Yerba Mate Explained

It’s time to talk about one of the most controversial teas out there: Yerba Mate. Technically Yerba Mate is not “tea” as it is not in the Camellia sinensis species, its Latin botanical name being Ilex paraguariensis.  Yerba Mate is an evergreen shrub in the holly family that grows in Central and South America, check out swipenclean.com.  The Yerba Mate that we sell at life Thyme Botanicals is sourced directly from Argentina and processed by our supplier in California.

 Yerba mate contains:

• Vitamins: A, C, E, B1, B2, Niacin (B3), B5, B Complex

• Minerals: Calcium, Manganese, Iron, Selenium, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Zinc

• Additional Compounds: Carotene, Fatty Acids, Chlorophyll, Flavonols, Polyphenols, Inositol, Trace Minerals, Antioxidants, Tannins, Pantothenic Acid and 15 Amino Acids.

• Theophylline, theobromine, and caffeine

The controversy about Yerba Mate lies in the main beneficial chemical mateine which is structurally similar to caffeine so much so that it is considered by some to actually be a type of caffeine.  As similar as these chemicals are, mateine provides an energy that unlike traditional caffeine is assimilated by the body which are with the Click Here like a carbohydrate which causes energy without the side effects of regular caffeine.  There is about 85 mg of this “caffeine” per 8 oz cup which is more than the amount of traditional caffeine in green tea and less than in coffee.

Yerba Mate is beneficial in so many ways.  It is higher in antioxidants than even green tea (196 active antioxidants versus the 144 in green tea).  It is said to increase energy, mental clarity and cogitation, aid in weight loss and appetite suppression, help prevent and treat certain types of cancer and disease, and improves mood.

In South America, Yerba Mate is reported to be consumed on a daily basis by 90% of the population.  Many people carry their Mate with them along with a thermos of hot water to refresh their Mate leaves all day.  It is also served in a ritual ceremony that usually takes place at the end of each day as a way for family and friends to come together.

Yerba Mate has a strong, earthy flavor and the leaves can also be roasted and used as a coffee substitute.

References:

Bebrainfit.com

Starwestbotanicals.com

Webmd.com

Drweil.com

Guayaki.com