Latin name: Illex paraguariensis
       Family: Aquifoliaceae

Yerba is an evergreen, medium height tree, member of the Holly genus (Acquafoliae family), native to South America (Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentine, southern Brazil) It can reach up to 15 meters in height in 25 years, when cultivated grows to only 3-6m. Trees flower from April to October. Its glossy, light green leaves are elliptical, oblong and coriaceous, with serrated margins. Small yellowish four-petalled flowers grow in bunches at the base of leaves. The fruit is a purple-red drupe with few seeds. Its natural habitat spreads between Atlantic Ocean and Paraguay River and between 18th and 30th parallels.

Attempts to grow Yerba in regions with similar climate in North America, Asia and Africa have so far been unsuccessful. The plant needs a minimum of 1500mm of yearly rainfall, along with average monthly temperature between 15, 5-28C. It can withstand short temperature drops up to -8C. Yerba grows mainly on loamy soil, rich in phosphorus, potassium and iron, which forms over a permeable substratum.

Mate contains xanthines (caffeine, teobromine), antimutagenic phenolic acids (mainly chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acids), other acids (ursolic, isovaleric, nicotinic, panthotenic), many flavonoids known for their anxiety-reliving effects (kaempferol, quercetin, rutoside) and, finally, many minerals, vitamins and coenzymes. Thanks to these ingredients yerba stimulates nervous system and has an antidepressant and tonic effects. It strengthens immune system, reduces lipids and carbohydrates counts in blood, alleviates rheumatism, improves digestion, and provides styptic, diuretic and slight laxative effects.