What are the effects of mate tea?
Mate tea has many positive effects on health. The main active ingredient in mate leaves is caffeine (0.4 to 1.7 percent). The caffeine content of mate tea is around 35 milligrams per 100 milliliters.
Mate leaves also contain theobrombin, theophylline, tannins and other components. Like caffeine, they have a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, increase the heart’s beating power and rate and are diuretic.
Mate is therefore used for the short-term relief of physical and mental fatigue and for flushing therapy for mild urinary tract complaints. The use of mate is medically recognized for these complaints.
In South American folk medicine, mate is said to have other healing powers, although these have not been scientifically proven. Internally, the medicinal plant is used to strengthen the stomach, treat rheumatism, arteriosclerosis, depression and to prevent fever and infections. Mate tea is also said to have healing properties for high blood pressure.
For inflammations and ulcers of the skin, a poultice is made and applied externally. The mate tree is also considered a natural slimming agent because it is said to satisfy hunger and thirst. It is therefore said to help with weight loss.
What is mate?
Mate (Ilex paraguarensis) is an evergreen tree that can grow to a height of 6 to 14 meters in the wild. In cultivation, however, it is kept lower to make it easier to harvest the leaves. It is native to Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The first two countries and Argentina are the main areas of cultivation.
The mate tree was used by South American natives even before colonization by Europeans. Even today, mate tea is still a popular national drink in large parts of South America, while it is not widely consumed in Europe and North America.
For some years now, mate has also been used for refreshing drinks.
How is mate tea used?
To prepare the tea, pour 150 milliliters of boiling water over one to two teaspoons of mate leaves and leave the infusion to infuse covered. Depending on your taste, strain the leaves after three to ten minutes. The shorter you leave the tea to infuse, the stronger the stimulating effect.
You can drink a cup of mate tea one to three times a day. However, it is better not to drink it in the evening, as this can lead to insomnia.
Mate can also be found in tea blends, soft drinks and energy drinks.
What side effects can mate tea cause?
An increased risk of cancer in the oral cavity and oesophagus is being discussed in connection with mate tea. It is unclear whether the usual high drinking temperature or the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is carcinogenic.
As a precaution, you should not drink mate tea continuously, too frequently and/or in too high a concentration.
What you should bear in mind when using mate
Do not drink mate tea in the following cases:
- Stomach or duodenal ulcer
- High blood pressure
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
- Impaired urine flow
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- Children and adolescents under the age of 18
Caution is advised when taking MAO inhibitors (anti-depressants) or sympathomimetics at the same time, for example various cardiovascular stimulants, asthma medication, medication for cardiac arrhythmia, but also amphetamine and cocaine.
Mate leaves contain a lot of caffeine – more than other caffeinated drinks such as coffee or cola. Therefore, do not drink the tea before going to bed or during treatment with sedatives.
Due to the potentially increased risk of cancer, only consume mate tea in moderation and not over a long period of time.
How to obtain mate and its products
The soft drinks are available in the supermarket.
