Yerba Mate
(First part)
YERBA MATE - A Legendary "healing herb" and "Whole Body Tonic"
For centuries, the Guarani Indians used the steeped juice of the leaves of the wild yerba tree-bush which proliferated beneath the rainforest canopy. They loved it for its cure-all health benefits which stimulate the body's immune system and reduce the effects of debilitating disease. Along with aiding digestion, it reduces stress and stimulates the mind. So effective were its attributes, they called it the "Drink of the Gods". The Jesuits who arrived in Paraguay centuries ago from Europe began drinking yerba mate after observing its amazing properties. So impressed, they began to cultivate yerba. Gauchos, the cowboys of South America, supplemented a mostly meat, cheese and bread diet with yerba mate because of its vitamin and mineral nutritional values. They carried it with them always, as they do today. As soon as people experienced it, there was no stopping the spread of this remarkable herbal drink throughout Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile.
As with so many ancient knowledges, health journals and professionals began in the early part of this century to verify what the indigenous peoples knew through a long history of use and observation.
"In 1964 one group of investigators from The Pasteur Institute and The Paris Scientific Society concluded that mate increases the supply of oxygen to the heart, especially during periods of stress or exercise....its whole body tonic property acts as a catalyst and enhances the healing powers of other herbs....in South American literature, mate is consistently noted for its ability to increase the body's immune system response and stimulate the body's natural resistance to diseases...it increases mental alertness and acuity without nervousness and jitters." He goes on to say that "reports of mate reducing blood pressure are not uncommon" and mate provides "more energy, vitality, better ability to concentrate, less nervousness, agitation, and anxiety."
Dr. Daniel Mowrey, Ph.D.
What are the benefits of yerba?
Yerba is traditionally known for :
a.. Strengthening the immune system
b.. Reducing fatigue
c.. Reducing blood pressure
d.. Rejuvenation
e.. Breaking down fat (lipolytic)
f.. Balancing sleep patterns
g.. Increasing libido
h.. Delivering oxygen to the heart and lungs during exercise
i.. A great diet aid
j.. Increasing focus
k.. Increasing creativity
l.. Increasing strength, energy and endurance
Recent research has shown that Yerba Mate:
a.. Reduces cholesterol
b.. Contains antioxidants
c.. Contains 15 amino acids
d.. Contains 24 vitamins and minerals
e.. Is a whole body tonic
Flavor enhancers:
a.. Honey mixed with the hot water
b.. Herbs like mint, blackberry leaves
c.. Non-dairy flavored creamers
d.. Milk (whole, rice or soy)
e.. Lemon or lime juice
f.. Lemon or lime zest (grated rind)
Mixed Drinks
a.. Flavored syrups i.e. maple, raspberry
b.. Liquors i.e. Baileys, Grande Marnier, Amaretto
c.. Cold beer - yes - cold beer!
d.. Fruit juice i.e. pineapple
May I use a tea ball or tea bag?
a.. Yes, however the bombilla pulls the nutrients out more efficiently and you receive optimum nutrition benefits and a heightened sense of well being
Mate contains a stimulant (mateine), a relative of caffeine that produces none of its jittery side effects. It also does not interfere with sleep cycles, nor is it addicting. It increases alertness and concentration, resistance to physical and mental fatigue, and confers a feeling of well-being without the depressant aftereffects typical of caffeine. Its promoters believe it to be a virtual wonder beverage-conferring euphoria while exacting no health penalties. Horacio Conesa, of the University of Buenos Aires Medical School, says, "There's not a single medical contraindication" for drinking maté. Daniel Mowrey, PhD, president of the American Physiotherapy Research Lab, has studied mate for 15 years and drinks it daily. He says it may provide the body with energy through nutrition rather than stimulant properties. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fatty acids, and is a more potent antioxidant than vitamin C. It is also said to increase libido, improve male sexual performance, help in weight reduction, stop hair from turning gray, cleanse the blood of waste and toxins, reduce blood pressure, grow and repair heart tissue, boost immune response, reduce hay-fever and allergy symptoms, and relieve headaches and migraines.
Qualities of Yerba mate :
a.. Antioxidant, Stamina
b.. Lowers Cholesterol, Endurance
c.. Energizes, Strength
d.. Rejuvenates, 24 Viamins/Minerals
e.. Lypolytic, Immunostimulant
f.. Controls appetite, Raises libido, mood
g.. Whole body tonic, Smooth muscle relaxant, Anti-depressant
h.. 15 amino acids
Yerba mate is reported to contain 196 active compounds, which compares favorably to the 144 compounds found in the more well-known green tea (Camellia sinensis).
Among them:
a.. Vitamins: significant amounts of vitamins C, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), and B complex, and several forms of carotene, pigments which are precursors of vitamin A.
b.. Minerals: calcium, iron, phosphorus, sulfur, manganese, selenium; especially high in potassium and magnesium
c.. Protein: 15 amino acids, including arginine, methionine, tryptophan, cysteine, histidine, isoleucine, aspartic acid, and tyrosine
d.. Fatty Acids: palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic (the primary omega-6 essential fatty acid); a variety of triterpenes (hydrocarbons commonly found in essential oils), and sterols (sitosterol, campesterol, and trace amounts of cholesterol)
e.. Carbohydrates: sucrose, raffinose, glucose, and levulose
Yerba Mate is the subject of a German Monograph which lists its uses for mental and physical fatigue, and having "analeptic, diuretic, positively inotropic, positively chronotropic, glycogenolytic and lipolytic effects." (5) Yerba mate has been used medicinally as a diuretic, tonic, and a central nervous system stimulant.(6, 7) Another traditional use has been as a depurative (to promote cleansing and excretion of waste).(8) Herbalist, Daniel Mowrey, states that yerba mate is a "whole body tonic," even in large amounts" and "promotes balances in many body systems without overstimulating any system." Yerba mate's tonic effect on the body helps to regulate sleep cycles and reduce fatigue.(9)Mate is used to reduce appetite, invigorate the body, and affects the muscles by reducing fatigue.(10) In Europe, Mate is used for weight loss, "as the ideal slimming remedy which facilitates losing weight in a natural way and still the distressing feelings of hunger and thirst."(5) Dr. James Balch, MD recommends Yerba Mate for arthritis, headache, hemorrhoids, fluid retention, obesity, fatigue, stress, constipation, allergies and hay fevers stating that it "cleanses the blood, tones the nervous system, retards aging, stimulates the mind, controls the appetite, stimulates the production of cortisone, and is believed to enhance the healing powers of other herbs."(11) Research on the active constituents of Yerba Mate were reported in the mid-1970s through mid-1980's (12, 13) The primary active chemical constituency of yerba mate is made up of 0.3-2.0% caffeine(2, 5) theobromine, theophylline, saponins, and 10% chlorogenic acid.(5, 7) Sterols resembling ergosterol and cholesterol are also present in yerba mate.(5) In addition, Yerba Mate is a rich source of minerals and 15 amino acids are present in the leaves.(14) In a study by Swantson-Flatt with the closely related Ilex species guayusa, the mate extract "retarded the development of hyperglycaemia" in streptozotocin diabetic mice and "reduced the hyperphagia, polydipsia, body weight loss, and glycated haemoglobin."(15) This study suggests the presence of potentially useful antidiabetic agents in Mate. The antioxidant properties demonstrated clinically by Yerba Mate were reported in two clinical studies demonstrating its high antioxidant values linked to rapid absorption of known antioxidant phytochemicals found in Mate leaves.(16,17) Of most recent clinical interest is a group of known and novel saponins that researchers have isolated in Mate leaves. Saponins are a group of phytochemicals with known pharmacological activities, including, as the latest research shows, stimulating the immune system.
REFERENCED QUOTES ON YERBA MATE "ACTIONS:
Mental stimulant, Increases stamina and endurance, Diuretic. TRADITIONAL USE: Yerba Mate is considered a stimulant and effective as a diuretic. Yerba Mate carries a colorful tradition on the South American Pampas. Gauchos drink Yerba Mate from a cow horn. It is a general tonic and invigorating to the physique, as well as mentally stimulating. Yerba Mate is now widely used for its tonic effects. Yerba Mate is an invigorating tonic to the body and mind. MERIDIAN INDICATIONS: Increases circulation by invigorating Spleen / Kidney Qi, Heat to Triple Warmer, Opens Liver meridian, Clears mist from Upper Burner, Fortifies Heart and Lung heat. EVA POINTS: Kidney, Circulation"
"Medicinal Action and Uses: Tonic, diuretic, and powerfully stimulant."
"For arthritis, headache, hemorrhoids, fluid retention, obesity, fatigue, stress, constipation, allergies, and hay fever. Cleanses the blood, tones the nervous system, retards ageing, stimulates the mind, controls the appetite, stimulates production of cortisone, and is believed to enhance the healing power of other herbs."
"For reasons unknown at this time, echinacea in high doses tends to promote continued immune system stimulation rather than balanced immune function. This is not true of most [herbal] tonics. Most behave like yerba mate', a more of less whole body tonic; yerba mate', even in large amounts, continues to promote balance in many body systems without overstimulating any system."...
"Of the many immunomodulators in the plant kingdom, I think the best are lapacho, echinacea, astragalus, yerba mate', licorice root and all species of ginseng."
"Smilax together with ginseng and yerba mate' would act to enhance the physical development of muscle tissue. These would help oxygenate cells and help them burn calories. The entire musculoskeletal system would benefit."...
"Last but certainly not least, I believe a modern elixir should address energy production. The solution in a liquid extract is to combine the only really good herbs for this effect, yerba mate' and ginseng species. First, it contains significant amounts of the South American herb yerba mate'.This would give the product a natural energy wallop not shared by other liquid herbal extracts. This natural energy would not interfere with the ability to sleep. On the contrary, it would help regulate sleep cycles and produce a better sleep. It would also allow one to work longer without fatigue, get more done, and feel better about doing it. Indirectly, then, the nervous system benefits, as stress and anxiety are reduced, muscle tension lessens and performance effectiveness increases."
For more information:
http://www.healthfree.com/herbgarden/yerbaxan.htm
http://www.alternativemedicine.com/digest/issue27/27055R00.shtml
In Dallas you can buy Argentinean yerba mate, among some other places, at
"Mas Latina"
2809 N. McArthur Blvd, Irving TX
(972) 570 4955
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