Ilex paraguariensis
Synonyms
No documentation
Vernacular Name
Yerba Mate, Mate, Yerbamate, Paraguay Tea, South American Holly, Jesuit’s Tea, St. Bartholemew’s Tea, Caminu, Erva mate
Description
I. paraguariensis tea has been used for hundreds of years as a general medicinal tonic by various South American cultures and is now taken as a tea or dietary supplement for applications such as weight management[1] and fatigue worldwide. Its discovery in Paraguay (and subsequent cultivation) by the Guarani was considered to be a gift from the gods and it was thought to have spiritual as well as medicinal properties. Upon harvesting, the leaves and stems are dried by quickly with a wood fire.[2]
I. paraguariensis plant is a shrub-like tree that can grow up to 16 meters tall in its natural habitat and 6 to 8 meters in cultivated settings. It has evergreen leaves, very light green or whitish flowers which produce a red fruit in the fall.
Origin / Habitat
As noted, this plant was originally found in Paraguay, then in various places throughout South America. During the past 100 years, the availability of the plant as found in native habitats has decreased significantly. I. paraguariensis is found both growing in the wild and cultivated on plantations in South America where it has become a strong export. It is primarily cultivated in full sun, but can also thrive in shaded areas.[3]
Chemical Constituents
Alkaloids including caffeine, theophylline theobromine
Saponins
Sterols
Flavonoids
Tannins
Chlorogenic acid
Cinnamate esters[4],[5],[6],[7],[8],[9],[10]
Plant Part Used
Leaves and sometimes stems
Medicinal Uses
General
Weight management
Obesity
General tonic
Appetite suppressant
General fatigue
Cardiovascular health
Laxative and digestive complaints
Most Frequently Reported Uses
Weight management
Obesity
General tonic
Appetite suppressant
General fatigue
Dosage
Dosage Range
Antioxidant
1-4g crude powdered herb per day
Most Common Dosage
Infusion: 1g twice per day
Standardized to
The most commonly used standardization of I. paraguariensis would contain a minimum of 20% caffeoylquinic acid, with 5% chlorogenic acids.
Pharmacology
Pre-clinical
I. paraguariensis demonstrates antioxidant activity [11],[12] that is comparable that of green tea[13] when prepared in a water extract of either the green or roasted plant material.[14] In an animal model, researchers were able to demonstrate that mate tea is not genotoxic in liver, kidney and bladder cells and that the antioxidant activity may exhibit a protective effect on DNA.[15] In addition, an animal model demonstrated a reduction in lung inflammation of animals subjected to cigarette smoke.[16]
Additional investigations into the antioxidant activity and drug potential of I. paraguariensis include pre-clinical work in Parkinson’s disease,[17] atherosclerosis,[18] nitrostrative stress,[19] myocardial dysfunction,[20] diabetic complications,[21] and inhibitioin of low density lipoprotein oxidation.[22],[23] The traditional use of mate teas for cognitive improvement has also been verified in animal studies.[24]
Constituents of I. paraguariensis have demonstrated proteasome inhibiting activity in laboratory settings. This activity which may have a role in the treatment of neoplastic disease, has been attributed to the cinnamate esters.[25]
I. paraguariensis has been the subject of study as having a potential role in treating obesity and managing weight which is one of the traditional uses of the beverage. In an animal model, mice fed a high fat diet were administered either 1g/kg or 2g/kg of the herb for sixteen weeks. Results after eight weeks indicated a decrease in tryglicerides, low density lipoprotein and weight.[26] In addition to these findings, additional animal models have found that I. paraguariensis modulated the expression of genes related to obesity.[27],[28] Despite these findings, review studies of the available literature have not found enough evidence to support Yerbe Mate as an anti-obesity agent for use in humans.[29],[30]
As noted earlier, I. paraguariensis has been found to be cytotoxic and mutagenic and prolonged use can lead to an increased incident of head and neck cancers.[31],[32],[33]
Clinical
I. paraguariensis was included as one of three botanicals in a formula (including Guarana and Damiana) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 47 healthy, overweight individuals. Treatment of the test group using the herbal preparation resulted in delayed gastric emptying time, perceived fullness and subsequent weight loss. Continued use, resulted in overall weight management for the participants.[34] In a separate clinical study of a smaller number of volunteers, I. paraguariensis demonstrated a small drop in respiratory quotient, but none of the herbs tested including the Mate demonstrated properties that would result in weight loss.[35]
A human clinical study of over 500 individuals evaluated the relationship between several non-alcoholic beverages and bladder cancer. I. paraguariensis was included as one of the beverages reviewed and a correlation was seen between consumption of mate tea and risk of bladder cancer.[36] These findings were repeated in a study that examined the risk of bladder cancer and use of I. paraguariensis tea in smokers and non-smokers. The risk was higher in smokers who also used I. paraguariensis tea on a regular basis.[37]
Antioxidant properties identified in pre-clinical models have been also demonstrated in a human clinical model of healthy non-smoking women. Following supplementation with the tea, lipid peroxidation was lowered and total antioxidant status improved and was maintained.[38]
Interaction and Depletions
Interaction with other Herbs
Replace.
Interaction with Drugs
Due to the caffeine and theobromine content which are central nervous system stimulants, concurrent use of I. paraguariensis may increase the side effects of drugs and dietary supplements such as asthma medications,[43] amphetamines, guarana, ephedra, cold medications, bitter orange, coffee, tea and colas.
There is some evidence that use of caffeine containing products may be associated with an interference of calcium absorption and subsequent bone loss in post-menopausal women[44],[45] possibly due to the relationship between caffeine and estrogen.[46]
Research has indicated that tannins, when taken in conjunction with meals, may decrease the bioavailability of minerals such as zinc, iron and copper.[47]
I. paraguariensis may interfere with the intended effects of sleep aids and anti-anxiety medications.[43]
Precautions and Contraindications
Side effects
Not to be used by those with hypertension, heart disease, anxiety disorders, thyroid disease, osteoporosis or kidney disease.
The caffeine content of I. paraguariensis, though less than that of coffee, can interfere with sleep, increase nervousness, cause restlessness, lead to irregular heartbeat and increase blood pressure.
There have been numerous investigations into the possible link between consumption of I. paraguariensis and head and neck cancers.[31],[39] The carcinogenic nature of I. paraguariensis is not fully understood, but reviews have repeatedly found links with development of cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus[40] possibly due to the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.[41] Regardless of the nature of this link, studies have indicated that I. paraguariensis is cytotoxic and mutagenic.[31] In addition, a correlation between bladder cancer risk and I. paraguariensis consumption has been identified.[42]
Pregnancy
Not to be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Age limitation
Not to be used with children.
Adverse reaction
No documentation
Read More
1) South Central America Herbs
References
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- Prediger RD, Fernandes MS, Rial D, Wopereis S, Pereira VS, Bosse TS, Da Silva CB, Carradore RS, Machado MS, Cechinel-Filho V, Costa-Campos L.Effects of acute administration of the hydroalcoholic extract of mate tea leaves (Ilex paraguariensis) in animal models of learning and memory. J Ethnopharmacol. 8Dec2008;120(3):465-473.
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