Ilex Paraguayensis
This is the tea plant of South America, where
it occupies the same important position in the domestic economy of
the country as the Chinese tea does in this. The _mate_ is
prepared by drying and roasting the leaves, which are then reduced
to
a powder and made into packages. When used, a small portion of
the powder is placed in a vessel, sugar is added, and boiling
water poured over the whole. It has an agreeable, slightly
aromatic odor, rather bitter to the taste, but very refreshing and
invigorating to the human frame after severe fatigue. It acts in
some degree as an aperient and diuretic, and in overdoses produces
intoxication. It contains the same active principle, theine as tea
and coffee, but not their volatile and empyreumatic oils.
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Next: Illicium Anisatum
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