Yerba Mate Green, Yerba maté, Ilex Paraguariensis, leaf, HERB TM

Yerba Mate Green, Ilex Paraguariensis, leaf

Ilex Paraguariensis

Yerba mate - wonderful and healthy alternative to coffee and reliable source for your good temper.

Mate is a traditional South American infusion. It is prepared from the leaves of the evergreen tree Ilex Paraguariensis, which grows in Central and South America, especially in the forests of the Andes, in the nowadays territory of Paraguay.

Properties:Boosts immune system, reduces stress, stimulates thought processes, purified of toxins, normalizes blood pressure, tones the nervous system, controls appetite, cures insomnia, slows aging, regulates temperature.

Contents:Rich in vitamins A, C, E, B11, B2, carotene, calcium, iron, potassium, 15 different amino acids, antioxidants, polyphenols and many other useful ingredients. Natural stimulant without adverse effects, without the toxicity of the coffee. It has to be noted, that mate leads to high quality sleep, refreshes the brain and body, brings good mood and is a great source of nutrients. In 1964 the Paris Scientific Society concluded: "It is difficult to find a plant in the world close to mate in nutritional composition", "... mate contains practically all of the vitamins necessary to sustain life ..." Scientists confirm the beliefs of Guarana Indians and today we know that yerba mate helps:

• Diabetes - Regulates blood sugar levels

• Constipation - helps digestion

• In stress - relaxes the nerves

• In high levels of bad cholesterol

• In spring allergies - relieves symptoms

• After diseased conditions - boosts immune system

Mode of preparation:Pour one teaspoon of powdered and dried petals with 250 ml of hot water (80-90 ° C) leave it for 3-5 minutes, then you can drink.

Originally the plant was being flooded in a pot similar to a small gourd, which is called "kalabas" or máte. Hence the name of the drink comes from. Leaves remain in the pot all the time, without straining. Indeed, the liquid is being drunk with the help of a straw, at the lower end of which there is a strainer. This straw is called "bombilya" and most often is made ​​of stainless steel metal, wood or plastic.

Chemical composition and properties:

Maté leaves contain caffeine, vanilla, theobromine, vitamins A, B and C, citric acid, Isobutyric acid, inositol, xylenol, oil (butyric acid), tannins, nicotinic acid or vitamin B3 (hence its specific flavor) pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), Riboflavin (vitamin B2), rutin, resins, stearic acid, protein, tannins, theobromine, theophylline, trigonelline, chlorophyll, choline, cellulose.

Yerba mate contains three xanthines: caffeine, theobromine and theophylline, the main one being caffeine. Caffeine content varies between 0.7% and 1.7% of dry weight (compared with 0.4– 9.3% for tea leaves, 2.5–7.6% in guarana, and up to 3.2% for ground coffee); theobromine content varies from 0.3% to 0.9%; theophylline is present in small quantities, or can be completely absent. A substance previously called "mateine" is a synonym for caffeine (like theine and guaranine).

Preliminary limited studies of mate have shown that the mate xanthine cocktail is different from other plants containing caffeine, most significantly in its effects on muscle tissue, as opposed to those on the central nervous system, which are similar to those of other natural stimulants. The three xanthines present in mate have been shown to have a relaxing effect on smooth muscle tissue, and a stimulating effect on myocardial tissue.