Yerba mate tea was introduced to the rest of the world by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay. The story behind the origins of yerba mate is a part of an Indian legend. The tall, fair-skinned god, Pa'i Shume came down to the earth from the skies to be a guide for man. Among other things, Pa'i Shume revealed the medicinal properties of native plants, one of which was yerba mate. The knowledge of mate was well known among the shamans, before being shared with everyone. Today, yerba mate is enjoyed in Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and southern Brazil just as commonly as coffee is in the United States.
What is Yerba Mate?
Yerba mate is not technically tea, and not quite an herbal infusion; it is a traditional medicinal tea in a class of its own. It is brewed from the leaves and small twigs of the tree Ilex paraguarensis. Mate has a slightly bitter edge to it, with an intense earthy, but refreshing taste.
Traditionally, this medicinal tea is drunk out of a small, round pot called a mate gourd. The mate is made by soaking the ground plant in cold water, and then adding hot water. The infusion is sipped through a wooden or metal filtered straw, called a bombilla. Yerba mate can also be purchased in bag form like conventional teas.
Benefits of Yerba Mate Tea
Yerba mate is well-known as an energizing drink. It has the same stimulatory effects as coffee - increasing mental clarity and physical stamina, calming asthma by opening respiratory pathways, and increasing blood circulation. Mate however provides xanthine alkaloids in addition to caffeine, which seem to be the reason that yerba mate drinkers do not experience the same negative side effects that coffee brings, although the caffeine content of yerba mate is comparable to a cup of coffee.
Yerba mate benefits also include a positive impact on the central nervous system. Both the phytochemicals present in the plant, and the nutrients help to both stimulate and nourish the nerves. Xanthin and B-complex vitamins help to combat the effects of stress. The presence of both calcium and magnesium help to promote relaxation and prevent insomnia.
This medicinal tea also provides a respectable dose of antioxidants - more so than a cup of green tea. It is rich in vitamins C and E which are the primary free-radical fighting nutrients. Yerba mate also provides some of the most potent cancer fighting phytochemcials; quercitin, rutin, ursolic acid, and tannins, which all have antitumor or anticancer properties.
Yerba mate tea is also reputed to be an effective weight loss tea. Research has in fact shown it to help with weight management by controlling appetite. Other yerba mate uses include stimulating the digestive system and relieving the symptoms of arthritis.
Yerba Mate vs. Tea
Yerba mate is very close in nutritional value, health benefits, and flavor profile to true teas. Mate actually provides more essential vitamins and minerals than tea, and a more potent dose of antioxidants, although they share several cancer-fighting phytochemicals. Yerba mate is the better choice in terms of the central nervous system and combating stress than black tea, although green, oolong, and white tea are just as calming as yerba mate. In terms of caffeine, yerba mate has a higher content, with about ten milligrams less than coffee per serving.
Yerba mate and health go hand in hand. For those who drink coffee or tea, mate may be an interesting and beneficial drink to broaden your hot beverage horizons.
Sources:
Page, Linda. "Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone." (Traditional Wisdom, 2003).
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