M
MATÉ (Ilex paraguariensis St.-Hil.) ++Activities (Maté) — Analeptic (2; PIP); Analgesic (1; BGB; CAN); Anorectic (2; APA; CAN);
Antihyaluronidase (1; MPG); Antirheumatic (f; BGB; CAN); Aperient (f; CRC); Astringent (f; CRC);
Bitter (f; CRC; HHB); Carcinogenic (f; APA); CNS Stimulant (2; BGB; CAN; PH2); Depurative (1;
APA); Diaphoretic (f; CRC; HHB); Digestive (f; APA); Diuretic (2; APA; KOM; PIP; PH2); Eupeptic
(f; MPG); Glycogenolytic (2; KOM; PH2; PIP); Hepatotoxic (1; MPG); Laxative (f; BGB; CRC);
Lipolytic (2; APA; KOM; PH2; PIP); Narcotic (f; CRC); Poison (1; CRC); Positive Chronotropic (2;
KOM; PH2; PIP); Positive Inotropic (2 KOM; PH2; PIP); Stimulant (1; APA; BGB; CRC); Ther-
mogenic (1; APA); Thymoleptic (f; BGB; CAN); Tonic (1; BGB; MPG; PH2); Vasodilator (1; ABS).
Indications (Maté) — Anemia (f; PH2); Arrhythmia (2; PHR); Asthenia (f; BGB); Asthma (1;
APA); Bladder Stone (2; PHR); Cardiac Insufficiency (2; PHR); Cold (1; APA); Constipation (f;
BGB; CRC); Debility (1; CRC; PH2); Depression (1; BGB; CAN); Diabetes (f; CRC); Dyspepsia
(f; PH2); Dysuria (2; APA; KOM; PIP; PH2); Fatigue (2; APA; PHR; PH2; PIP); Fever (f; CRC;
HHB; PH2); Flu (1; APA); Gastrosis (f; CRC); Headache (1; BGB; CAN); Heart (f; CRC); Infection
(f; PH2); Inflammation (f; PH2); Kidney Stone (2; PHR); Nerve (f; CRC); Neuralgia (1; CAN);
Neurasthenia (1; CRC; FNF; PH2); Obesity (1; APA; MPG; PH2); Pain (1; BGB; CAN); Rheu-
matism (f; BGB; CAN; CRC; PH2); Scurvy (1; CRC); Sore (f; PH2); Ulcer (f; PH2); UTI (2;
PHR); Water Retention (2; APA; KOM; PIP; PH2).
Dosages (Maté) — 1 tsp leaf/cup water (APA; WIC); 2–4 g leaf, or in tea, 3 ×/day (CAN); 1 g
leaf/cup tea (HHB); 3 g leaf/day (PH2; PIP); 2–4 ml liquid leaf extract (1:1 in 25% ethanol) 3
×/day (CAN); 2.5–5 ml liquid leaf extract (APA; PNC).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Maté) — Class 2d. CNS-stimulant. Not
recommended for excess or prolonged use (they seem to say this about most caffeine-containing
plants) (AHP). “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2)
(but PH2 designates no specific quantified dosage! JAD). CAN cautions that xanthine-contain-
ing beverages may cause anxiety, insomnia, palpitations, tremors, and withdrawal headaches.
Because of the caffeine, consumption should be restricted in pregnancy and lactation, and in
patients with hypertension and cardiac problems. “As with all xanthine-containing beverages,
excessive consumption ... by lactating mothers should be avoided. Caffeine is excreted in breast
milk, but at concentrations too low to represent a hazard to breast-feeding mothers ... The fatal
dose of caffeine in man is stated to be 10 g.” (CAN) Veno-occlusive disease has been attributed
to overconsumption of maté for years. In Uruguay, where esophageal cancer is major, heavy
consumption of maté seemed to elevate relative risks of cancer by “6.5 and 34.6 in men and
women, respectively” (CAN).
Extracts (Maté) — Extracts vasodilatory in rat endothelium (ABS). Maté alone can reduce the
appetite (CAN). Caffeine reduces appetite too. Caffeine has dozens of reported activities, suggesting
its potential in asthma, dermatosis, flu, herpes, nausea, obesity, even viruses. It is a phosphodi-
esterase inhibitor, like theophylline and theobromine. So is Viagra. Theophylline is used in anti-
asthma aspirators. Many caffeine activities are shared, perhaps synergistically with theophylline
and theobromine.MATICO (Piper aduncum L.) ++Synonyms: Piper angustifolium Ruiz & Pav., P. celtidifolium Kunth, P. elongatum Vahl.
Activities (Matico) — Antiseptic (f; DAV); Aphrodisiac (f; HHB); Astringent (1; MAD); Diuretic
(f; HHB; JFM); Hemostat (1; MAD; PH2); Insecticide (f; JFM); Laxative (f; JFM); Sedative (f;
JFM); Stimulant (f; JFM; MAD); Tonic (f; MAD); Vulnerary (f; MAD).