The People’s Pharmacycolumn is written by Joe and Teresa Graedon, a husband and wife team. Joe is a pharmacologist and Teresa is a medical anthropologist and nutrition expert. In addition to writing the weekly column, they have a website at: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

The People’s Pharmacy(R) franchise actually began in 1972 while the couple was doing research on herbal medicines in Mexico; but, it really took off with the 1976 publication of their best-selling book, also called People’s Pharmacy. This success was followed by the newspaper column and a radio program. The bottom line is: they have credentials.

On March 24, 2008, the following question appeared in their column:

I have high blood pressure and must avoid caffeine. Is yerba mate a caffeinated beverage? I don’t want to drink it if it would affect my blood pressure.

At this point, I was very excited. Now, read their answer:

Yerba mate is a favorite drink in Argentina. It is made from the leaves of a South American holly, and has about as much caffeine in it as coffee. If you need to avoid caffeine, you’ll have to forgo yerba mate.

Can you see why I was so disappointed? It looks as though they just blew this one off. Their answer suggests that the extent of their research and preparation was a quick look into an outdated medical reference book. I have seen this type of one sentence summary in medical reference books in libraries and bookstores. Up-to-date references, especially those emphasizing the rainforest herbs of South America, are readily available. I expected much more from the Graedons.

Over the years, I have truly enjoyed the Graedon’s quirky, yet believable, remedies such as:  eating gin-soaked raisins to relieve arthritis pain; placing a bar of soap under a bed sheet to stop restless leg syndrome and leg cramps; and using Listerine to control dandruff. With a rich, colorful history like that, it would not be a big stretch to expect a serious treatise about drinking yerba mate tea to control hayfever, fight fatigue and curtail appetite. Worse yet — I don’t think their answer even gave justice to the question!

I don’t have the same credentials as the Graedons, but after a little research, I have written my own answer to the question:

Yerba mate is an herbal infusion ( “tea” ) that has been used daily for centuries by millions of South Americans as a social drink and health tonic. The U.S. FDA has long included yerba mate on its list of common food substances generally recognized as safe ( “GRAS” ). It contains 196 identifiable, active nutrients including: 20 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids and more antioxidants than green tea. Its unique combination of xanthines — caffeine, theobromine and theophylline — act as a stimulant but without the side effects usually associated with coffee such as jitters, anxiety and stomach upset. According to the Yerba Mate Association of the Americas, the caffeine level of yerba mate ranges from 25 to 65 mg per 8-ounce cup, as compared to an average 30 mg for green tea, 50 mg for black tea and 135 mg for coffee. The ingredients stimulate the myocardial (heart) tissue and simultaneously relax smooth muscle tissue. For most healthy people, when consumed in moderation it is a good addition to a sensible diet.

A 2005 U.S. Patent cites yerba mate extract as an MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitor. For this reason, it is theorized that the use of yerba mate in conjunction with other MAO inhibitors may raise blood pressure. People seldom report problems with yerba mate; however, if you are sensitive to caffeine or avoiding it for medical reasons, you should use common sense when introducing yerba mate into your diet.

And finally, a note to Joe and Terry: I’ll continue to read your column, but please, in the future — do your homework!

Salud!