Yohimbine HCl is the chemical extract of the herbal remedy yohimbe. Yohimbine is a prescription medication used to treat impotence in men. Like yohimbine, muira puama is also used for treating male sexual dysfunction, but it remains a traditional herbal remedy. Before you begin taking muira puama, consult your doctor to discuss the proper dosage and potential dangers.
Identification
Muira puama is a natural remedy made from the bark and roots of several shrub species belonging to the Ptychopetalum genus, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Muira puama grows natively in the Amazon rain forest of Brazil and has been used mainly for treating sexual dysfunction and low libido in both men and women. Since the 1930s, muira puama has been used as an herbal remedy for impotence in men, according to Drugs.com.
Function
Muira puama roots and bark contain a variety of chemical constituents, including a volatile oil, alkaloids, coumarin, fatty acids and sterols, Drugs.com notes. Contrary to some earlier beliefs, muira puama doesn't contain yohimbine. Yohimbine acts to treat erectile dysfunction by increasing peripheral blood circulation, according to the Mayo Clinic. The exact action of muira puama on treating male sexual dysfunction and its other purported uses is unclear, however. Muira puama appears to potentially increase acetylcholine levels in the brain, which contributes to mental function, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Effects
Like yohimbine, the main use of muira puama is for treating male sexual dysfunction and impotence, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Muira puama may also help to improve mental function. According to the traditional herbal uses, you might use the remedy to help treat neuromuscular problems, arthritis or rheumatism and gastrointestinal ailments, Drugs.com notes. Although muira puama has been suggested as an alternative to yohimbine for treating impotence, no widely-accepted, conclusive scientific evidence supports the use of muira puama to treat erectile dysfunction or any other medical condition.
Dosage
Muira puama is most commonly found as a liquid alcohol extract, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dosages may vary depending on the product brand. Usually, the average dosage of muira puama is 0.5 to 1.5 g per day --- if it's in the form of a raw supplement containing the roots, stem and leaves, Drugs.com notes. Ask your physician about the dosage that's right for you before taking any amount of muira puama.
Warning
Unfortunately, muira puama hasn't been studied enough to establish side effects, drug interactions or other health dangers, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. No serious adverse effects have been seen thus far in the limited scientific research, however. The Mayo Clinic says Yohimbine can cause potentially dangerous side effects like elevated blood pressure and rapid heartbeat. But muira puama doesn't appear to have these possible side effects like yohimbine, according to Drugs.com.
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