Erowid Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) Vault

yerba_mate

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Yerba Mate

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Family :

Aquifoliaceae

Genus :

Ilex

Species :

paraguariensis

COMMON NAMES

Plant: South American holly; Beverage: yerba maté; Paraguay tea; Braziliain tea; jesuit tea; ka'a (Guarani)

EFFECTS CLASSIFICATION

Stimulant

DESCRIPTION

Ilex paraguariensis is a small S. American tree that's leaves contain caffeine and other xanthines. The toasted leaves have a long history of use as a stimulant tea. Falsely rumored to contain a unique chemical mateine.