Immune System Booster

Claims

One popular claim is that Yerba Mate boosts the immune system (e.g., retailer Guayaki). These claims are supported by both its historical use and medical research.

"Recent studies from the U.S. indicate that polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that strengthen the organism´s natural defenses, and protect it against the cellular destruction that cause physical deterioration and the development of sicknesses." (J. Carper 1988). No surprise, Yerba Mate is loaded with Polyphenols (Kawakami, A. Kabayashi 1991).

Laboratory tests confirm that the Traditional Method provides "the highest concentration of polyphenols, followed by red wines and green tea." (Bixby, Spieler, Menini, Gugliuccit, Life Sciences, 2005, #77 pgs 345-358) They also found that the Traditional Method, "which usually implies repeated extraction from a large (50-100 g) quantity of dry product in a gourd, and intermittent consumption, many times for hours in a row, would allow for maintenance plasma levels of polyphenols which are usually not attained with green tea or moderate wine drinking."

"Given the growing importance of flavonoids such as quercetin, rutin, and catechins as putative modulators of LDL oxidation, and in some systems as inhibitors of genotoxicity, herbs with a high concentration of these compounds and widespread ethnopharmacological use are of special interest. One of them is Ilex paraguariensis [Yerba Mate]." (Gugliucci*, N. Bracesco, et al., 2002)

Laboratory tests confirm that "flavonoid rich beverages [Yerba Mate] could represent an alternative coadjuvant in treatment. In this regard, our studies suggest that Ilex paraguariensis extracts [Yerba Mate via the Traditional Method] are more effective than either green tea or red wines." (Bixby, Spieler, Menini, Gugliuccit, Life Sciences, 2005, #77 pgs 345-358)

Another popular claim is that Yerba Mate can treat a cold or Flu.

This claim may be in large part to the fact that Yerba Mate is a hot drink which bestows benefits. As WebMD notes, drinking hot liquids can treat colds or a Flu. "Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion, prevent dehydration, and soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat. If you're so congested you can't sleep at night, try a hot toddy, an age-old remedy. Make a cup of hot herbal tea." (October, 2005) Yerba mate is another great nutritional, natural, hot liquid remedy to treat colds or flu.

The claim is also attributed to the benefits bestowed by Yerba Mate's many nutrients.

Yerba Mate, consumed in the Traditional Method, boosts the immune system and helps to treat colds and Flu.

General Benefit Note:

Jane Higdon, Ph.D, Oregon State University, writes that it may be difficult to drink enough of a tea "to reach sufficient plasma and tissue levels of tea polyphenols to realize a protective effect." The American Chemical Society supports this claim by noting that the "direct measurements in people's blood" when using a tea without the gourd and straw are "typically less than one-tenth" the amount shown to produce any significant result. (2003) Fortunately, the Traditional Method of consuming Yerba Mate increases your ability to gain its many benefits. Laboratory tests confirm that drinking mate via the Traditional Method may be the only way to recieve certain benefits (Bixby, 2005; c.v. Palermo, 2003).

Drinking very little water with tea is an ancient and important principle that should be considered when drinking Yerba Mate. One can not safely recommend drinking copious amounts of water with it. The Traditional Method of drinking Yerba Mate with gourd and straw, which uses very little water, is the most effective way to benefit from it's many nutritive values (Bixby, 2005: Life Science).

Benefit Disclaimer

Please keep in mind that each persons body is unique and medical conditions should be taken seriously. Please use our information as a springboard for research into your specific needs. Of course, it is recommended to discuss any information with your doctor and listen to the specific needs of your body.

-above information from www.yerbatea.com