Tea mate: benefits and harms. How to drink tea?

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Tea mate (or "mate" as some sources indicate) is a surprisingly fragrant and delicious tonic drink. The drink contains an incredible amount of caffeine, which is made from the crushed and dried shoots and leaves of Paraguayan holly. Another name for this plant is "mate grass". Hence the name of the tea itself. The holly itself is a 15-meter evergreen shrub. It grows mainly in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. Paraguayan holly can grow both in the wild and on plantations where it is grown by specially trained people.

A little bit of history

Mate, as a word, has an incredible history of meaning. It comes from the Quechua language - this is an ancient tribe. In the literal sense, it translates as: "a gourd jar for drinks or food." The modern territories of Paraguay and Brazil used to be inhabited by Indians from the tribeguarani. They once used mate to cure heartburn and other ailments. And they used stevia leaves as sugar, which has a sweet taste.

Tea mate, the benefits and harms of which are known to the modern consumer, has another interesting story. So, even the South American Indian tribes were aware of how useful and tonic this drink is. They called this liquid a divine drink. The healing properties of mate were also appreciated by the Spanish conquerors. And all thanks to the fact that the remedy in a fairly short time helped to cure scurvy. As a result, mate appeared in Europe.

But the Europeans themselves took tea rather coldly. What can not be said about the leaves of the holly, which came to the liking of the Aesculapius. They actively used them for the preparation of alcohol tinctures and various balms. Medieval healers did not yet know what the chemical composition of the bush was, but they already appreciated its positive qualities.

Components of tea

Tea mate (the benefits and harms are listed below) contains a large number of different elements necessary for the human body. Among them are xanthine alkaloids, tannins and biologically active substances, as well as beta-carotene. In addition, it contains pantothenic acid, substances of mineral origin (potassium, manganese, iron, copper, sodium, magnesium and sulfur) and vitamins of groups B, P, C, E.

Benefits of the drink

Due to its composition, mate normalizes blood pressure, improves oxygen supply to the heartmuscle, stabilizes cerebral and coronary circulation. Mate tea, the benefits and harms of which are described in our article, as mentioned above, contains pantothenic acid. She is also responsible for the normalization of the level of adrenaline and is directly involved in the process of cell restoration. The drink also contains chlorophyll, which has a beneficial effect on the immune system, and choline, which is responsible for stabilizing cholesterol levels. Matein, which is also part of mate, is an unsurpassed and unique stimulant of natural origin. It is as strong as caffeine.

Tea mate (the benefits and harms of which are already known) is an indispensable product for stomach diseases. And this action is explained as follows: the drink normalizes digestion and produces an antispasmodic effect, thereby restoring the damaged mucous membrane of the intestines and stomach. Mate is an indispensable product for strengthening the nervous system. It is a great helper in the fight against stress.

Possessing unsurpassed immunostimulating and tonic qualities, the drink improves mood, relieves fatigue, and increases stamina. Mate is recommended for people who regularly play sports, as it prevents the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles. If you often drink the above liquid, then the craving for alcohol and smoking will decrease. And men appreciate the drink because it increases potency.

Contraindications and side effects

Despite the fact that the drink mate is incredibly he althy, the harm of tea forthe human body has long been proven by scientists. But before we describe why the product is so dangerous, let's deal with those who are prohibited from using it. So, in the first place, pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children, should not drink tea. If a person has a high temperature or pressure, he should also refuse to drink such a drink.

Contraindication to the use of mate is urolithiasis and gallstone disease, various kidney ailments. Well, it goes without saying that people who are prone to various allergic reactions should also give up such pleasure as yerba mate tea.

Now let's move on to the side effects of the drink. A high amount of carcinogens was found in it. They can provoke cancer in case of thermal damage to the esophagus. Also, oncology can occur in the lungs and bladder. Therefore, the harm of tea is indisputable, and people should not abuse this drink.

Cooking method

Mate is brewed in a special vessel called calabash. Not all users know about this, and therefore they often prepare it in an ordinary teapot. So, mate tea (we will tell you how to brew correctly later) is poured into calabash, so that it fills 2/3 of its volume. Now you should shake the vessel several times and tilt it at an angle of 45 degrees. Thanks to this maneuver, a place will be vacated in the container in which you need to install the bombilla - this is a special tube made of wood or metal, on which the filter is located. Having hoisted the stick, turn overcalabash horizontally.

Then, carefully, according to the line of the tube, pour cold water. Its quantity should also occupy 2/3 of the vacated space. For hot liquid, 1/3 will remain. Calabash is recommended to be filled with liquid to the very brim.

More recipes

In addition to the classic way of making mate, you can brew it with milk. To do this, boil one liter of milk with a fat content of 1.5%. Add four to five tablespoons of tea to it, remove the container from the fire, insist the drink for ten minutes, mix and drink. You can also brew dry leaves with juice. Orange nectar is added to calabash instead of cold water. A small piece of sugar is also placed there.

How to drink mate tea?

This drink is consumed from the same vessel in which it is brewed. They drink it very slowly, while trying to sip the thick, which remains at the bottom of the vessel, in small sips. Mate is infused from 30 seconds to two minutes. It is necessary to try to consume the tea within this short time, otherwise it acquires a bitter aftertaste. All those who appreciate the drink for its excellent healing properties know how to drink tea from Paraguayan holly.

Reviews

So, a lot has been said about mate, its benefits, contraindications, method of preparation and use. But is everything really that good? Those who have already tried this wonderful tea will tell about it better.

Tea mate, reviews of which are very different, some consumers characterize as an incredibly strong drink. In addition, many note that the equipment necessary for brewing is used only in restaurants, while at home the liquid is prepared in the usual way, and bombilla and calabash are not used at all.

There are also reviews that thanks to the mat you can get rid of beriberi and skin irritations.