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The Health Benefits Of Yerba Mate
Argentina's National Drink
Introduced by the Guarani Indians in South America, Yerba Mate (pronounced mah'-tay) is a tea-like beverage consumed by Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Southern Brazil. It grows wild in the rainforest regions of these countries. Yerba Mate or Mate as it is often called, is from the Ilex Paraguariensis tree, an evergreen and member of the holly family.
To make Mate, the leaves are dried and ground and placed into a hollowed-out gourd which is also called a mate. The gourds are decorated after they have been dried. A gourd can also be made of anything from wood to sterling silver. The dried leaves are poured with cold water, then hot water until no more water can be absorbed. A straw-like device called a bombilla is placed into the gourd and sipped. It is usually made of metal and has a filter on the bottom to keep the leaves from getting into your mouth. When air is heard through the filter of the bombilla, more hot water is poured over the leaves. Again the Mate is sipped, poured with more hot water, and sipped until there is very little flavor left. Mate is sometimes served with milk, sugar or lemon. Like iced tea, it may also be enjoyed cold.
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The drinking of Mate is a ritual in Argentina shared by close friends and families. The
Gauchos
shared Mate around a campfire. A bombilla and gourd is passed around a circle and refilled with hot water for each person. It is a great compliment to be asked to share in Mate.
Yerba Mate was used for all cures of the native Guarani, as it still is today. To the Guarani, Mate builds the immune system, cleanses and detoxifies the blood, reduces the effects of disease, tones the nervous system, eliminates insomnia, and is considered an anti-aging formula that will even restore youthful hair color!
Today Yerba Mate is used as a base for all South American herbal medicine. It has 50% less caffeine than coffee, and contains 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids and 11 antioxidants (it supplied the mostly meat-eating Gauchos with essential nutrients). Mate is a better alternative to green or black teas. It is used to improve energy, digestion and weight loss, reduce depression, rheumatism, fatigue, arthritis, headaches, hemorrhoids, fluid retention, allergies, hay fever and stress. It is a tonic that balances the entire body.
After seeing the very healthy looking and happy Argentinians, I have to believe it's all true. From now on I will be
ordering Yerba Mate
by the barrel!!!
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