Common names | Yerba mate
Scientific name | Ilex paraguariensis
Used part | Leaf
Known active compounds | 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid 

Potential benefits in cosmetics | anti-oxidant, anti-microbial
Product name | Yerba Mate-ANB

 

 

Plant Story

Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is an evergreen native to Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and part of Argentina. The name yerba mate translates to ‘mate herb’, where ‘mate’ is originally from a word ‘mati’, which means ‘container for a drink’, ‘infusion of herb’, or ‘gourd’. Yerba mate is commonly consumed as a beverage known simply as ‘mate’ and can also be found in energy drinks and iced teas. Yerba mate tea is particularly popular in Paraguay and Uruguay. Native people of Paraguay and Brazil have used the yerba mate leaves as a tea. Yerba mate tea has also been used medicinally as a diuretic and stimulant to alleviate mental and physical fatigue, due to caffeine present in yerba mate. Yerba mate leaves can also be used as a poultice against anthrax ulcers.

 

Alkaloids such as theobromine and caffeine, phenolic compounds including chlorogenic acid and its derivatives (3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid), caffeic acid, and flavonoids including quercetin, rutin, and kaempferol were found in yerba mate leaves. Yerba mate leaves have shown anti-oxidant properties by DPPH and FRAP assays. Anti-microbial activity of a decoction extract of yerba mate leaves against Malassezia furfur, a fungus found on the skin surface, was reported. Additionally, ethanolic extract of yerba mate leaves inhibited microbial growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enteritidis.