This herbal tea is popular in parts of South America. The leaves and twigs of the plant are dried, typically over a fire, and steeped in hot water to make a tea. It contains about 78 mg of caffeine per cup, which is typically more than regular tea but less than coffee.
Energy boost without the crash
It provides an energy boost without the coffee crash. It also helps with weight loss, digestion, heart health, and fighting cancer due to its high antioxidant content.
South Americans safely drink 1-4 liters of this herbal tea per day. Avid drinkers in the U.S., Canada, and Europe often consume 1-2 liters daily.
The plant behind the tea
The plant is a species of holly that grows in the rainforests of South America. Its leaves and twigs are used to make this herbal tea, which is traditionally consumed in countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil and Chile.
Preparation
The tea is prepared similarly to green and black teas by steeping the dried leaves in hot water. Drinking it is considered an important cultural tradition in many South American countries.
This tea contains 30-50 milligrams of caffeine per cup, less than coffee but more than most teas. It is native to the subtropical highlands of South America, specifically Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, and Southern Brazil.
Comparison to coffee
Compared to coffee, this provides an energy boost with less caffeine and more nutrients. It typically contains about 85 milligrams of caffeine per cup, while coffee has 95 milligrams. So it has slightly less caffeine than coffee.
Health benefits
Drinking this herbal tea helps promote digestion. Coffee can be highly acidic which may upset issues like IBS or GERD. In contrast, it helps fight parasites and keep the digestive tract clean.
The leaf powder has 196 active compounds including vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. This is more than green tea’s 144 active compounds. The antioxidants fight free radicals that are harmful to the body and help protect against chronic disease.
Loose leaf vs tea bags
Drinking this tea from a gourd produces a stronger energizing effect than from a tea bag. You can continuously refill a gourd while a tea bag is single use. So loose leaf provides more value.
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