Overview

Just about everyone has felt the jittery side effects of stimulants at one time or another. The herbal stimulant yerba mate, in contrast, gives your brain a boost without making you nervous. You feel alert and sharp. Interestingly, it actually works as a tonic for the central nervous system, calming the body and mind. It has been shown to improve mood and concentration, reduce anxiety, and prevent mental fatigue.

Usage

Amount: Most research concludes the use of 500 to 1,500 mg daily of yerba mate is most effective.

Liquid forms (such as tea) appear to be most easily absorbed but may not provide the necessary amounts for optimum results.

Timing: Mate, as a supplement, should ideally be used evenly throughout the day before meals and/or exercise. For optimal thermogenic effects, one serving should be taken first thing in the morning, upon rising.

Tea can be used two to three times per day in between meals.

Active people looking for added endurance and energy, alertness, improved sleep, and enhanced immunity, all in a safe package, are beginning to discover this "secret" stimulant to boost physical and mental performance, without some of the unwanted side effects found with most of the more popular stimulants.

Questions and Answers

Q.	What does the research on yerba mate show?
A.	Research shows that yerba mate may help individuals looking for added endurance and energy, alertness, and enhanced immunity. Besides improving mood and preventing mental fatigue, new research reveals mate's potential to increase fat metabolism—assisting the body's ability to burn more calories, faster—known as thermogenesis. Even better, mate imparts this effect without the unwanted side effects found with other, more popular stimulants.
Q.	Could any other supplements make yerba mate even more effective?
A.	Yerba mate is used as the base for specific herbal mixtures centered on energy production and thermogenic activities. It's used to help increase circulation and thus enhance the uptake of other herbs in the body. Mate has been shown in one study to work synergistically with guarana to increase the rate the body burns calories and to delay gastric emptying, which means you feel fuller for longer periods.
Q.	What's the most common amount of yerba mate used to achieve optimal results?
A.	Research has revealed the use of 500 to 1,500 mg daily of yerba mate is most effective. Mate is ideally used evenly throughout the day before meals and/or exercise. For maximum thermogenic effects, one serving should be taken first thing in the morning, upon rising.
Q.	Can too much yerba mate cause any side effects—is it safe?
A.	Yerba mate is very safe. Natives of South America have used it for thousands of years as an herbal tonic. Scientific research with yerba mate has been on-going, and we expect it to increase due to mate's rise in popularity. In all of the studies conducted so far, no side effects or toxicity were reported. In fact, one study has even revealed mate's ability to improve the quality of sleep.
Q.	Is yerba mate natural? Is it found in foods?
A.	Yerba mate is a perennial (a plant that doesn't die at the end of the year), which grows wild in the rainforests of Argentina, Chile, Peru, Brazil, and Paraguay (where it is cultivated). After being picked at the right time, flash dried (keeping it bright green), and milled only at the last minute, it's usually sold as a loose tea or dried powder as an herb.

Safety Information

Safety:
If you are pregnant or nursing, yerba mate is not recommended.

Toxicity:
None reported.

Bans and Restrictions:
None known.

References

Alikaridis, F., "Natural Constituents of Ilex Species," J Ethnopharmacol 20.2 (1987) : 121-44.

Andersen, T., and Fogh, J., "Weight Loss and Delayed Gastric Emptying Following a South American Herbal Preparation in Overweight Patients," J Hum Nutr Diet 14.3 (2001) : 243-50.

Athayde, M.L., et al., "Caffeine and Theobromine in Epicuticular Wax of Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.," Phytochemistry 55.7 (2000) : 853-7.

Gorzalczany, S., et al., "Choleretic Effect and Intestinal Propulsion of 'Mate' (Ilex paraguariensis) and Its Substitutes or Adulterants," J Ethnopharmacol 75.2-3 (2001) : 291-4.

Gosmann, G., et al., "Triterpenoid Saponins from Ilex paraguariensis," J Nat Prod 58.3 (1995) : 438-41.

Gugliucci, A., and Stahl, A.J., "Low Density Lipoprotein Oxidation Is Inhibited by Extracts of Ilex paraguariensis," Biochem Mol Biol Int 35.1 (1995) : 47-56.

Ito, E., et al., "Theophylline Metabolism in Higher Plants," Biochim Biophys Acta 1336.2 (1997) : 323-30.

Martinet, A., et al., "Thermogenic Effects of Commercially Available Plant Preparations Aimed at Treating Human Obesity," Phytomedicine 6.4 (1999) : 231-8.

Schenkel, E.P., et al, "Triterpene Saponins from Mate, Ilex paraguariensis," Adv Exp Med Biol 405 (1996) : 47-56.

Tenorio Sanz, M.D., Torija Isasa, M.E., "Mineral Elements in Mate Herb (Ilex paraguariensis St. H.)," Arch Latinoam Nutr 41.3 (1991) : 441-54.