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.