Common Name:

General Information

Ilex conocarpa is a shrub or a tree growing around 3.5 metres tall
The leaves are gathered from the wild for medicinal use and as a substitute for Mate tea.

Known Hazards

Although no specific reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, Ilex species in general contain several potentially toxic compounds, particularly saponins, glycosides and triterpenoids. These compounds also often have a range of potential health benefits[, , ].
The berries are usually the part of the plant most likely to be toxic, though the degree of toxicity is usually low. Their bitter flavour usually prevents a person eating more than one or two, but even a small handful of the fruit eaten by a healthy adult is unlikely to cause more than feelings of nausea that can lead on to vomiting and diarrhoea[].
The compounds in the leaves are particularly interesting. The leaves of many Ilex species around the world are commonly used to make health-promoting teas that, when drunk on a regular basis, help to regulate bodily functions and can reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood-cholesterol levels etc (See Ilex paraguariensis or Ilex kaushue for examples)[]. Even these teas, however, if taken in very concentrated doses, can act as a laxative or cause vomiting. Indeed, several species are used by traditional peoples to induce vomiting as a means of purifying the body (see Ilex guayusa or Ilex vomitoria for examples)

Botanical References

Range

S. America - eastern Brazil.

Habitat

In areas of rocky fields, or areas dominated by cerrados, in rocky soils or in places near forest streams

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	3.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Found at elevations over 700 metres in the tropics.
Ilex species generally tolerate most soils that are not water-logged[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

The leaves are used to make a tea as a substitute for Yerba Mate[]. They contain caffeine and tannins[].

Medicinal

The leaves are diuretic, stomachic and tonic[, ]. It is used as a substitute for Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis)[, ].
As with the related Ilex paraguariensis (Yerba Mate), regular consumption of a tea made from the leaves of this species has been shown to have a range of beneficial regulatory effects upon the body, particularly by acting as an antioxidant and by regulating blood-lipid levels, thus lowering high cholesterol levels and improving circulation to the heart.

Other Uses

A black dye can be obtained from the plant[].

Propagation

Seed -

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