Ilex paraguariensis. Yerba mate, Jesuit's Brazil tea  Family: Aquifoliaceae  
The leaves are often called yerba (Spanish) or erva (Portuguese), both of which mean "herb". They contain caffeine (known in some parts of the world as mateine) and also contains related xanthine alkaloids and are harvested commercially. In South America this is used frequently in place of ordinary tea.
PART USED: Dried leaves
TASTE: Bitter and astringent ODOR: Slightly aromatic
ACTIONS
1. Stimulant to the central nervous system.[1,2]
2. Thymoleptic.[1]
3. Diuretic.[1,2]
4. Antirheumatic.[1]
5. Analgesic- mild.[1,2]
INDICATIONS
1. Psychogenic headache and fatigue.[1] Nervous depression.[1] Mild depression.[2]
2. Rheumatic pains[1,2] - in combination with other remedies.[2]
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Headache asociated with fatigue.[1]
PREPARATIONS  3X/day
Dried leaves 2-4 g, or by infusion.[1]
Liquid extract 1:1 in 25% alcohol   2-4 ml.[1]

          
ORIGIN: Brazil and Argentina.
DESCRIPTION: This is a tree which can grow up to 15 metres tall. The leaves appear in commerce either broken or as coarse powder. They are ovate, up to 15 cm long, with a crenate or serrate margin and a leathery texture.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research

The beneficial effects are due mainly to the caffeine and theobromine content.[1]
References
[1] Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations  R.C. Wren Revised by Elizabeth M. Williamson and Fred J Evans. First published in Great Britain in 1988 and reprinted in 1989 and 1994 by the C. W. Daniel Company Limited. 1 Church Path, Saffron Walden Essex. Published 1988 Printed and bound by Biddles, Guildford ISBN 085207 1973.

The positive effects of yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) in obesity
Alessandra Gambero, Marcelo L Ribeiro
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide over the past three decades. Global anti-obesity strategies focus on dietary and lifestyle modifications to slow the development of obesity. Research in the nutrition field has recently aroused considerable interest based on the potential of natural products to counteract obesity. Several studies have identified yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) as an excellent candidate. In this review, we evaluated the impact of yerba maté on obesity and obesity-related inflammation. Cellular studies demonstrate that yerba maté suppresses adipocyte differentiation and triglyceride accumulation and reduces inflammation. Animal studies show that yerba maté modulates signaling pathways that regulate adipogenesis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and insulin signaling responses. In summary, the data presented here showed that the use of yerba maté might be useful against obesity, improving the lipid parameters in humans and animal models. In addition, yerba maté modulates the expression of genes that are changed in the obese state and restores them to more normal levels of expression. In doing so, it addresses several of the abnormal and disease-causing factors associated with obesity. Protective and ameliorative effects on insulin resistance were also observed. Thus, as a general conclusion, it seems that yerba maté beverages and supplements might be helpful in the battle against obesity.
Nutrients 2015 Jan 22;7(2):730-50. doi: 10.3390/nu7020730. PMID: 25621503 PMCID: PMC4344557 DOI: 10.3390/nu7020730 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov