Ilex paraguayensis – Mate

 

 

Evergreen, moderately high trees, growing in Brazil and Paraguay. Drinking the very refreshing and thirst quenching mate-tea is wide-spread in South America.

Use: The leaves are gathered, dried and lightly roasted. Out of the so obtained mate, a tea is prepared. As of now, there is a whole series of mate-containing soft drinks that are available in the market (Club-Mate).

Active substances: Caffeine, tannin, minerals.

Effects: Stimulating, suppresses appetite. Mate acts more gentle than tea or coffee.

Side Effects: Long-term usage of high doses can cause irritability, insomnia and circulatory problems.

Suppliers: Health food stores, drugstores, herbal stores.