tropical countries to supply the demand for its leaves.

Uses: The word mate is Spanish for "gourd," and refers to the small gourd cup in which the tea beverage traditionally is served throughout South America. It is also served with a metal drinking straw or tube, called a bombilla, which has a filter attached to the lower end to strain out leaf fragments. The bottom third of the gourd is filled with fire-burned or toasted leaves, and hot water is added. Burnt sugar, lemon juice, and/or milk often is used to flavor the refreshing tea, which occupies a position rivaling that of coffee in the United States. Mate bars are as prevalent in South America as coffee bars are in North America and Europe; mate drinking has deep cultural roots.

In addition to it's use as a tea, it has also been used medicinally for fatigue, obesity (as an appetite suppressant), skin ulcers, hemorrhoids, allergies, and constipation. The biologically active chemical in yerba mate is comprised of xanthine alkaloids (caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline) and chlorogenic acid. Saponins have also been found in the leaves and are known, through recent research, to stimulate the immune system. The leaves also contain 15 amino acids and are a rich source of vitamins and minerals.

Disclaimer: The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Any reference to medicinal use is not intended to treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease.

Tony Mandarich