Yerba Mate 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Yerba Mate – 100 g ($13.99), 50 g ($9.99), 25 g ($6.99)

Benefits:
Antioxidants and nutrients  Yerba mate contains several beneficial plant compounds, including:
Xanthines: These compounds act as stimulants. They include caffeine and theobromine, which are also found in tea, coffee, and chocolate.
Caffeoyl derivatives: These compounds are the main health-promoting antioxidants in the tea.
Saponins: These bitter compounds have certain anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties.
Polyphenols: This is a large group of antioxidants, linked to a reduced risk of many diseases.

Interestingly, according to one older study, the antioxidant power of yerba mate tea is similar to that of green tea. Yerba mate also contains several other important micronutrients, including vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin B6. Plus, it provides some potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and iron.

Energy and Mental Focus  At 80 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per cup, yerba mate contains about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, so it is similarly energizing. Caffeine can also affect the levels of certain signalling molecules in your brain, making it particularly beneficial for your mental focus. Some research reports that caffeine can improve alertness, attention, and reaction time in participants who consumed a single dose containing 40–300 mg of caffeine. Additionally, those who regularly consume yerba mate often rave that it enhances alertness like coffee, but without the jittery side effects.

Physical Performance  Caffeine is also known to improve muscle contractions, reduce fatigue, and improve sports performance by up to 5%, according to some older studies. Since yerba mate contains a moderate amount of caffeine, those drinking it can expect similar physical performance benefits. In fact, in one 2014 study, those given a 1-gram (g) capsule of ground yerba mate leaves right before exercise burned 24% more fat during moderate intensity exercise. A higher reliance on fat for fuel during exercise spares your carb reserves for critical high intensity moments, such as cycling up a hill or sprinting towards the finish line. This could translate into better sports performance.

Infections  Yerba mate may help prevent infections from bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Some older test-tube studies found that a high dose of yerba mate extract deactivated E. coli, a bacteria that causes food poisoning symptoms like stomach cramps and diarrhea. Compounds in yerba mate may also prevent the growth of Malassezia furfur, a type of fungus responsible for scaly skin, dandruff, and certain skin rashes. Nevertheless, most of these studies were done on isolated cells. It’s currently unclear if these benefits are the same for humans, and more high quality, recent research is needed.

Weight And Belly Fat  Some research suggests that yerba mate may help support weight management and could be effective for reducing body weight, belly fat, and body mass index. It seems to decrease the total number of fat cells and reduce the amount of fat they hold. Human research suggests that it can also increase the amount of stored fat that’s burned for energy. Furthermore, in a 2015 study in people with overweight, those given 3 g of yerba mate powder per day lost an average of 1.5 pounds (lbs), or 0.7 kilograms (kg). They also reduced their waist-to-hip ratio by 2%, which indicates lost belly fat. In comparison, the participants given a placebo gained an average of 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) and increased their waist-to-hip ratio by 1% over the same 12-week period.

Blood Sugar  Yerba mate may help lower blood sugar and reduce complications associated with diabetes. In fact, one animal study found that it could even improve insulin signalling. It may also reduce the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which are involved in the development and worsening of many conditions, including diabetes. In one 2011 study, people with type 2 diabetes consumed 11 ounces (oz), or 330 milliliters (ml), of yerba mate three times daily. After 2 months, they had significantly lower levels of fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c, a marker of long-term blood sugar control.

Heart Disease  Yerba mate contains antioxidant compounds, such as caffeoyl derivatives and polyphenols, which may protect against heart disease. Some animal studies also report that mate extract may provide some protection against heart disease. In humans, yerba mate seems to reduce cholesterol levels. One study in 119 females with overweight found that daily consumption of yerba mate led to reductions total and LDL (bad) cholesterol over a 12-week period. What’s more, yerba mate also significantly reduced levels of triglycerides when paired with a low calorie diet.

Botanical Name: Ilex paraguariensis
English: Yerba Mate
Also, known as: Mate Tea, Yerba Mate, Paraguay Tea, Jesuit’s Brazil Tea, Mate, Erva Mate, Congonha, Erveira, Paraguay Cayi, Paraguay Tea, Jesuits’ Tea, St Bartholomew’s Tea, South American Holly, Matéteestrauch, Erva-Verdadeira, Hervea, Caminu, Kkiro, Kali Chaye, Ka’a
Habitat: Native to South America
Origin: Brazil
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Leaves

General Information:
Yerba Mate is a national drink in some countries in South America, especially in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, and Brazil. Less astringent and contains less tannin than ordinary tea.

Ilex paraguariensis, is a dioecious evergreen tree which grows up to 18 to 20 m tall. The leaves are 5-10 cm long, 3-5 cm wide, green, alternate, a leathery consistency, coriaceous and obovate with a serrate margin and obtuse apex. The inflorescences are in corymboid fascicles, the male ones in a dichasium with three to 11 flowers, the female ones with one or three flowers. The flowers are small, and simple, number four or five and have a whitish corolla. The fruits are small red berries about 4-6mm in diameter containing 4 seeds apiece.

It was Spanish explorers first reported that the Guarani people, and the Tupi people in Brazil, brewed a drink resulting in an experience of ‘exhilaration and relief form fatigue The Spanish Conquistadors were responsible for opening the significant trade routes for yerba mate, which eventually led to the immense commercial supply today. Argentina, the main producer and consumer, grows around 130000 ha of mate in the northeast of the country, Misiones and Corrientes which produce about 140000 tons per year. Brazil is the world’s second producer, followed by Paraguay:

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.