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Quick answer: Kratom and yerba mate are unrelated plants. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a coffee-family tree from Southeast Asia, sold as leaf powder, capsules, shots and seltzers. Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a holly relative from South America, brewed as a tea in a gourd. They also differ in what they contain, how they’re prepared, and how they’re regulated.

What is the difference between kratom and yerba mate?

Where does kratom come from?

Kratom is a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family, native to Southeast Asia, as noted in the DEA’s kratom fact sheet. The leaves have been chewed fresh or dried and brewed in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia for generations. Today it’s sold as dried leaf ground into powder, packed into capsules, or extracted into shots and seltzers. Labels list alkaloid content, mainly mitragynine; our MIT percentage explainer covers how to read it.

Where does yerba mate come from?

Yerba mate is made from the dried leaves of Ilex paraguariensis, a relative of holly. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, the drink originated with the Guaraní people, and the plant is grown commercially in Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. Britannica notes that “the plant was first cultivated by Jesuit missionaries.” The drink is most common in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and southern Brazil.

How is each one prepared?

Yerba mate is traditionally steeped in hot, not boiling, water inside a dried hollow gourd and sipped through a bombilla, a metal straw with a strainer at one end. The gourd is refilled many times and often passed around a group. It also comes in tea bags and ready-to-drink cans.

Kratom powder is measured and mixed into water or another drink, or brewed as a tea. Capsules come pre-filled (Kratom Gorilla Jumbos hold 1 gram each), and shots and seltzers are ready to drink. Our kratom preparation methods guide covers the options, and the kratom vs kava comparison covers another commonly compared plant.

Bedrock does not advise on combining products or on how much of any product to use. Follow each product’s label, and ask a qualified medical professional about personal use.

How are kratom and yerba mate regulated?

Yerba mate is sold in the U.S. as an ordinary tea and food product in grocery stores. Kratom is different: it isn’t federally scheduled, but several states restrict or ban it, and in 2026 the DEA moved to temporarily schedule 7-OH. Bedrock sells leaf-only kratom, sells only to adults 21+, and doesn’t ship to restricted states. See our kratom legality by state tracker.

Where can you buy kratom?

Bedrock carries kratom leaf from its own brands: Kratom Gorilla (powders, capsules, Jumbos and 150mg shots) and Third Eye (Maeng Da powders from 60g, capsules and shots), plus Noms kratom seltzers. Bedrock doesn’t sell yerba mate.

Kratom vs yerba mate FAQ

Are kratom and yerba mate the same plant?

No. Kratom is Mitragyna speciosa, a tree in the coffee family (Rubiaceae) native to Southeast Asia. Yerba mate is Ilex paraguariensis, a relative of holly grown in South America. They are unrelated plants from different continents.

Does yerba mate contain kratom alkaloids?

No. Yerba mate’s leaves contain caffeine and tannin, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica. Kratom leaf’s main alkaloid is mitragynine, which yerba mate does not contain.

How is yerba mate traditionally prepared?

Dried yerba leaves are steeped in hot, not boiling, water inside a hollow gourd and sipped through a metal straw with a built-in strainer, called a bombilla. The gourd is refilled many times and often shared.

What formats does kratom come in?

Bedrock sells kratom leaf as powder, capsules, 150mg extract shots and seltzers, from owned brands like Kratom Gorilla, Third Eye and Noms.

Can I mix kratom and yerba mate?

Bedrock does not advise on combining products or on how much of any product to use. Follow each product’s label and ask a qualified medical professional about personal use.

Is yerba mate regulated like kratom?

Yerba mate is sold as an ordinary tea and food product. Kratom is not federally scheduled, but several states restrict or ban it, and the DEA moved in 2026 to temporarily schedule 7-OH. Check the kratom legality by state tracker before ordering kratom.

Must be 21 or older to purchase. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Verify your current local law before ordering.

Published by Bedrock Botanicals.