Yohimbe is an evergreen tree that grows in Africa, specifically in Cameroon, Gabon and Zaire. In Africa, yohimbe has traditionally been used as an aphrodisiac and as a stimulant by warriors before battle. It is smoked to produce hallucinations. The bark of the yohimbe tree contains the chemical yohimbine, which has been used as a prescription medicine in the United States since the 1930s. However, yohimbe and yohimbe bark are available without a prescription as an herbal supplement, but neither has been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Uses
According to the National Center for Contemporary and Alternative Medicine, yohimbe is used for sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction. Yohimbe is also used for sexual problems arising from the use of selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, and for general sexual dysfunction in both males and females. Yohimbe has also been used for weight loss, exhaustion, chest pain, high blood pressure and diabetic nerve pain. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates yohimbe as possibly effective for the treatment of erectile dysfunction; however, no research studies have evaluated this claim. Research has shown that yohimbine can improve sexual dysfunction caused by SSRIs, but this has not been shown specifically for yohimbe bark.
Side Effects
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, side effects of yohimbe use include headache, anxiety, high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, tremors and insomnia. Reported severe side effects include irregular or rapid heartbeat, seizure, kidney failure and heart attack. According to the American Cancer Society, taking high doses of yohimbe orally can cause a drop in blood pressure, and it has been blamed for heart attacks and deaths. High doses of yohimbe may also cause difficulty in breathing and paralysis.
Interactions
Do not mix yohimbe with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, such as phenelzine and tranylcypromine. Exercise caution when using both yohimbe and antihypertensive drugs, as yohimbe can raise blood pressure and negate the effects of the drug. Also exercise caution while using yohimbe with tricyclic antidepressants, naloxone, phenothiazines and stimulant drugs. Yohimbe may also interact with other herbs and supplements. Concerns have been raised about the combination of yohimbe with caffeine or ephedra, as this may increase your risk of developing dangerously high blood pressure.
Special Warnings
Because of safety concerns, yohimbine should only be taken short-term under the supervision of a heathcare professional. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine recommends against the use of yohimbe by pregnant women and women who are breast-feeding. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database recommends that individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder, liver disease, kidney disease, high or low blood pressure, chest pain or heart disease, anxiety, depression or diabetes not use yohimbe, as it may worsen these conditions. Also, individuals with schizophrenia should use yohimbe with caution, as use may cause psychosis.
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