Product Description
Leaves, cut, fine cut or powder form.
Chemical Constituents: alkaloids chiefly caffeine, tannins (caffeic acid derivates: chlorogenic acid), flavonoids, triterpenoid saponins, volatile oil (traces).
Properties: Central Nervous System and respiratory stimulant, increases the contractility of the heart muscle (= positive inotropic effect), increases the rate of the heartbeat (= positive chronotropic effect), diuretic, promotes the breakdown of glycogen into glucose (= glycogenolytic effect), promotes the breakdown of fats into free faty acids and glycerol (=lipolytic effect). Caffeine is partially combined with phenolic acids therefore its CNS stimulant effects are modified. Theobromine is a mild diuretic and smooth muscle relaxant, and a wek CNS stimulant. Chlorogenic acid has been shown to inhibit the biosynthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, and to exert choleretic, antibacterial and antiviral effects.
Uses: Mate green is consumed mainly as a popular stimulant beverage. It is recommended as an invigorator for minor fatigue and feeling of weakness, short-term decreased mental and physical performance and for convalescence as it exerts at the same time bitter tonic effect.