Muira Puama Supplements

Muira puama is a flowering shrub native to Brazil and the Amazon forest. Also known as "potency wood," this botanical is traditionally used as a nerve stimulant and aphrodisiac to treat menstrual disorders, depression, anxiety and fatigue, and to enhance sexual function. Muira puama supplements are available in several forms, including whole bark, powdered bark and as a liquid extract. This herb may produce unwanted side effects, however, so check with your doctor before using to self-treat any condition.

Liquid Extract

According to the "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines," muira puama liquid extract can be made by heating together the powdered root and bark with "spirit of wine," or brandy and vegetable glycerin in a 10:2:1 ratio, respectively. The adult daily dosage of the extract is 0.5 to 2 ml, three times per day, taken in water or tea. However, when purchasing muira puama liquid extracts, keep in mind that producers may use different processing methods, with the product varying considerably in the concentration of volatile oils and other compounds from one to the other. For that matter, different species of the plant may be used. The preferred species is Ptychopetalum olacoides, but Ptychopetalum uncinatum may be used in the formula instead. Consult a certified herbalist or other professional health care provider for advice on brands of extracts and appropriate dosages.

Bark Chips

The chipped bark is sold in health food stores and from various online sources. The bark is used to make a decoction, or strong tea. It is also used to make alcohol-based tinctures.

Powdered Bark

The bark of muira puama can be purchased in bulk in powdered form. The powdered bark is also used to make tea, extracts and tinctures, or it is encapsulated in vegetable-based gel caps.

Catuama

Catuama is a traditional Brazilian herbal medicine used to enhance sexual performance that contains muira puama, ginger, guarana and catuaba, the latter of which is obtained from a variety of different tree barks native to Brazil. According to a study published in the Aug. 15, 2001 issue of "Phytotherapy Research", Catuama was shown to relax the corpus cavernosum in rabbits, which is the sponge-like penile tissue that fills with blood during an erection. Although each botanical was found to exert this effect, Paullinia cupana, an aqueous extract of guarana, was found to be the most effective when each component in the formula was investigated individually.

Other Combination Formulas

Muira puama is often combined with other herbs touted to boost energy, and possesses aphrodisiac properties. These herbs include, but are not limited to, damiana, yohimbe, passion flower, Saw palmetto, rhodiola, Ginkgo biloba, fo-ti and Coleus forskohlii. In addition, certain nutrients may be added to the formula, such as choline, DHEA, vitamin E and L-Arginine.