Mate de Coca

In the highlands of Peru, I´ve been drinking a lot of coca tea to help with altitude sickness. I think it has actually helped (though I was told chewing the leaves was more effective).

I´m in Cuzco airport right now waiting for a flight to Arequipa. We just flew in from the jungle, so the altitude is bothering me again. I ordered some mate de coca (this time in a tea bag and not just the leaves). The package lists the ¨properties¨of coca tea:

  • Restorative and energetic
  • Excellent for diet.
  • Digestive.
  • Anti-diarrheac action
  • Acts against fatigue and alitude sickness.
  • Relieves tiredness of voice.
  • Regulates the metabolism of carbohidrate.

Sounds like the perfect tea, no?

2 Responses to “Mate de Coca”


  1. 1 Edddy

    I must add:
    * Acts against alcohol hangover

  2. 2 Sebastian

    I wouldn’t call it “Mate de coca” unless it’s actually being drunk from a mate. I don’t care what the wikipedia says :)

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mate_(beverage)

Leave a Reply