Aquifoliaceae
Maté
Ilex paraguariensis
⚠ Use with Caution
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: South America (Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina)
Also known as: Yerba Maté, Paraguay Tea, Jesuit's Tea, Chimarrão
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Leaf
Therapeutic Uses
Physical and mental fatigue, weight management, athletic performance, cardiovascular protection, type 2 diabetes. South American cultural beverage with significant therapeutic evidence.
Herbal Actions
Stimulant (caffeine-dominant), antioxidant, thermogenic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-fatigue
Active Constituents
Methylxanthines (caffeine 0.7–1.7%, theobromine, theophylline), chlorogenic acids, quercetin, rutin, saponins (ilexsaponins), vitamins B and C, minerals
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea💊 Capsule🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 2–3 tsp loose herb per 250ml, 70–80°C water, steep 3–5 min, 2–3 cups daily |
| Tincture | Standardized extract: 300–500mg 2x daily |
| Notes | Traditional preparation: gourd (mate gourd) with metal straw (bombilla). Hot water 70–80°C not boiling. Avoid drinking very hot (above 70°C consistently — oesophageal cancer risk). South American cultural tradition. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
⚠ Use with Caution
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Caffeine: avoid in insomnia, anxiety, hypertension, arrhythmias. VERY HOT drinking consistently linked to oesophageal cancer. Avoid with stimulants. Caution in pregnancy.
Side Effects: Caffeine effects. Oesophageal cancer (very hot, chronic heavy use). Anxiety, insomnia. Tachycardia. Iron absorption reduction.