Yerba Mate

You probably know the dried leaves of the evergreen tree called Paraguayan holly (Ilex paraguariensis) as Maté. The invigorating drink Yerba mate is prepared from crushed leaves, which South American inhabitants have been drinking since ancient times. Its strengthening and stimulating effects have made it a popular drink throughout South America, from which it has spread to North America over time. With the arrival of Spanish and Portuguese sailors, it began to appear in Europe and is now known in the rest of the world. What can this tea do and how to prepare it correctly?

Whether you have an important work meeting, an exam, a long car trip or a proper hike ahead of you, there is nothing that Maté cannot handle. Tea made from crushed holly leaves will give you energy, especially thanks to the combination of several alkaloids it contains – caffeine, theobromine and theophylline. Sometimes you may also find that it contains mateine, but this is just a misnomer for the combination of the listed substances.

Mate has effects similar to coffee, but it is much better tolerated, because thanks to the fact that several infusions are prepared from one dose, caffeine is released much more slowly than in coffee.

It is not only the alkaloids mentioned that make Mate a popular drink worldwide. Holly leaves also contain vitamins A, C and B vitamins, and minerals include calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, selenium, potassium, silicon and phosphorus. And it doesn't end there, it also contains 20 types of amino acids, antioxidants and other trace elements that are essential for our body. It is not for nothing that it is called the drink of the Gods.

Recently, biohacking - a conscious and active approach to one's own body - has been receiving more and more attention. And Mate has definitely not escaped the attention of biohackers. Its effects, such as reducing fatigue and exhaustion, refreshing the body, normalizing blood lipids and the ability to rid the body of excess water, make it an indispensable helper for every day. Thanks to it, you can easily cope with even the most demanding days. And with purely natural help.

If you follow the recommended dosage, there is no risk of any side effects. If you indulge in more than a small amount of the drink or extract, irritation, nausea, stomach problems or sleep disorders may occur. In any case, even if Mate is well tolerated, avoid it in case of pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as if you have cardiovascular problems or high blood pressure. It is also not suitable for small children because it contains caffeine.

Drinking this invigorating drink is deeply rooted among the people of South America. According to tradition, it is even obligatory to drink it in a larger group of people. This ritual has thus united families and entire tribes. Today it also works for getting to know random passers-by or entertaining visitors.

The whole ritual consists of the master preparing the first infusion and serving it to the first person. The person drinks the prepared drink and, after adding water, passes it to the person on their right. In the case of a larger group of people, he passes the calabash to the person sitting opposite. If you have had enough, you say thank you. The ritual ends only when the last person says thank you.

Traditional drinking also includes sacrifice. But don't worry, it's just the first infusion, or rather a sip, that is spit out on the ground as an offering to St. Thomas. The brewed Mate is offered to Mother Earth, Pachamama, by either scattering it across the field or burning it in a stove.

But don't worry, today you can sip your Mate alone at home or in the office, and no one will be mad at you.

This is an automatic machine translation.