Yerba Mate Leaf

Health Benefits of Yerba Mate
Yerba Mate acts as a diuretic, tonic and stimulant that helps to lower fatigue, aids gastric function and also suppress appetite. It is used as a depurative that promotes elimination of waste. The bitter qualities found in Yerba Mate supports digestion. It is useful for nervous depression, weight loss, psychogenic, physical and mental fatigue, headaches and rheumatic pains. Yerba Mate is a well-known for losing weight in Germany. It possesses xanthine which is a chemical that enhance metabolism and is also rich in pantothenic acid that prevents overstimulation of nervous system. The antioxidant properties enhance immunity which is helpful for preventing flu and colds.

Lose weight
Polyphenols such as phenolic acids and flavonoids found in Yerba Mate inhibits enzymes such as lipoprotein lipase and pancreatic lipase which plays vital role in metabolism of fats. Polyphenols lowers triglycerides, serum levels of glucose and LDL. It slows gastric emptying that helps to increase satiety. It lowers the absorption of dietary fats and also alters the metabolism of cholesterol. In addition, it is not recommended over physical exercise and diet. It slows down digestion process so the stomach becomes full for long time period. Add Yerba Mate along with regular exercise and healthy diet that promotes metabolism that burns more calories and helps to eat less.

Prevent colon cancer
The caffeine derivatives found in Yerba Mate tea leads to death in colon cancer cells along with lowering markers of inflammation which promotes the progression of cancer. As its DNA is damaged, the cancer cell destructs itself. It is able to induce cell death or apoptosis in all cancer types. The mechanism has been identified which leads to death of cells. The result derived from the conducted study shows that the caffeine derivatives found in Yerba Mate tea possess anti-cancer properties and also helpful for diseases related with inflammation. (1)

Treat inflammation
Yerba Mate is attributed for phenolic compounds. The study results antimicrobial activity of ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Yerba Mate against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Enteritidis, Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli which are food pathogens. The research shows that Yerba Mate has antimicrobial properties that prevent the health conditions caused by bacteria named E. coli. It has flavonoids which is effective to lower inflammation. The anti-inflammatory properties found in Yerba Mate helps to lower the chances of chronic diseases and also promote overall health. (2)

Strengthen immunity
Yerba Mate contains saponins and polyphenols. Saponins are phytochemicals which are found in abundant amount naturally. It is beneficial for cancer, blood cholesterol levels and bone health. It promotes immunity and prevents body against diseases. It has anti-inflammatory activity. The intake of Yerba Mate increases phytochemicals intake that helps to strengthen body’s immunity naturally. The plant based compounds harmonize overactive immune response that leads to inflammatory bowel disease, seasonal allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and diabetes.

Nutrient intake
Yerba Mate has Vitamin C, A, B1, E, B2, B complex, B5 and Niacin. Besides vitamins, it also contains minerals such as manganese, calcium, selenium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and phosphorus. Additionally, it possess health promoting compounds such as fatty acids, carotene, flavonols, chlorophyll, fatty acids, trace minerals, inositol, polyphenols, tannins, fatty acids, antioxidants and 15 amino acids. One cup of Yerba Mate provides all these nutrients which promote overall health.

Lowers cholesterol
The study shows that Yerba Mate tea promotes serum lipid level by lowering the level of cholesterol. The study shows that intake of Yerba Mate lowers bad cholesterol. The reduction of bad cholesterol lowers the chances of various cardiovascular ailments. Yerba Mate prevents the conditions such as irregular heartbeat, heart failure and low blood pressure. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties protect cardiovascular health and heart health. Theobromine found in Yerba Mate relaxes blood vessels that allow better flow of blood. It prevents the chances of arteriosclerosis and blood clots that leads to stroke and heart attack. The research shows that Yerba Mate has good impact on lipid parameters and also lowers LDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients. Its intake protects myocardial tissue of heart and lowers oxidative stress caused due to reactive oxygen species.

Bone health
An intake of Yerba Mate tea promotes the bone density even in those people who don’t exercise. The study shows that the post-menopausal women drank Yerba mate tea regularly which results in greater bone density in spines by 10% in comparison to those who did not consume. Yerba Mate contains various minerals which are needed for mineral density of bones in the body. Phosphorus, iron, calcium, zinc and potassium are the parts of process that prevents the chances of osteoporosis.

Mental activity
Caffeine is found in moderate amounts in Yerba Mate which is used as a psychoactive drug. It helps to promote mood, memory and alertness. It stimulates production of neurotransmitter dopamine. Yerba mate also possesses compounds such as theophylline and theobromine along with caffeine. These alkaloids provide mild stimulant effects similar to green tea. Yerba Mate tea has vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants and polyphenols that provide balancing effect on caffeine. It increases mental focus, clarity and energy. The antioxidants found in Yerba Mate tea prevent deposition of plaque in brain that counteracts the effects of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease as well.

Supports digestion
Yerba Mate tea has been used by South American people as an aid for digestive problems. It supports digestion by stimulating increased production of gastric acids and bile. It effectively cleans colon and eliminates waste and also lowers stomach bacteria that causes bad breathe. It increases the flow of bile and enhance intestinal tract. The plant of Mate has unique compounds such as xanthines that promote relaxation of muscles that is good for digestion and prevents bloating, constipation, cramping and other digestive problems.

Antioxidant activity
The intake of Yerba Mate contains various phytochemicals such as chlorogenic acid, polyphenols and caffeoyl derivatives which acts as antioxidants. The research shows that the extracts of Yerba Mate lower oxidative stress which increases the chances of damage to heart and liver. It lowers nitrosative stress that damages DNA, lipid peroxidation and cell death. In comparison to the green tea, Yerba Mate effectively prevents cytotoxicity related with restriction of blood flower heart disorders like stroke. The antioxidant activities help in prevention of heart disease, blood flow problems, autoimmune disorders and prevents aging.

Traditional uses

Yerba Mate is used as a treatment for fatigue, psychogenic headache, rheumatic pains, nervous depression and headache related with fatigue.
Dried and roasted leaves are used for medicinal purposes.
The herb is used for physical and mental fatigue.
Yerba Mate is used internally in folk medicine for treating anemia, ulcers, rheumatism, depression, neurasthenia and as a prophylaxis against infections and fevers and as a diuretic for oliguria.
Use it as a poultice externally for inflammation and ulcers.
This herb is useful for treating poor digestion.
An infusion could be prepared by pouring boiled water in 1 teaspoonful of drug and let it remain for 5-10 minutes and then strain it. This infused drink is less astringent, more stimulating and also tastes better.
It is able to stimulate central nervous system.
Yerba Mate is beneficial for cardiovascular health and assist in managing obesity.
The polyphenols in Yerba Mate assist to enhance immunity, lower the chances of diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia and also relieve allergies.
Yerba Mate helps to suppress appetite, lose weight, also helps to burn more calories, increase focus, supply of oxygen and nutrient to heart, promote sleep and enhance mood.
It is used to prevent cancer as it could stop the growth of cancer cells.
The plant is useful to provide relief from mental and physical stress, urinary tract infections, joints, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome.
It is used for treating heart complaints such as irregular heartbeat, heart failure and low blood pressure.
It is an aid for kidney stones and bladder problems.
In Brazil, it is used for renal colic, digestive problems, obesity, nerve pain, fatigue and depression.
Apply it topically for ulcers, burns and antibacterial patch.