"Antimicrobial activity of extracts of the leaves and branches of Ilex paraguariensis (erva-mate)". For the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of Ilex paraguariensis six microorganisms were used: Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. In disks of filter paper 10 µl of hydro-alcoholic extracts of the leaves and branches from two distinct environments were added, with and without sun exposure. The extracts have inhibited levedura, gram-negative bacillus and gram-positive cocos, with no activity to Escherichia coli.