The South American Indians began to drink yerba mate in the pre-Columbian era. They used to infuse yerba in cups of a distinctive shape, and drank it filtering through their teeth. Some time later an ordinary straw was introduced to the drinking ritual, but it turned out not to be a very convenient idea as the grinded holly leaves managed to get to the drinker's mouth. With time, a bamboo tube with one end blocked and small holes was introduced, and it was a great idea. From this moment on yerba was drunk only through a tube with a strainer at its end - a bombilla prototype. With the civilisation development, mass production of metal bombillas was established. A metal bombilla evidenced its owner's well-being. Various ornaments and incrustations showed wealth and prosperity. However, Indians still drink yerba mate using bamboo bombillas, even though there are some who prefer a metal one, which can be used for a long time and cleaned with no danger of getting blocked.

After the colonizers arrived in South America, they were quick to realise the benefits of drinking yerba mate. Indians who helped newcomers from Europe move around the unknown land could easily stand a long march with no food. Every once in a while, a sip of the mysterious drink was all they needed. The sailors quickly learned to drink yerba mate to overcome fatigue and scurvy.

When Spanish Jesuits arrived at the end of the 16th century, they almost immediately realised the benefits of Ilex paraguariensis and in fact, they were the first to cultivate it! By the Jesuits' missions big farming colonies called reductions were established. Indian people were the main workforce of the reductions. The plantations reaped great income and helped create the so-called Jesuits' state of a considerable political importance. After the Jesuit order was suppressed in the 18th century the plantations deteriorated and some magnificent buildings were covered by forest.

South American cowboys ('gauchos') who occupy themselves with breeding cattle and horse breaking have always drank yerba mate. Their 'survival kit' used in their nomadic life included: a steel bombilla, a wooden or metal mate cup, a kettle and, of course, yerba mate.

In the 18/19th century the wealthy landlords could afford the most expensive and beautifully incrusted mate' cups and bombillas, and servants were asked to prepare the drink for their masters.

In the middle of the 19th century a French doctor and naturalist Amadeo Bonpland started scientific studies, developing further research that allowed to establish the very first plantations in the Jesuits' mission in San Ignacio. The yerba mate plantations started to revive themselves, with a significant role being played by the Polish settlers from the beginning of the 20th century. Even nowadays the cart used by the Polish settlers is called 'carro polaco'.

In the 20th century the ritual of drinking yerba mate spread quickly all over the world. Currently the production of Ilex paraguariensis is over 300 million tons per year (!) and it is still growing.