Common Name: Maté

General Information

Ilex paraguariensis is a small, slow-growing, evergreen tree with a dense, oblong crown[]. It can reach a height of 15 metres but is more likely to be 4 - 8 metres tall with a short bole 30 - 40cm in diameter[].
The plant has been used as a stimulating drink for hundreds of years and is a more common drink than tea (Camellia sinsnsis) in S. America[]. It is both cultivated and harvested from the wild in its native S. America, and is also cultivated on the Iberian peninsula, and is sold in countries around the world.

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 - Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, southern, eastern and central Brazil.

Habitat

Cool, humid, tropical highlands near streams and river valleys[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Butterflies, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Ilex paraguariensis is a plant of the subtropics and tropics, also able to be grown in the warm temperate zone. It is found at elevations up to 1,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 17 - 26°c, but can tolerate 12 - 30°c[]. Mature plants can be killed by temperatures of -6°c or lower, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 700 - 2,500mm[].
Prefers a sunny position, also succeeding in light shade[]. Succeeds in a range of well-drained soils[]. Prefers a rich, slightly acid soil in light shade[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 7, tolerating 5.8 - 8[].
Young plants are very slow to establish when planted out[].
Plants are dioecious. Both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

A stimulating, tea-like drink is made from the leaves. It contains around 1 - 2% caffeine[, ]. The young leaves are harvested in a similar manner to tea, then dried, finely ground and packaged[]. Traditionally, the leaves are brewed in a similar manner to tea, but the brew is drunk directly from the spout of the teapot, or from a gourd or is sucked from a glass using a tube known as a bombilla[].

Medicinal

The mineral rich leaves contain xanthine derivatives, including about 1.5% caffeine plus theobromine and theophylline, and up to 16% tannins[]. They are antioxidant, antirheumatic, diuretic, mildly laxative, stimulant, and tonic[, ]. They are said to have the power to increase intellectual lucidity and vigour[]. Regular consumption of the leaves in the form of a tea is said to bring many benefits, including the burning of excess fat in the body, suppressing the appetite, stimulating the digestion, removing free radicals, enhancing the memory, relieving pain, and enhancing the immune system[]
The leaves are used internally in the treatment of headaches, migraine, neuralgic and rheumatic pain, fatigue and mild depression[]. They have also been used in the treatment of diabetes[].
The leaves are harvested when the berries are ripe, they are heated over a wood fire, ground into a powder then stored in sacks for 12 months before being used[].

Other Uses

An extract of the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a hair and skin conditioner, and as a perfume[].
An essential oil extracted from the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a perfume[].

The wood is light, smooth, slightly compact, with poor natural durability[]. It is only used for making boxes and for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - very slow, it can take 2 - 3 years to germinate[]. It must be stratified or sown immediately, otherwise it quickly loses its viability[]. It is best to stratify the seed for 4 - 7 months in warm, humid sand to allow the seed to finish ripening before sowing the seed in a shaded seedbed[]. Germination should then occur within a few days[]. Seedlings should be ready to plant out into their permanent positions 10 - 11 months later[].
Cuttings.
Grafting.

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