Yerba Mate …go the long distance

Yerba Mate is a tea of endurance for both your physical body and your emotional self. Long enjoyed by indigenous people of South America for promoting health, especially when travelling long journeys or food is short. They often drink one or two cups per day, but may even enjoy a few quarts of this invigorating golden liquid for support on their most stressful of days. If you are in the midst of change or dealing with a long-term struggle, yerba mate may help as it has been shown to help with fatigue, sleep disorders, obesity and more...

During long, hot days, this tea is a welcome refreshment to rejuvenate the body. You can enjoy it hot, cold, sweet, plain, with milk – and even as world class gelato at Cones on Bleecker Street in New York City. Brewed hot, but never boiled, yerba mate is revered for its ability to reduce fatigue, enliven the mind, support stamina, and revive vitality.

While Americans might turn to coffee or a cold soda-pop for refreshment, yerba mate seems to revitalize without the nervousness, addiction, or other side-affects that caffeine can have. According to Daniel Mowrey on CBS moneywatch.com, “A common, but remarkable, observation of yerba mate is its ability to stabilize sleep cycles, inducing more REM sleep where necessary.”

Yerba mate ensures you go the distance both physically and emotionally by helping manage obesity, benefiting the cardiovascular system, preventing liver damage, and supporting vitality due to its high level of antioxidants. Appreciated as a rich source “of biological compounds for the nutraceutical industry”, this enduring herb can help improve cholesterol levels and therefore help reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease. The benefits from the tea may come from its abundance of potassium, magnesium, and manganese. These three trace nutrients play critical roles in many processes within the body, especially during times of high stress or duress to help you go the distance.

Yerba Mate Chai Tea
Try this deliciously unique antioxidant powerhouse tea when you need the energy to last you throughout the day. This recipe is for one serving.

2 yerba mate tea bags
2 rooibos chai tea bags*
1 cup water
1/2 cup milk of choice
1 tablespoon honey, agave or raw sugar

Bring water to boil, add tea bags, cover and remove from heat. It is important not to boil the tea as that can destroy its antioxidants. Allow to steep for 5 minutes. Heat milk until hot, add sweetener and stir to dissolve. Pour tea into your favorite mug, add milk and enjoy!

_{*Trader Joe's carries Spiced Rooibos Ruby Red Chai and it tastes great! Another of Lydia’s favorite brands is Yogi Tea, they carry a Chai Rooibos which is a second best.}

Recipe provided by Lydia Marshall