Use the Natural Health Benefits of Yerba Mate to Relieve Fatigue

Yerba Mate or erva mate is a species of the holly plant, native to Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Southern Brazil. It is classified as a small tree or shrub, growing up to 45 feet tall. The flowers are small, green/white with four petals, the fruit the yerba mate bears is a small red berry.

Yerba mate is commonly used as a stimulant, much like caffeine, to relieve mental and physical fatigue. Because of its mateine or caffeine contents, it is in many of the over-the-counter weight loss dietary supplements to promote appetite suppression.

The infusion or tea called mate is prepared by steeping the dried leaves in hot water. It is not boiled. Drinking mate from a gourd through a metal straw with your friends or family is a very common practice in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. It is less potent than coffee, and is gentler on your stomach. The flavor is much more like a green tea than coffee, tasting herbal and grassy.

In Brazil, you can purchase a toasted version of mate called cha mate or "mate tea". It is served sweetened with sugar and served hot or cold over either milk or juice. There is even an uncarbonated soft drink that has toasted mate that can be purchased with or without the fruit juice or sweeteners.

Yerba mate tea is essentially made the same way that the cha mate is made; by infusing the dried leaves and flowers of the yerba mate plant for 10 minutes without boiling the water. This is a healthy alternative herbal tea that is high in anti-oxidants and vitamins, and is also commonly used in the South American energy drinks. You can purchase yerba mate herbs either green or toasted, also used to treat mental and physical fatigue.

Another popular herbal blend is a chai spice yerba mate tea, claiming that the yerba mate has a thermogenic effect that triggers the body to burn excess calories. There are claims that the yerba mate also helps in curbing hunger by meeting many of the body's daily nutritional needs.

Yerba mate contains naturally occurring vitamins and minerals including carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin B complex. It also contains magnesium, calcium, iron, and chlorophyll.

There are also claims that yerba mate contains the chemical compound, Mateine, which is thought to be identical to caffeine. Like caffeine, it is a stimulant and can temporarily raise your body's metabolism, turning calories into energy. Athletes drink yerba mate teas in an effort to improve physical endurance and performanc, in addition to promoting and improving their overall good health.

Caution should be used when using yerba mate or any similar stimulant. Yerba mate can increase the side effects of many other medications including asthma medications, disulfiram (Antabuse), cimetidine (Tagamet), Ephedra and medications containing ephedrine, including cold medications containing decongestants (pseudoephedrine).

Natural therapies and herbal medicines should be used adjunctively or complementary to traditional medical treatment. Self-treating serious ailments can be dangerous and possibly life threatening. Always seek medical assistance when it is needed.

References

Janet C. Maccaro, Natural Health Remedies: An A-Z Family Guide, Siloam Press, 2003

Amy Rost, Natural Healing Wisdom & Know How: Useful Practices, Recipes, and Formulas for a Lifetime of Health, Black Dog & Leventhal Publishing, 2009.