Yerba Mate, chemical composition and therapeutic properties

From a chemical point of view, Ilex paraguariensis (Yerba Mate) can be evaluated under its food chemical aspect or as a raw material for several byproducts. Long before its chemical composition was known, Indians used Yerba Mate not only due to the beverage's taste but also and mainly because they knew its virtues, chiefly an increased resistance to fatigue and its thirst and hunger mitigation powers.

Studies show that the Yerba Mate has the following components: water, cellulose, gums, dextrin, mucilage, glucose, pentose, fat substances, aromatic resin, legumin, albumin, xanthine, theophylline, caffearin, folic acid, caffeic acid, viridic acid, chlorophyll, cholesterin and essence oil. Ashes contain great amounts of potassium, lithium, folic, sulfuric, carbon, chloric and citric acids, beside magnesium, manganese, iron, aluminum and arsenic traces.

Xanthine, theophylline and theobromine are three strongly related alkaloids found in Yerba Mate and are the most interesting compounds from a therapeutic standpoint.
The Yerba Mate's xanthine rate averages 1.60%, whereas it is 1.10% in infusions.

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