|
 The beneficent and therapeutic effects of the yerba-maté have been presently confirmed by numerous scientific studies.
Its chemical properties are similar to the tea, although more nutritive.
They have significant quantities of potassium, sodium, magnesium, and manganese in the leaves and in the infusion.
They also have vitamins B-1, B-2, C, A, riboflavine, carotene, coline, pantotechnical acid, inossitol and 15 types of amino acids. The existence of twelve polyphenols makes the yerba-maté highly healthy.
Studies recently made in the United States indicate that the polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that increase the natural body defenses and protect the bodies against the cellular destruction that causes the body to deteriorate and develop illness symptoms.
The mateina is a chemical substance of the xanteins family, proper of the yerba-maté.
Although it is like the caffein in the sense of being a stimulant of the nervous system and promoter of the mental activity, it is different because it does not intervene in the dream patterns. The matein is also a soft diuretic.
According to the effects of the yerba, we can notice changes in the behavior such as:
- An increase of energy and vitality
- A greater capacity of concentration
- Less nervousness and a greater resistance to the physical and mental fatigue
- A better mood
- It holds up the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles, (excellent natural energizing for people who do physical activities).
 The yerba-maté plant
The yerba-maté plant (Ilex-Paranguariensis) belongs to the acquifoliaceas family, of the always-green type, i.e. that has perennial leaves.
The tree is similar to the laurel, of a gray whitish trunk, 2 to 6 meters tall and about 30 or 40 centimeters in diameter. Its leaves are alternate, of a narrow basis and dented edge, they can be 8 to 10 centimeters wide.
The yerba-maté plant grows in wooded, subtropical and warm regions, in red and high lands, up to 400 meters above sea level. Among these regions we can name Chaco (Bolivian, Paraguayan and Argentine), the whole Paruguay Republic, Misiones, Brazil and some departments of Uruguay.
In these places the roots of the plant develop greatly in depth and volume. This explains its production period, which is near to 150 years. |
For more information about
mate and the life of gaucho visit
|
