Mate

At a glance

Origin / distribution: South America, Turkey, Mexico, Paraguay, BR

Cultural traditions: not documented

Recorded uses: Aperient, Coffee, Diuretic, Rheumatism

Science studied: ASH, BUTYRIC-ACID, CAFFEINE, CHLOROGENIC-ACID

Research volume: 0 indexed records · volume only · methodology ↗

Legal status: Varies by jurisdiction; not assessed in this record.

Names and identity

Family: Aquifoliaceae

Scientific name: Ilex paraguariensis

Common names: Mate, Paraguay Tea, South American Holly, Brazilian-tea, Caá, Chá-Mate, Congonha, Erva, Erva-Mate, Erva-congonha, Erva-verdadeira, Erveira, Ka'a, Mate-Strauch, Matebaum, Mateteestrauch, Matè, Matéplant, Ostrokrzew paragwajski, Paraguay tea

POWO: 315555-2 · WCVP June 2026 / POWO backbone

History

The source record documents this plant in South America, Turkey, Elsewhere, Mexico, Paraguay, BR.

It records these historical or traditional applications:

• Aperient
• Coffee
• Diuretic
• Rheumatism
• Scurvy
• Stimulant
• Sudorific
• Tea

This summary is limited to the cited source record.

Origins and distribution

• South America
• Turkey
• Elsewhere
• Mexico
• Paraguay
• BR

Documented cultural uses

• Aperient
• Coffee
• Diuretic
• Rheumatism
• Scurvy
• Stimulant
• Sudorific
• Tea
• Astringent
• Poison
• Purgative

Cultural record detail

These entries are transcribed from the cited ethnobotanical source; they do not represent current advice or a claim of efficacy.

• Aperient · South America · "
• Coffee · South America · "
• Diuretic · Turkey · "
• Rheumatism · South America · "
• Scurvy · Turkey · "
• Stimulant · Elsewhere · "
• Sudorific · Turkey · "
• Tea · Turkey · "
• Stimulant · Turkey · "
• Astringent · South America · "
• Coffee · Mexico · "
• Poison · South America · "
• Tea · Paraguay · "
• Purgative · Turkey · "

Contemporary uses

Contemporary practice is not documented separately in this record.

Scientific research

Indexed records indicate research activity; they do not establish efficacy or safety.

Indexed research records

• Cardiometabolic Effects of Ilex paraguariensis (Yerba Mate): A Narrative Review of Evidence and Research Gaps · 2026 source ↗
• Bioaccessibility and epithelial transport of chlorogenic acid extracts from Ilex paraguariensis by-product: Effect of encapsulation. · 2026 source ↗
• Aedes aegypti larvae mortality by Ilex paraguariensis fruit extracts depends on distinct geographical origins. · 2026 source ↗

Scientific compounds

Chemical presence is not evidence of clinical efficacy.

• ASH
• BUTYRIC-ACID
• CAFFEINE
• CHLOROGENIC-ACID
• CHLOROPHYLL
• CHOLINE
• EO
• FIBER
• ISOCAPRONIC-ACID
• ISOVALERIC-ACID
• NEO-CHLOROGENIC-ACID
• NITROGEN
• 4-OXOLAURIC-ACID
• PROTEIN
• RESIN
• RUTIN

Legality

No exact international trade listing was returned by the CITES checklist for this accepted name. Country-specific law is not assessed here.

Consult the CITES species checklist for current international and national requirements.

Reference images

Sources

Plants of the World Online (POWO) · Kew data terms; cite POWO/WCVP

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) · CC BY 3.0

CC0 · Dr. Duke raw CSV archive

Contributions and revisions

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