Assessing the use of yerba mate with other medicinal plants in Lebanon

Abstract

Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a beverage that is highly consumed by certain communities in Lebanon. Several studies have shown the benefits of yerba mate consumption on one's health. Also, Lebanese add to their hot drink some medicinal plants that have been acquired by the society from the Arabian folk medicine. Many studies have been conducted, yet little is known about its effect on the Lebanese health, as they have been consuming it for almost 100 years. Therefore, this study was done to assess the use of yerba mate and medicinal plants. A questionnaire was distributed among 200 local Lebanese living in mountain's villages, suburbs and cities. Data was collected from yerba mate drinkers, yerba mate nondrinkers and medicinal plant drinkers. The reliability measures for this study were calculated using Cronbach's alpha. The results revealed that yerba mate is considered as a medicinal plant by less than half of the local Lebanese by its own medicinal virtues. This plant, however, is perceived by 36.5% of the participants as a very important vehicle for medicinal plants intake, where rosemary, chamomile, and aniseed are the mostly used. In addition, yerba mate drinkers use it, in the belief that it can treat diabetes, promotes a better heart health, eases digestion, relieves cold symptoms and ulcers irritations, lessen nausea, boosts immunity, mitigates menstruation and musculoskeletal problems, , aids in weight loss and cancer prevention, as well as lowering the cholesterol level.