Yerba Maté (Ilex paraguariensis)
What is Yerba Maté?
Yerba maté is a tall tree native to the Amazon rainforest. The leaves are used as a tea for promoting energy, concentration, and as a general health tonic.
The thick, leathery leaves of the yerba mate tree contain a combination of stimulating alkaloids like caffeine, theobromine, and a small amount of theophylline.
The caffeine and theobromine in the leaves provide a stimulating effect and make the tea useful for promoting wakefulness and concentration. A lot of people use it as an alternative to coffee.
Traditional preparations of yerba mate requires a special cup traditionally made from a calabash gourd, and a straw with a filter on one end referred to as a bombilla.
In parts of South America yerba maté tea is more popular than coffee, and is a staple at social gatherings.
Featured Yerba Maté
What is Yerba Maté Used For?
Yerba Maté is useful as a daily tea to promote productivity and wakefulness. It’s also a potent source of antioxidants and is useful as a daily tonic for the cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological systems.
Yerba maté is also commonly used alongside weight loss regimens and those trying to reach a state of ketosis thanks to some thermogenic benefits of the active ingredients.
Common Uses of Yerba Maté Tea
Working or studying late
Athletic support
Promoting ketosis
To wake-up faster in the morning
In groups as a social practice
As a replacement for coffee
What Are The Benefits of Yerba Maté?
The benefits of this herb are very similar to that of coffee or tea. It’s popular in the morning to help users feel more alert and energized or to assist work or study effort.
Yerba maté is also commonly consumed in social circles with friends and family.
There are also many people who simply drink yerba maté for the ritual and unique herbal flavor.
The herb is also a rich source of health-promoting antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, alkaloids, saponins, and more.
The Benefits of Yerba Maté Include:
Increases mental and physical energy levels
May supports fat burning and weight loss
Protects and tones the cardiovascular system
Supports cognitive function during work or study
Protects and tones the kidneys
Reduces appetite to support weight loss
May reduce symptoms of diabetes
Traditional Uses of Yerba Maté
Traditionally, yerba mate leaves were either chewed or steeped in hot water to make a strong tea. The most common use of the herb is in the traditional tea prepared with a calabash gourd and bamboo straw (bombilla).
In Brazil, this herb is used to boost energy, for digestive complaints, nerve pain, depression, fatigue, and to support weight loss. it's also a common alternative to coffee all around South America.
A poultice of yerba maté has also been used to treat for anthrax skin ulcers [16].
Some remnants of yerba mate powder that has been found inside Incan tombs suggest the plant was linked to prestige — however, there's a lot of disagreement on whether yerba mate was much used by indigenous cultures in pre-colonial times or not [3].
Most of the history of yerba maté owes itself to the role of the Jesuit missionaries who funded a lot of their mission communities by setting up yerba maté plantations around Paraguay and other regions of South America before the Spanish government kicked them out of South America for good.
Herb Details: Yerba Maté
How to Prepare Yerba Maté Tea
You can find yerba mate in just about any format — loose-leaf tea, teabags, capsules, and tinctures. You can even find pre-made yerba mate drinks in cans.
While any of these formats work just fine for providing a boost in energy and delivering a high dose of antioxidant compounds — the traditional method of preparation is the most popular by far.
Here’s a brief summary on how to prepare yerba maté the traditional way:
Step 1: Fill The yerba maté Gourd About 50% Full of Dried Leaves
Using a traditional calabash gourd, or an equivalent-sized cup, pour the dried yerba mate leaves directly inside. You’ll want to fill the gourd up about 50% of the way.
If you like your yerba a little stronger you can fill it up to about the 70% mark.
Step 2: Tilt the Gourd to 45 Degrees
you want to settle the leaves in a 45 degree angle inside the gourd. To do this you can simply tilt the cup to 45 degrees and give it a little shake until the leaves settle.
Taking this a step further, you can place your hand on the top of the gourd to cover the leaves, and tilt it upside down first, before moving it to a 45 degree angle. This step helps remove some of the yerba mate dust and improves the flavor of the tea.
The reason you want to do this is to create two sections in the gourd — half contains the yerba mate itself, the other half is the reservoir where you can add the bombilla and water during later steps.
Step 3: Fill The Gourd With “Dummy Water” (Cold Water)
The first wash of the maté brew should be done with cold water. This helps to hydrate the leaves and avoid damaging the beneficial antioxidants with boiling hot water for the first wast.
Add some cold or lukewarm water to the gourd and let it sit for a minute or two so the leaves can absorb the water.
The water level will begin to go down as the leaves absorb the water. You don’t need to add any more water so just leave the gourd until the leaves soak all the water up.
Step 4: Add the Bombilla
Once your yerba has been rehydrated it’s time to add the bombilla.
You can add the bombilla by placing it in the reservoir of water in the gourd, and tucking it into the bottom of your yerba mate pile.
Step 5: Add Hot Water & Drink!
The next step is to add the hot water. Always add the water to the reservoir section of the gourd.
After you’ve added the water you can start to drink!
To drink your yerba, simply suck on the end of the bombilla like a straw. Once the tea is done you just need to fill it back up with water from your tea kettle or a thermos filled with hot water.
You can get about 20 washes from a single cup of yerba mate.
Most mate drinkers will keep a thermos nearby full of hot water to continue filling up their mate throughout the day.
Yerba Maté Supplies: Traditional South American Style
The traditional method of consumption is very simple once you have an idea about how it works and the process can be quite enjoyable.
In order to get started drinking yerba maté this way, you’ll need a few things.
1. The Bombilla (Yerba Maté Filter Straw)
The bombilla is the special straw with a filter in the bottom to prevent any of the leaves from going into the mouth while you drink your yerba maté. This device is unique to yerba mate tea.
The traditional straw is made from bamboo with some slits in the bottom, but this is rarely used these days because it has a tendency to clog up. Instead, most of the bombillas you’ll find today are made from metal.
There are many different shapes and sizes of bombillas available. Each option has its own benefits and uses. Aside from a few styles designed for a particular type of yerba mate, the choice is up to you.
2. The Gourd (yerba Maté Cup)
Maté in the name yerba maté refers to the gourd the herb is drank from.
Traditionally, this was made from a calabash gourd that’s been hollowed out and cured. You can still buy this type of gourd today, but they tend to add an undesirable bitter flavor to the brew. Calabash gourds also mould easily and don’t last as long as other materials.
Better options are wooden, metal, glass, and plastic gourds.
3. Thermos
Drinking yerba mate the traditional way involves refilling your cup many times (called a wash). Fill it up with water, drink it in a few gulps, and refill it again.
You’ll need a thermos to keep your water hot in between these washes.
it doesn’t matter what kind of thermos you use to drink yerba maté as long as it keeps your water hot. I recommend going for a 750 mL thermos like this one to avoid having to refill it before the leaves are fully spent.
The Botany of the Yerba Maté Tree
Yerba maté is contained within the Aquifoliaceae family of plants, otherwise known as the holly family. There are about 300 different species in this family, spread between only four genus’ with the majority being contained within the Ilex genus. Out of all these species of Ilex, Ilex paraguariensis is preferred by far as medicine. Another species, Ilex guyusa is also popular in some parts of South America, including Ecuador — however, there is far less research on this species than the former.
Yerba mate is a medium sized, slow growing, evergreen tree, growing to a height of 15-20 meters in the wild. When cultivated it is not uncommon for this to be trained into a 4-8 meter shrub instead [16].
As part of the holly family (Aquifoliaceae), it bears the leathery, stiff, leaves that are common in this family. Leaves are oblong, toothed, and dull-mid color green. Has white flowers, and red fruit [13].
The species most commonly used medicinally, as well as recreationally, is Illex paraguariensis, and this is the species sold commercially as well. Another species, Illex guayusa is more commonly referred to as Guayusa (pronounced why-yoo-sah), is used traditionally in Ecuador for much the same purposes, however there is much less scientific literature studying this species, and can be difficult to find commercially.
The wild plant is reported to be unmatched in flavour to cultivated samples.
More Common Names of Yerba Maté
yerba maté goes by many names depending on which region of the world you’re in.
Here are some of the common names for the herb:
Yerba Maté, Maté, Erva Maté, Congonha, Erveria, Paraguay Cayi, Terere, Kkiro, Kali Chaye, Paraguay Tea, South American Holly, Mateteestrauch, Erva Verdadeira, St. Bartholomews Tea, Jesuits Tea, Chimarrão.
Yerba Maté vs. Coffee
Yerba maté is a natural stimulant but tends to have less side effects than coffee.
The jitteriness, anxiety, and general overstimulated symptoms easily brought on with coffee are much harder to reach with yerba maté for several reasons.
There is a myth going around that the reason is because yerba maté contains a different alkaloid known as "mateine" rather than caffeine.
Promoters suggest that this chemical is special because it provides the same stimulating, cognitive improving, and energy enhancing effects as the caffeine from coffee, but miraculously has absolutely NO known side effects.
Like anything else, if it's too good to be true, it most likely isn't true...
Yerba mate has a high concentration of caffeine — up to 2% of the dried leaf by weight. This compares to coffee with 2.2% by dried and roasted seed weight.
The effects of the caffeine are exactly the same as they were in coffee or tea. It stimulates the central nervous system (CNS), promotes vasoconstriction (tightening of the arteries to increase pressure), adenosine antagonism (to promote wakefulness), and improve the force of contraction in the heart.
These actions all work together to help keep you awake and energized.
Yerba mate offers the additional benefits of a related alkaloid known as "theobromine".
This alkaloid is also stimulating to the CNS, though much gentler, and has a few opposite effects on the arteries and peripheral blood vessels of the body.
In effect, theobromine works to combat many of the side effects like jitteriness, anxiety, and dizziness and helps to open up the airways to the lungs, adding further benefit to cognition and physical performance.
This alkaloid is most commonly found in the chocolate plant (Theobroma cacao).
Yerba mate contains theobromine in concentrations of about 0.5% of the dried leaf weight.
Compare this to coffee, which has about <0.1% theobromine.
How Yerba Maté is Made
Ever wonder how yerba mate is made? This process is actually very similar to green and black tea — with some key differences.
Learn how yerba maté is harvested, roasted, cured, and ground.
Wild-Harvesting Yerba Maté
Terrafeiros or Yebateros (otherwise called mate gatherers) travel through the jungle in search for a stand of yerba maté trees (called mancha) to harvest its leaves. This typically takes place between May and October when the leaves are at their fullest. The leaves of a yerba maté tree are usually only picked once every three years to preserve them for subsequent harvests.
Cultivating Yerba Maté
Most yerba maté on the market today is farmed. The largest suppliers of the herb are Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil.
It takes roughly 4 years before Illex paraguariensis is ready to harvest for the first time — after which it's harvested every two to four years, depending on the farmer.
The first harvest can yield around 1–2 kg of leaves, but after a few decades, the trees will produce closer to 100 kgs each harvest [3, 16].
Yerba Maté Farm in Paraguay
Processing Fresh Yerba Maté Leaves
There are many different ways to prepare yerba mate into tea. Each farmer will use their own method to get the leaves ready to be sold as a tea.
Each method will affect the flavor of the final product — so there's a lot of diversity in flavor profiles of yerba maté tea depending on the company you buy from. This is very similar to tea (Camellia sinensis) and coffee (Coffea arabica) — which can have very different flavors depending on how it was processed after harvest.
Large scale farms have mechanized the process and increased efficiency, but it's the small farms that take special care in the preparation of this herb that produces the highest quality and best flavor.
There are many brands that sell yerba maté — each delivering a unique quality and flavor palate in their product.
One of the most common methods of preparing yerba maté tea is to cut the branches of the tree and hold it over an open fire (called sapecado). This process is meant to deactivate the enzymes in the leaves that cause the active compounds to break down (very similar process to tea). This process makes the leaves brittle and helps maintain the green color during the rest of the processing stages.
The next step is to finish drying the leaves over indirect heat (called secado).
Once dried, the leaves are coarsely ground (called canchada or mborobire).
At this point, the herb can be packaged up and consumed as is or aged an additional six months before being ground into an even finer powder (called molida). [3, 16].
Other methods involve par-blanching the leaves in boiling water (also to deactivate the enzymes), then toasted dry in a pan over a fire or in a brick oven, which will produce a brown colored tea as a finished product.
Scientific Studies Involving Yerba Maté
+ Antibacterial Effects
Aqueous extract of yerba mate (Taragui; Argentina), has been shown to produce bactericidal, and inhibitory effects against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The antibiotic effects of yerba mate rely on compounds such as citric acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, quinic acid, and one unidentified compound [2].
Another group of researchers found that alcohol-extracts of yerba mate were active against Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella Enteritidis. Researchers in this study suggested the antibacterial effects were due to a series of phenolic compounds — mainly gallic, syringic, caffeic, ferulic and ρ-coumaric acids [7].
+ Yerba Maté & Diabetes
Yerba mate has been found to "inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGE), with an effect comparable to that of two pharmaceutical AGE inhibitor drugs" [16] (page 450).
Other studies report chlorogenic acid may be responsible for the herbs effects on glucose metabolism, and is thought to modulate glucose-6-phosphatase activity [4].
One study found that only the roasted yerba mate leaf produced this action in type 2 diabetic and prediabetic patients [5].
+ Yerba Maté & High Cholesterol
Yerba mate saponins have been reported to interfere with cholesterol metabolism [4].
Another study found that both green and roasted yerba mate infusions lowered LDL cholesterol, and increased HDL cholesterol levels in healthy patients. The herb has a stronger effect on people who had high cholesterol that are also on statin medications. It's also notably more effective for prediabetic and diabetic (type 2) patients. [5].
+ Yerba Maté & Inflammation
Some of the active ingredients in yerba maté were found to inhibit lipoxygenase — which is an key enzyme involved in the inflammatory process [16].
The anti-inflammatory effects of yerba mate also result from its ability to reduce adipose mass (weightloss benefits) [4].
Yerba maté was also shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory action by suppressing NF-kB signaling [15].
+ Antioxidant Profile of Yerba Maté
Yerba mate is a potent source of antioxidant compounds.
One study found that yerba mate was able to increase the lifespan of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans — which is an organism commonly used to test longevity.
This study should not be considered conclusive, but offers good reason to study this effect further.
Researchers in the nematode study attributed these effects to a synergy between the antioxidant compounds in the herb with other medicinal components [9].
+ Yerba Maté & Atherosclerosis
Yerba mate has shown promise towards inhibiting lipid peroxidation in the arteries — which is considered the initiating factor in atherosclerosis.
Combined with other synergistic actions including antioxidant, cholesterol inhibitory, hypoglycemic, as well as some gene modulatory (paraoxonase-2) activity may prevent the mechanisms involved with atherosclerosis [4, 7, 16].
+ Yerba Maté For Boosting Energy
There are three main xanthine alkaloids contained in yerba mate (caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline) — all of which are known central nervous system stimulants.
These compounds work by stimulating the adrenergic system (involved with the waking portion of the sleep wake cycle as well as the fight or flight response), and by inhibiting a compound called adenosine.
Adenosine builds up naturally throughout the day. As concentrations rise, it causes a delay in the electrical transmission between nerve cells — which slows brain activity and makes us feel tired. Caffeine, in particular, inhibits adenosine and can even kick adenosine off receptors it's already bound to — making us feel more alert and awake.
+ Yerba Maté for Weight Loss
A study investigating the effects of yerba maté on mice fed a high-fat diet found the herb had a modulatory effect on the expression of several genes related to obesity [4].
It should be noted that the Yerba mate extract referred to in the study was in fact an instant Yerba mate powder at a dose of 1g /kg, prepared daily in water. This study also noted decreased serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and glucose compared to the control group, which all have shown direct correlation with obesity.
It is likely that through the synergistic actions of the combined effects of yerba mate on cholesterol, LDL oxidation, blood glucose, and visceral fat accumulation, rather than one individual action.
Yerba mates modulatory effect on the expression of several genes related with obesity is also of significant finding because this could indicate that yerba mate has an impact on both the treatment of obesity, as well as its prevention.
Interestingly, researchers in one study noted that the effects of early weaning off breast milk is connected to the development of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and insulin resistance later in life [11]. In this study yerba mate's effects on mice exposed to early weaning off breast milk, were investigated. Researches reported that a yerba mate extraction (aqueous) was able to normalize most of the alterations noted in the mice subjected to early weaning. They also suggested that the effects were due in part to hypothalamic mechanisms (the only source so far the author has found that suggests this, though is a significant finding), and showed possible use for other endocrine-metabolic diseases as well.
More research is needed to identify the true extent of yerba mate's weight loss supportive benefits.
Phytochemistry of Yerba Maté
The primary active constituents of Yerba mate are xanthine alkaloids such as caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline.
Other active ingredients include as well as saponins (including some novel saponins), chlorogenic acid (10%), caffeic acid, sterols, and various polyphenols (mainly quercetin, and rutin).
Yerba mate is also a rich source of vitamins and minerals, as well as 15 different amino acids [4, 16].
The "Mateine" Myth
Yerba mate has had some claims passed around that it does not contain caffeine, but a different chemical called mateine, which has the same effects but no caffeine side effects.
This is simply not the case.
Caffeine is a known constituent of yerba mate — confirmed dozens of times in the scientific literature.
The caffeine content in Yerba mate is between 0.7 and 2% — with the average being around 1%.
The active alkaloids such as caffeine and theobromine are bound to tannins, sugars, or phenols. These compounds are released during the heating process.
The "mateine" eluded to in some of the older research, is likely to be caffeine still bound to the sugar, tannin, or phenol before it's been exposed to heat.
Yerba Maté Caffeine Content
Yerba mate contains between 0.7 and 2% caffeine — which is slightly less caffeine on average than coffee (Coffea spp.) (1% – 2.5%), but more than dark chocolate (Theobroma cacao) (0.25%).
Guarana (Paulinia cupana) is highest natural source of caffeine (4 – 8%), followed by black tea (Camellia sinensis) (black tea) (2.5% – 4.5%).
Is Yerba Maté Safe?
Some people are sensitive to caffeine and should avoid or use yerba maté cautiously.
If you’re using yerba maté for the first time it’s wise to start with a very small amount to see how it affects you first. Once you get a feel for how strong the herb is you can increase the dose.
In general, yerba mate is a very safe herb and is well tolerated by most people. It’s much less likely to result in side effects like anxiety or jitteriness compared to caffeine, and has very few reported side effects.
Too much yerba mate can still make you feel anxious, jittery, or find it difficult to fall asleep.
+ When to Avoid Yerba Maté Tea
- If you suffer from insomnia
- If you're sensitive to caffeine or threobromine
- If you suffer from severe anxiety
- If you have hypertension (high blood pressure)
- If you've been diagnosed with heart disease
Synergy: Herbs to Take With Yerba Maté
There are a few herbs people often combine with yerba mate to improve its effect profile. Here are some of the most popular combinations:
Damiana
Damiana is another herb found growing in the same region as yerba mate. It’s used as a euphoric and mild sedative. It’s often combined with yerba mate to improve its flavor and balance out the stimulating effects of the herb.
Guarana
Guarana is often mixed with yerba mate to prolong gastric emptying. This effects helps you feel full longer after a meal for promoting weight-loss.
Passionflower — Passionflower also comes from South America and is commonly found growing on yerba mate trees. This herb is a mild sedative, MAO inhibitor, and relaxant. It combines well with yerba mate tea for reducing some of the common side effects of the herb like anxiety or insomnia.
Shizandra
Schizandra berry comes from a completely different part of the world (Asia). It has a unique flavor that compliments yerba mate nicely, adding a mild salty and tart flavor to the blend. This berry also works to simulate parts of the liver that metabolize caffeine and other xanthine alkaloids — making it a perfect addition for people who are especially sensitive to the stimulating effects of caffeine.
Yerba Maté Terms & Definitions
+ Amargo
“Mate Amargo” means yerba mate that has no additives, such as sugar, agave, honey, lemon, milk, etc.
+ Algarrobo
A common type of wood, aka carob, used to make yerba mate gourds in Argentina.
+ Bombilla
The filtered straw used to sip yerba mate.
+ Canchada
Coarsely ground yerba mate.
+ Cebador
The person who prepares the mate in a mate circle.
+ Chimarrão
Brazilian term meaning yerba mate prepared in hot water without sugar.
+ Despalada
Mate without any stems. A synonym is “sin palos.”
+ Dulce
Mate dulce means sugar has been added to the yerba mate. Sugar is usually added before the hot water is added.
+ Gaucho
Gaucho mate is yerba mate that is common in Brazil and Uruguay and uses very strong, often powdery, yerba mate cuts.
+ Guayusa
Refers to the plant Illex guayusa.
+ Lavado
Spanish for “wash,” used in reference to yerba mate meaning the brew has become watery and needs to be replaced with new leaves. “The mate is lavado.”
+ Maté (also called guampa)
The gourd or vessel used to prepare and drink yerba mate
+ Mate cocido
Hot coals atop a pile of yerba mate, and sprinkling sugar over the leaves caramelizing the sugar before the whole mixture is poured into boiling water.
+ Matero
Yerba mate enthusiast
+ Mborobire
Coarsely ground yerba mate.
+ Mineros
Meaning “mine workers.” This referred to early yerba mate harvesters in Paraguay, due to yerba mate being classified as a mineral during that time for economic reasons.
+ Molida
Finely ground mate, usually the finished product that is then packaged and shipped around the world for consumption.
+ Palos
Small white twigs included in some yerba mate to enhance its flavor, providing added sweetness and adds smooth flavor to the mate.
+ Palo santo
Bulnesia sarmientoi. This Amazonian wood is often used to make mate gourds, offering its strong, dense, and aromatic qualities. A gourd made of this wood imparts a smoky, pine-like taste to the beverage. Often found in Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia. The resin of this wood has healing properties of its own.
+ Polvo
Meaning powder. This refers to the dust contained in Yerba mate preparations. Many companies will remove this dust, however, in a small amount, this polvo will help the mate stick together, and impart added flavor, making the cycle last longer.
+ Sin Palo
Yerba mate without twigs, some consider the mate is harsher without these twigs.
+ Tapado
Meaning clogged. This term refers to the bombilla used to drink yerba mate when it becomes plugged. “El mate este tapado.”
+ Terrafeiros
Wild yerba mate harvesters.
+ Terere (Portuguese)
Yerba mate that is brewed cold comes from traditions in Paraguay due to the hot summer months.
+ Secado
The process where yerba mate is dried over a gentle heat usually takes place after sepecado.
+ Sapecado
The process of cutting yerba mate branches, and holding them over a fire to halt the oxidation process from occurring, and discoloring the leaves during drying.
+ Yerba canchada
Refers to the roasted, dried, and coarsely ground Illex paraguariensis “tea” that has not been aged further, or ground finely the way most yerba mate is sold.
+ Yerbales
Yerba mate orchards
+ Yebateros
Wild yerba mate harvesters
+ Yuyos
Herbs and roots used in traditional remedies in Paraguay that are then added to yerba mate. Some examples include peppermint, cilantro, chamomile, etc.