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From "Maple Street Co-op News", Aug/Sep 2006

Yerba Maté: Tea of the Gods
by Autumn River, Co-op member

Revered by the Guarani Indians of South America as "the drink of the gods", Yerba Maté (Ilex paraguariensis, a member of the evergreen holly family) is today esteemed as the "national drink" of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. It's universally preferred in these countries over coffee or tea and boasts superior properties. Indeed, it is rumoured that South Americans in general make fun of our favoured hot drinks, knowing them to be worthless imposters of what they consider to be "the real thing".

And there is more to such attitudes than cultural pride: science has long confirmed the Maté infusion to be the health drink, restorative and stimulant par excellence, far outranking coffee and tea in every beneficial aspect.

A basic, and by no means exhaustive, overview of the virtues of Yerba Maté reveals that the tea:*
• has a wonderful, deep, clean, bitter-sweet, earthy savour, similar to high-quality green tea but more impressive;
• contains more than three times the antioxidant levels found in green tea;
• is reportedly mood-elevating in a way similar to, but better than, chocolate;
• contains significant levels of immune system–boosting saponins, three of which were previously unknown to science;
• significantly enhances cognitive function and improves concentration;
• significantly increases physical energy levels and stamina;
• stimulates bile production, and may improve digestive function and bowel transit;
• is a true natural multivitamin and mineral supplement; according to one scientific study, it contains "practically all the vitamins necessary to sustain life". It also contains calcium, manganese, iron, selenium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus;
• contains caffeine (approximately half the amount found in tea), but reportedly without the usual side effects associated with caffeinated beverages, even in sensitive individuals (some therapists endorse Yerba Maté as a healthy coffee/tea alternative as it imparts a "balanced, energised feeling");
• is non-addictive and, according to one study, may even be useful in treating addictions;
• does not negatively interfere with sleep cycles;
• may actually be a sleep cycle regulator and promote a good night's sleep;
• may possess anti-ageing effects.

Maple Street Co-op stocks the Vita Maté brand of premium-quality, organic, irradiation-free Yerba Maté in 25-bag and 100-gram loose-leaf boxes, and the Bija brand in 20-bag boxes.

So sink into a blissful cup today and see for yourself what the South Americans are on about!

* This information is not intended to diagnose or prescribe treatment for any illness or medical condition.

Sources:
http://www.noborders.net/mate/health.html
http://www.yerba-mate.com/yerbamate.pdf
http://www.yerba-mate.com.health.htm

[From "Maple Street Co-op News", August/September 2006; published by The Maple Street Co-operative Society Ltd, 37 Maple Street, Maleny, Qld 4552, Australia, tel (07) 5494 2088, email maplest.co-op@serv.net.au,
website http://www.maplestreetco-op.com.au]