Leslie Taylor, ND has earned many titles, but none seems to give her more delight than her moniker “White Witch of the Amazon.” The dynamic Texan tells a fascinating story of fighting off death with the help of a secret weapon – herbs from the South American rainforest. I found Leslie’s story so compelling that I doggedly pursued her for an interview for more than a year and a half. This post is about more than yerba mate; it’s about the benefits of all rainforest herbs.

Early in my study of yerba mate, I found the Tropical Plant Database.It is truly one of the best Internet references I ever found and I have always provided a direct link to the data about yerba mate. Talking with the owner/author of the site was a “must do” quest for me.

My September 2008 interview had been scheduled months ahead of time and I arrived at Raintree Nutrition, Inc. headquarters in Carson City, Nevada a few minutes before my 2:00 pm appointment. Following a cordial greeting, I sat down in Leslie Taylor’s office and was promptly given the third degree!

She wanted to know if I worked for any company that sold yerba mate or herbal products. Of course my answer was “No.” Then she asked if I had been hired by any such company to write about yerba mate. Same answer. She explained that she did not want to be a part of any “pseudo-research” that would bias an innocent consumer. I would say “amen” to that. Finally, I guess I passed her test, so we both relaxed and had a great conversation.

Taylor had been an active Texas businesswoman before she was diagnosed with acute myeloblastic leukemia in her early twenties. She called it a “gut cancer” and said: “It’s 100% fatal, 100% of the time.”  This was not the prognosis anyone I know would want to hear.

Leslie dutifully went to the M. D. Anderson Cancer Clinic in Houston for treatment and as she describes it: “I became their lab rat on all of this experimental stuff.” After 18 months of their treatments, the result was that she was dying from the treatments.

She had developed holes in her liver; her endocrine system was failing; and she was experiencing liver toxicity and renal failure. A side effect of one of the drugs meant to stimulate her pituitary gland even caused her to grow an inch and a half!

Then the doctors gave up on her and sent her home to die at age 24.

With nothing to lose, Leslie tenaciously began investigating “alternative” medicine. She immersed herself in a study of herbal medicines, diet, nutrition and other natural healing treatments. After another 18 months of her self-prescribed treatment she was diagnosed as “cancer free.” I asked if she thought she was cured or if the cancer was just in remission. She said: “I was over and done with that by the time I was 26. I just turned 50 this year, so (after) 25 years, I don’t think you can call that remission.”

You’re probably wondering: “Does Leslie Taylor drink yerba mate?”  Yes, she does drink yerba mate on occasion; but no, the herbal formula that ultimately healed her did not include yerba mate.

Once cured, Taylor pursued her interest in herbal medicines, eventually traveling to the Amazon rainforest in Peru and Brazil. Her interest turned into a calling and she began working with indigenous curanderos (“healers”) and shamans.

Shamans are the spiritual mediums and healers of various rainforest tribes. Taylor says in the U.S. they would be called herbalists. She worked closely with these tribal shamans to learn more about the healing powers of the rainforest herbs.

These tribal societies are strictly patriarchal and only men are recognized as shamans. Women can only rise to the rank of “witch” – a class lower than a shaman.  Through her work Taylor became known as the Bruja Blanca, or “White Witch” of the Amazon.

I asked if there were any herbs that she took daily. She smiled and said: “Everyone asks me that! I believe that herbal medicine is medicine. And, I believe you need it when you are sick.”

She went on to explain that we all need certain vitamins and other nutrients for general health and well being and even referred to the old adage “You are what you eat.” Her philosophy is that if you’re not eating well, you take vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to make up for the deficiency. Taylor noted that when she is traveling a lot and cannot maintain a proper diet, she will take a multi-vitamin; and if she is planning to be in the sun for any length of time, she will take a capsule that contains a natural sunscreen. “Everyone is looking for a magic bullet,” she says “that justifies a bad lifestyle habit.”

Her company sells herbs in a capsule form and also as extracts. I was interested to learn about making yerba mate as an extract. She quickly pointed out that Raintree Nutrition does not sell a yerba mate capsule or extract. They only sell it in a bulk form. It is a green, unroasted, wild-harvested Brazilian yerba mate that is finely milled into a leaf powder. It could be used to make capsules or extracts however.

When I pursued the idea of a yerba mate extract, I was treated to a university-level lecture on the process of making an herbal extract. She said it can be done of course, but she was somewhat skeptical that the extract would retain the same nutritional profile of yerba mate which is very complex.

Taylor expressed concern that tests to determine the potency and efficacy of a good yerba mate extract could overly emphasize the caffeine content. The danger being, out of all the nutrients in yerba mate, if the caffeine content was the only measurement standard, a producer could be tempted to just add caffeine to meet the standard. She said nobody really understands the unique effect and relationship of all the nutrients present in yerba mate. 

By this time, I wondered if perhaps she was “anti-yerba mate” and she assured me that she wasn’t because some of the proprietary Raintree product formulas contain yerba mate. She mentioned one of the products used for allergies as an example.

I learned a lot more about herbal medicines than I can share in this space; but you can learn more about the life and work of Leslie Taylor from her websites at: http://www.rain-tree.com and http://www.leslietaylor.net, or from her book: The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs –  A Guide to Understanding and Using Herbal Medicinals. I encourage you to do so.

Meanwhile, I think I need a mate!

Salud!

After their holiday indulgences, many folks are especially conscious of their weight. Therefore, this seems like a good time to respond to one of the most-asked questions about yerba mate: “How does yerba mate aid in weight loss?”

I am a little uncomfortable about writing on this subject, but over a period of several years, I have lost more than 30 pounds. I credit the last, and most difficult, ten pounds to yerba mate. This article will share what I have learned in the process. I hope it will provide you with some insight if you choose to use yerba mate in your own diet program. 

As you stroll along the busy avenidas of Buenos Aires, you can’t help but notice how “slim and trim” everybody looks. It’s so apparent, there is a special word to describe the overweight person you see in Buenos Aires. The word is tourist. Why is this? Is there something in the Argentine diet that makes them healthy and fit?

A weight problem is usually related to lifestyle choices. Many overweight people fantasize about losing weight, but their fantasy does not include any lifestyle changes. This reminds me of the classic definition of insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” If you want to indulge in the fantasy, then go ahead — spend your money on diet books, diet pills, diet programs and diet gurus. Unfortunately, your results will be mostly fantasy too. To lose the weight you gained from your current lifestyle, you have to change your lifestyle. It’s that simple.

There are two sides to the fitness coin – one is diet, the other is exercise — or stated differently — it’s calories in versus calories out. This should be obvious, yet most people seem to focus on one or the other, but not both. Results will come, but they are usually temporary.

To get control of your weight, you need a comprehensive health management plan. Remember those slim and trim folks in Buenos Aires? They have two things going for them. First, they do a lot more walking than we do here in the U. S.; and second, they drink a lot of yerba mate.

Here are the attributes of yerba mate that can have an impact on your weight loss program:

• ENERGY:  If feelings of lethargy are your excuse for not exercising, you need more energy. Yerba mate can provide that energy. The energy is more than the wake up “feeling” that you get from coffee — it’s real energy. This new found energy can be just the nudge you need to take a long walk, jog or ride a bike.
• APPETITE CONTROL:  If over-eating is a problem, you need to curb your appetite. One of the best known attributes of yerba mate is the feeling of gastric fullness. This will generally suppress unnecessary hunger.
• MOTIVATION:  If you feel stressed, out of sorts and lack motivation, maybe a better sense of well-being will help. Yerba mate’s unique, natural combination of nutrients produces a sense of peace and overall well-being.
• CALORIE CONTROL:  If you already eat a healthy cuisine and get plenty of exercise, you might still need to burn more calories. Yerba mate’s thermogenic properties will promote the burning of calories in your body.
• SLEEP:  If you aren’t getting enough sleep, or a restful enough sleep, you need to improve the sleep you do get. Sleep deprivation is one of many causes of weight gain. An often reported benefit of regular yerba mate consumption is a sounder, more restful sleep.

Allow me to offer a few more observations. One is the “period of adjustment.” If you are new to yerba mate, it may take a few weeks for your system to adapt to this new food stuff. Hang in there, because the same type of changes would occur with any abrupt change in your diet.

 The brand of yerba mate you choose can make a difference too. Since there is no standard to measure the nutrients against, there is no guarantee that every brand will deliver the nutrients in just the right proportions to promote weight loss in your body. Different brands have different attributes depending on how and where the yerba is grown or how it is harvested, cured and aged. These differences are manifested in variations of color, taste, potency and consistency. Experiment a little and choose a brand that works for you.

By this time, you are probably asking “How much should I drink?” I have always recommended three cups a day as an appropriate amount for an overall health management program. If you want to lose weight, increase the number of cups to four or five a day. Yerba mate is not usually consumed at meals, so you may want to schedule your drinks an hour before each meal. It is important to note here, that yerba mate does contain caffeine. It is a lower level of caffeine than coffee, but you probably don’t want to drink your mate in the evening. You should reduce the other sources of caffeine in your diet too.

When will you see results? In terms of weight loss, everybody is coming from a different starting point and results will vary. You might notice results in as little as two weeks, but why not give it a try for 45 days. Yerba mate is not a miracle drug; it is but one component of a responsible health management program and should be considered as an addition to a healthy diet and sufficient exercise after consultation with your doctor.

Salud!

(An excellent weight management website is: www.prevention.com )

The trendy infusion from South America appeals to different people for different reasons. It could be for good health, more energy, weight loss, mood enhancement, better concentration or just to be in vogue. Whatever the reason, one thing is for certain – people are talking about it.

Yerba mate has been talked about on the radio and all of the major daytime TV shows too, but despite all of the talk, most people in the U.S. have never heard of it.

On November 26, 2007, NBC’s “Today” show spotlighted five superfoods that most people have never heard of and – you guessed it – yerba mate was one of them. The segment featured food expert and writer Andrew Zimmern, the Travel Channel’s host of “Bizarre Foods.”

Watch the video clip below. (Just click the little arrow a few times to start it.) Pay particular attention to the show’s co-anchor, Meredith Vieira, as she sips a little mate through the bombilla. Her expression is priceless!

Sorry the video clip is no longer availaable!

I don’t know how many people will rush out and buy alligator steaks, but I’m sure its sales will go up. The same will be true for yerba mate. Many people will try this healthy alternative to their usual beverage for the first time. Some will just make a funny face, like Meredith did on the ”Today” show, but some will wisely make yerba mate a lifelong habit. 

Aren’t you glad that you already know about yerba mate?

Salud!

We live in a society that readily admits to being “addicted” to almost anything – TV, the internet, chocolate, fashion, watching celebrities, eating, jogging, shopping, you name it – and there is no stigma implied.  In this sense, you can even become addicted to yerba mate. We have workaholics and shopaholics; why not add yerbaholics?

For the connoisseur, the “so called” addiction to yerba mate is actually more of an appreciation, an enthusiasm or a passion. This type of devotion is not going to destroy lives the way illicit drugs do however. It is not illegal; I doubt that anyone would rob or hurt somebody to get a fix; you don’t have to be an adult to buy it; and you don’t need a doctor’s prescription.

Some folks argue that the caffeine in yerba mate is addictive. Studies sometimes conclude that caffeine can be abused. The much talked about substance is also present in coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, tea and the new “energy” drinks. However, caffeine tolerance varies by the individual and only a small percentage of people are sensitive to it.

If caffeine is so bad, why aren’t people more concerned? Where is the outrage? There is very little, because moderate consumption of caffeine is not a problem. It doesn’t destroy lives, it’s not against the law and people aren’t dying from it. Furthermore, caffeine, regardless of its source, offers a “pick-me-up” benefit that almost everyone appreciates. 

The International Food Information Council has concluded that daily consumption of 300 mg of caffeine per day is safe; they do not consider caffeine an addictive substance. A cup of yerba mate made with a tea bag has less than 50 mg of caffeine. This means that the average person can have up to six cups a day within the moderate zone. Coffee, on the other hand, has up to 135 mg of caffeine per cup. For people getting their daily stimulation from coffee, more than three cups could be considered abuse!

Originally, I started drinking yerba mate as a healthier way to get my morning jump-start and reduce my caffeine consumption at the same time. It has only a third to half the caffeine content of coffee and I enjoy my daily pick-me-up without the jitters. It is a good thing overall and, like most people, my caffeine consumption is moderate.

I have been drinking three to four cups of organic yerba mate every day for years now - it still makes me feel good. The low level of caffeine is quite acceptable and I have plenty of energy, a sense of peace, mental clarity and much more.

If I am addicted, I am truly glad.

Salud!

In 1964, investigators from the Pasteur Institute and the Paris Scientific Society noted that yerba mate contains “practically all of the vitamins necessary to sustain life.” Their powerful endorsement concluded that: ”It is difficult to find a plant in any area of the world equal to mate in nutritional value.” 

In other words - drinking yerba mate is good for you!

Daily consumption of this natural plant product from the South American rainforest is an ideal way to augment your overall health program. Here are some of the commonly accepted benefits:

For general health:

• Supplies vitamins, minerals and nutrients
• Boosts your immune system
• Cleans and detoxifies your blood
• Tones your nervous system
• Nourishes skin and hair

For an active lifestyle:

• Gives you more energy
• Relaxes your muscles
• Improves cardiovascular function
• Decreases your blood pressure
• Reduces fatigue

For weight control:

• Burns more calories
• Suppresses your appetite
• Improves your digestion
• Acts as a gentle purgative

For mental activity:

• Stimulates your mind
• Provides clarity
• Improves your mental focus
• Enhances your concentration

For respiratory functioning:

• Relieves most allergy symptoms
• Relieves asthma symptoms

For a happier life:

• Retards aging
• Promotes deeper sleep
• Relieves stress
• Produces a sense of peace and calm

I can personally attest to most of these claims. After suffering with seasonal allergies most of my life for example, I no longer resort to medications to alleviate the suffering. I can now enjoy a picnic in the park or a hike in the hills just like “normal” people. I have more than enough energy to walk three to five miles a day without even breaking a sweat; my body mass index is an ideal 22; my blood pressure is 110 over 65; I can concentrate at my desk for hours; I sleep soundly for six to eight hours every night; and I am healthy and content.

Yerba mate is not just a fad and this is not just my testimony. The same story has been repeated by thousands of people around the world who have taken the time to investigate and add yerba mate to their daily diet regimen.

All of the benefits listed above and more have been readily accepted by millions of South Americans for hundreds of years. Clinical studies and research are not necessary to prove its efficacy to them. However, the rest of the world is skeptical – even suspicious. There is a reason for this I suppose; yerba mate is only grown in the great, central rainforest of South America. It is foreign everywhere else.

But, for the curious, the scientific and the skeptics, studies are always being done; and the studies continually support the commonly held belief – yerba mate is good for you!