History
Yaupon Holly is a tree native to the Southeastern US. Its leaves were used for thousands of years by Southeastern native tribes as a stimulating beverage, medicinal plant & ceremonial drink. It is the only indigenous source of caffeine in North America and was the most sacred of our native medicinal plants. Yaupon is in the same Ilex family as Yerba Mate and Guayusa, also sacred plants from South America. Native American Sacred Plant For thousands of years, Yaupon was the most sacred plant in North America. Native Americans used Yaupon for traditional medicine, in sacred ceremonies, for friendship rituals and as a stimulating tea-like beverage. It was referred to as