Yohimbe Bark & Prostate Health

Used for centuries in West Africa as an aphrodisiac, the bark of the tall evergreen tree Pausinystalia yohimbe is rich in pharmacologically active compounds. One of the compounds, the alkaloid yohimbine, was approved as a drug for the treatment of impotence in 1938. This alkaloid, while responsible for much of the herb's therapeutic activity, is only one of yohimbe's more than 30 psychoactive constituents, many of which are sedatives, stimulants or even tranquilizers. The stimulant activities and effects on male erectile tissue have led to the mistaken assumption that yohimbe affects hormonal levels or the glandular system in general. In fact, yohimbe has no effect on either testosterone levels, the testes, or the prostate. Yohimbe does have the potential to cause serious or even fatal side-effects, particularly when used improperly. Talk to your doctor before using products containing yohimbe.

Pharmacology

It takes only 20 minutes before it begins to work, as the alkaloid yohimbine is readily absorbed and transported throughout the body. An antagonist at presynaptic α2-adrenergic receptor sites, yohimbine has paradoxically both stimulant and sedative effects on the nervous system. The chemical effectively increases the body's own stimulating compound noradrenaline in the bloodstream. While this would normally impede male genital erection, yohimbine also promotes parasympathetic nervous system activity and blood nitric oxide levels, both of which are needed for erection. Its Ca2+ channel blocking activity may also assist in its promotion of genital tissue erection by promoting the displacement of blood into the body's cavernous tissues.

Other Active Constituents

Although yohimbine is considered to be the chemical responsible for its effects on genital tissue, the other alkaloids it contains may also play a part. Both corynantheine and dicorynantheine are believed to be sedatives and tranquilizers, as is ajmaline, which may counteract yohimbine's overstimulating properties and promote the parasympathetic nervous system activity needed for erection.

Side-Effects

Unlike modern pharmaceutical treatments for erectile dysfunction, yohimbe does not reduce blood pressure. In fact, several of the alkaloids can dramatically increase blood pressure. Consequently, yohimbe should not be used if you have heart disease, kidney disease, or hypertension. Common side-effects include anxiety, loss of appetite, headache, difficulty sleeping, and racing heart. Yohimbe may also decrease the time you need to achieve orgasm by increasing genital sensitivity and reflex excitability. This may be due to yohimbine's direct stimulation of nerves in the sacral region, which can also produce sensations of shivers, pins-and-needles or tingling in the lower back and spine.

Drug Interactions and Contraindications

Although MayoClinic.com lists yohimbine as a specific for erectile dysfunction due to stress, depression or other psychological causes, it may interact with several psychiatric drugs. Yohimbe should under no circumstances be combined with monoamine oxidase inhibiting or tricyclic antidepressants, as this may produce a fatal hypertensive crisis according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Stimulant antidepressants like bupropion or treatments for attention deficit like Adderall are listed by MayoClinic.com as toxic when combined with yohimbe. Due to the risk of dangerous side effects such as elevated heart rate and high blood pressure, never combine yohimbe with other stimulants.