Presumed Health Benefits – Legend and Tradition. For thousands of years Hawaiians have known what a supreme leaf it is. You could say that they were the test patients for this incredible powerhouse.  Revered and treasured as a sacred plant, Hawaiian's used mamaki for generations to aid in overall health and well-being.  With love and care, parents passed on the secret of mamaki to their children.  Now Mama-Kii™ is sharing that secret with you! Scientifically Reported Benefits An extensive scientific study was conducted at the University of Hawaii on mamaki tea. A collaborative effort between the Department of Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Science and the Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering was supportive of the benefits shared in Hawaiian folklore. (Kartika, Li, Wall, Nakamoto, Iwaoka, 2007) Three major antioxidants in mamaki leaves were identified in the University of Hawaii study. They are catechins, chlorogenic acid and rutin.

• Catechins are a type of antioxidant found in the greatest abundance in the leaves of the tea plant.  In smaller amounts, catechins are found in other foods such as red wine, chocolate, berries, and apples. The health benefits of tea catechins have been under close examination since the 1990s due to the strong association of tea with long life and health in many ancient cultures.
• Chlorogenic acid is a powerful antioxidant. It is commonly found in root vegetables such as carrots, radishes, turnips, and burdock.
• Rutin is a flavonoid in the polyphenol family.  Rutin is commonly found in red wine, buckwheat, citrus, and tomato skin. An animal study also showed that rutin is an antioxidant effective in controlling bodyweight.