Also known under the name "Paraguay tea" or "The Jesuit Tea", the yerba mate leaves is known primarily for its active ingredient: caffeine. Indeed in some countries of South America, they consume Mate instead of coffee or tea.

In 1988, the Commission E (German Agency) recognized the medicinal use of Mate to combat mental and physical fatigue. Several studies have been conducted on caffeine contained Mate and its impact on the intellect and more particularly on memory, perception, learning and various cognitive functions.

The French and British Pharmacopoeia Mate consider as an adjunct to a program of weight loss, since caffeine has a appetite suppressant.