Yerba Mate

Species Name: Ilex paraguariensis.

What is Yerba Mate: Yerba Mate is a tea drink that is used mainly in Southern America. It is brewed from dried leaves and stems of the Ilex paraguarensis tree. When growing in the wild the plant needs 25 years to develop completely.

Home Remedies using Yerba Mate:

Benefits of Yerba Mate:

There are a few different benefits of this herb from using just plain caffeine. It has a better state of wakefulness, being able to focus more. There are no negative effects that are found with some caffeine, like jitteriness and heart palpitations. Another benefit is that it can replace a coffee drink, but at the same time you want to be careful how long you use this type of herb.

Uses of Yerba Mate:

To use this herb you can boil the dried leaves in hot water. It is less potent then coffee and can be gentler on the stomach. This herb is said to have no caffeine, but research has found that it does have caffeine but in a low enough level that it is easier for most people to tolerate. Yerba mate can also be used as an appetite suppressant; it can also help you clear you mind. Also help you relief of allergies and improves sleep patterns.

This is mostly used in drinks. Using it like a tea or a coffee. This tea can be served hot or cold. There are some traditions that have been passed down using this tea from drinking the tea from a cured gourd, also drinking the tea from a silver straw that has a strainer at the end.

You can also add sugar and lemon to this tea to make the taste different make sure that you fallow any directions that come with the package. If you do want to take this herb, maybe think about using it once or twice a month. You can also find this herb in tea bags and use it that way. If you are not sure you are taking the right amount, contact a doctor and ask.

Side Effects of Yerba Mate:

There might be some nausea, nervousness and headache if using this herb. Make sure that you contact your doctor if any of these worsen. If you do have some serious side effects like stomach pain, yellowing of eyes and skin, contact your doctor right away.