About Yerba Mate

Yerba mate is a type of shrub that is often used to make infusions. Mate has effects similar to coffee, though many users report a lack of negative side effects such as jitters and nervousness.

Identification

• Yerba mate is a type of holly found in subtropical South America. It was first discovered in 1894 by a Swiss botanist Moses Bertoni in Paraguay. Yerba mate is a small tree or shrub, and can grow up to 15 meters high. It has evergreen leaves, small green flowers and red fruit.

Geography

• The plant is native to South America. The plant is primarily grown in Paraguay, Argentina (the northern part), Uruguay and Brazil. The first people to grow the plant were the Guarani, but the first Europeans to consume it were the Jesuits, who brought it to Ecuador.

Function

• Yerba mate is often prepared as a kind of tea. It is prepared by putting the dried leaves in hot water (though not boiling). Mate is often shared among friends using a hollow gourd and a metal straw. The taste is similar to green tea, though it becomes more bitter when put in boiling water. On the other hand, the leaves can be brewed multiple times.

Features

• Mate contains a compound called xanthines. Other forms of xanthines are caffeine and theobromine. In addition, mate contains manganese, magnesium and potassium. Mate is sometimes marketed as caffeine-free based on certain chemical features, but this is not totally accurate.

Effects

• Many people who consume mate infusions report a feeling of alertness, enhanced focus and a lack of fatigue. Oddly enough, people often report a lack of the negative effects of caffeine, including anxiety, diarrhea and "the jitters." Some research has shown that this could be due to the fact that the xanthines in mate affect muscles more than the nervous system.