The Guarani (Guarani, in Brazilian Portuguese) people started drinking Mate in the region that now includes Paraguay, southern Brazil, north-east Argentina, and Uruguay.

Used as a stimulant to relieve mental and physical tiredness (fatigue), as well as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). It is also used for heart-related complaints.

The Guarani have a legend that says that the Goddesses of the Moon and the Cloud came to the Earth one day to visit it but they instead found a Yaguaretè (a Jaguar) that was going to attack them. An old man saved them, and, in compensation, the Goddesses gave the old man a new king of plant, from which he could prepare a “drink of friendship”.