What is Yaupon?
Yaupon Holly is a dioecious evergreen shrub that grows throughout the southwestern US, with its historical use by Native American's as a stimulating tea and ritualistic beverage dating back over 10,000 years in Florida. Yaupon Holly is one caffeinated plant in the holly genus (Ilex), related to other popular caffeinated products like Yerba Mate, Guayusa, and Kudingcha.
What makes it so special?
Studies show Yaupon Holly tea has high levels of important antioxidants, alkaloids, and flavonols that provide anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer activity and more in humans.
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Caffeine is a strong central nervous system stimulant, and the only alkaloid that can cross the blood-brain barrier. While the caffeine content of Yaupon tea is less than a cup of coffee, it is more than black tea at around 1-3% of the dry weight (50-80 mg per cup). Yaupon Tea is unique in that it has multiple other alkaloids that assist in the delivery of caffeine to your system. This limits many of the negative side effects associated with normal caffeine intake.
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Theobromine is the "pleasure molecule" also found in dark chocolate, known to stimulate soft muscle tissues in your body and produce feelings of calmness and relaxation. Researchers have also found theobromine consumption to strengthen tooth enamel more than dental fluoride treatments. Additionally, this vasodilator molecule helps counteract the jitteriness and achiness associated with caffeine intake by increasing blood flow.
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Theophylline is structurally similar to caffeine and theobromine, and acts as a vasodilator that opens blood vessels, allowing increased blood flow throughout your body. This also helps to counteract vasoconstriction, or the constriction of blood vessels caused by caffeine intake.
This image is taken from a comprehensive study on members of the Ilex genus, with a focus on Yerba Mate, Yaupon Holly, and Kudingcha. All these beverages boasts impressive benefits, including increased cardiovascular health, increased blood flow, as well as potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer abilities thanks to their high levels of antioxidants and other beneficial bioactive compounds.
Alkaloids in Yaupon
(Gan et al., 2018)
(Gan et al., 2018)
Denton, 2019; Edwards & Bennett, 2005; Gan et al., 2018)
Polyphenols in Yaupon
(Gan et al., 2018)
Chlorogenic Acid is a powerful antioxidant or polyphenol, found in coffee and Yaupon tea that prevents the oxidation and thus creation of free radicals throughout the body. This is why antioxidants are so important for human health, as the destructive power of free radicals throughout your body has been associated with everything from Alzheimers to increased aging. Additionally, this phytochemical slows the release of glucose in the body, as well as exerts anti-diabetic properties by reducing blood sugar levels.
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Ursolic Acid is naturally found in the skins and peels of many fruits and herbs, and is commonly used to support muscle growth, prevent memory impairment, support healthy weight management by promoting fat loss, and increase skeletal muscle formation and energy consumption throughout the body. Even more so, Ursolic acid has been shown to decrease the concentration of microorganisms that cause tooth decay and even has anti-cancer and nueroprotective properties.
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Rutin is another powerful antioxidant, specifically a citrus flavonoid, found in various fruits and vegetables. Research has shown it to help aid your body in the uptake of vitamin C, produce collagen, which makes up a person's connective tissues, and reduce arthritic pain. Additionally, thanks to its antioxidant properties, its been shown to reduce cholesterol, blood clots, and improve blood circulation. It's even said to strengthen and increase the flexibility of a person's blood vessels, as well as be a possible treatment for hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and cancer.
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Besides these three polyphenols, Yaupon Tea contains multiple other polyphenolic compounds, including 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid (cryptochlorogenic acid) and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (neochlorogenic acid). Each of these phenolic compounds provide unique qualities to humans that are yet to be fully researched.
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Denton, 2019; Gotter, 2017; Edwards & Bennett, 2005; Gan et al., 2018)
(Zuzurnetra, 2018)
Ecological Benefits of Yaupon
Communities, international leaders and organizations are calling for the implementation of sustainable eco-friendly business practices that aim at addressing the climate crisis and restoring natural habitats. Yaupon Holly cultivation fits within this model. Though currently it is seen as a nuisance rather that a valuable resource. Yaupon Holly grows extensively throughout the entire southeastern US. Its ability to grow in sandy, nutrient poor soils, combined with its quickness in growth and evergreen leaves, makes it a nightmare for landscapers and forest managers, but a great candidate for sustainable cultivation.
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An increase in urban development and suppressive fire management practices during the 20th century have left many ecosystems in the southeastern US under threat to damaging wildfires. One cause is the lack of high frequency, low severity wildfires that would naturally occur. The controlled harvesting of Yaupon Holly thickets can benefit the entire ecosystem by removing much of the understory that has caused negative changes in biodiversity and ecosystem structure.
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Yaupon Holly provide protection for various different bird and species thanks to its evergreen nature, and also provides necessary food for a wide variety of animals who indulge on the bright red berries. Be careful though, as these berries are mildly poisonous to humans and should not be consumed.
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Antioxidant Activity
Anti-inflammatory activity
Anti-Cancer
Anti-Obesity
Anti-Diabetic
Neuroprotective Activity
Cardiovascular Health
Metabolism Booster
Regulation of gut microbiome
Chemo-preventative Activity
No tannins = No bitterness Makes a delicous tea!
Yaupon in summary
Click for more:
How to make Yaupon Tea:
Simple step by step instructions to making your very own Yaupon Tea
Step 1: Aquire
Harvest your very own Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria). Take just the leaves and small branches, making sure not to remove too much from any one plant
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Warning: Make sure to properly I.D. any wild plant or herb before consuming!
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(Check out the FAQ's page for an I.D. guide)
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Note: Generally speaking, Yaupon Holly that is exposed to more sunlight and has more nitrogen available will produce more caffeine in it's leaves
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More so, it's thought that the highest caffeine content is in the spring and early summer, when Yaupon produces it's newest leaves. They appear smaller and lighter green throughout the branches
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Step 2: Wash and Dry
Once collected, simply wash the leaves with cold water and lay them on an oven sheet or drying rack to begin drying
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Make sure to remove any unwanted stems or debris before roasting!
Step 3: Roasting
While Yaupon has traditionally been dried in the sun over a matter of days, you can speed up the process by drying the leaves in an oven!
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Here are some times/temps for different tasting tea's
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250 degrees F for 30 min
300 degrees F for 8 min
300 degrees F for 30 min
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Note: Some qualities and flavors of the tea will be lost in this expedited drying process, so consider drying it naturally if you have the time
Step 4: Crush and Prepare
Once roasted to your liking, remove the Yaupon and let cool. The leaves should be noticeably dry and darker colored depending on how long you roasted for
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At this point, you'll want to crush the leaves either by hand or with a mortar and pestle
That's it!
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You've officially made North America's oldest beverage, filled with countless healthy compounds and stimulants to keep you energized and healthy!
Brewing Tips
1 teaspoon of loose leaf yaupon = 8 ounces of water
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Steep the leaves with boiling water (as hot as possible) for 10+ minutes for a strong brew
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Since Yaupon tea has very low amounts of tannins, there is almost no bitterness, so don't worry about steeping too long or adding sugar
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You can re-use the tea multiple times
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Add 3+ teaspoons into a jug of water to make a delicious cold-brew
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Combine with your favorite juice to make a healthy, refreshing drink!
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Check out this short video
ABOUT ME
My name is Andrew Kiley, I'm a student and researcher from UNC Wilmington. I created this website for my senior graduation project with the goal to highlight the history, heritage, and many benefits of Yaupon Holly consumption.
Contact
Andrew R. Kiley
University of North Carolina - Wilmington
B.S. in Environmental Science / Minor in Geospatial Technologies
(E): ark8841@uncw.edu
(P): (828) 606-5207