Yerba Mate
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BASIC INFORMATION
Biological name (genus and species):
- Ilex paraguariensis St. Hill
Parts used for medicinal purposes:
- Leaves
Chemical this herb contains:
- Caffeine
KNOWN EFFECTS
- Stimulates central nervous system.
- Helps body dispose of excess fluid by increasing amount of urine produced.
- Causes hallucinations.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
- Is used as a laxative.
- Increases perspiration.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don’t take if you:
- Are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or plan pregnancy in the near future.
- Have any chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract, such as stomach or duodenal ulcers, esophageal reflux (reflux esophagitis), ulcerative colitis, spastic colitis, diverticulosis, diverticulitis.
Consult your doctor if you:
- Take this herb for any medical problem that doesn’t improve in 2 weeks. There may be safer, more-effective treatments.
- Take any medicinal drugs or herbs including aspirin, laxatives, cold and cough remedies, antacids, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, supplements, other prescription or non-prescription drugs.
Pregnancy:
- Dangers outweigh any possible benefits. Don’t use.
Breast-feeding:
- Dangers outweigh any possible benefits. Don’t use.
Infants and children:
- Treating infants and children under 2 with any herbal preparation is hazardous.
Others:
- None expected if you are beyond childhood and under 45, not pregnant, basically healthy and take for only a short time.
Storage:
- Keep cool and dry, but don’t freeze. Store safely away from children.
Safe dosage:
- At present no “safe” dosage has been established.
TOXICITY
Rated relatively safe when taken in appropriate quantities for short periods of time.
- For symptoms of toxicity: See ADVERSE REACTIONS, SIDE EFFECTS OR OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS section below.
ADVERSE REACTIONS, SIDE EFFECTS OR OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS
| Signs and symptoms: | What to do: |
| Confusion | Seek emergency treatment. |
| Excessive urination | Discontinue. Call doctor |
| when convenient. | |
| Hallucinations | Seek emergency treatment. |
| Heartburn | Discontinue. Call doctor |
| when convenient. | |
| Insomnia | Discontinue. Call doctor |
| when convenient. | |
| Irritability | Discontinue. Call doctor |
| when convenient. | |
| Nausea | Discontinue. Call doctor |
| immediately. | |
| Nervousness | Discontinue. Call doctor |
| when convenient. | |
| Rapid heartbeat | Seek emergency treatment. |
From the Complete Guide to Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements by H. Winter Griffith, M.D. © 1988 by Fisher Books; electronic rights by Medical Data Exchange
