Yohimbe is the common name of a medicinal herb that comes from the Pausinystalia yohimbe, an evergreen tree found in parts of western Africa, including Cameroon, Congo, Gabon and Nigeria. Yohimbe is also the shortened form of the specific botanical name Pausinystalia yohimbe. The bark of the tall tree contains the chemical substance yohimbine. Manufacturers and users extract yohimbe bark and yohimbine to include in various medicinal products with different functions.
Function
Africans have long used yohimbe tree bark medicinally to treat cough, fever and leprosy, and for local anesthesia and pupil dilation. More recent applications include use as a hallucinogen and an aphrodisiac. In the United States, individuals use forms of yohimbe bark and yohimbine to treat health conditions that include sexual dysfunction, such as male impotence, and dry mouth. However, continued harvesting of yohimbe bark may cause the yohimbe tree to become endangered in the future.
Types
The four main medicinal substances related to the yohimbe tree are yohimbe bark, yohimbe bark extract, yohimbine and yohimbine hydrochloride. Yohimbe bark occurs as a dietary supplement in two main forms: a dried version in tea to drink and an extract in capsule or tablet format to take orally. Although yohimbe bark extract and yohimbine both derive from the yohimbe tree, they are not identical. Yohimbe bark extract contains variable amounts of yohimbine, and sometimes the amount is insignificant. The standardized form of yohimbine is yohimbine hydrochloride, which is available as a prescription medication in the United States.
Features
Yohimbine is an indole alkaloid capable of blocking alpha-2 adrenergic receptors found in the sympathetic nervous system. It can also inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase, similar to antidepressant drugs, and expand blood vessels, which facilitates increased blood flow to the penis, for example. Typical dosages of yohimbine hydrochloride for adults age 18 and older range from approximately 15 to 42 milligrams daily, often taken in three doses. A typical dosage of yohimbe bark extract is five to 10 drops daily in three doses. Children and adolescents should not take yohimbe or yohimbine hydrochloride.
Considerations
Numerous clinical trials on humans indicate yohimbine hydrochloride treats male impotence effectively, according to the National Institutes of Health. Scientific evidence and research are more limited regarding the effectiveness of yohimbe bark extract and yohimbine hydrochloride for treating other medical conditions such as dry mouth and low female sexual arousal. Tthe U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate herbs and dietary supplements like yohimbe as closely as drugs. Consequently, products with yohimbe and yohimbe bark extract may be unsafe and contain unpredictable levels of the substances.
Warning
Side effects related to yohimbe bark extract include agitation, headache, insomnia and pain while urinating. Side effects of yohimbine hydrochloride include aching muscles, cough, diarrhea and more frequent urination, in addition to an increased risk of anxiety, psychosis, manic episodes and panic attacks in mentally ill users. Both yohimbe bark extract and yohimbine hydrochloride may also cause identical side effects, such as flushed skin and tremors.
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