Muira puama has been a premier remedy, primarily as an aphrodisiac, for centuries in South America. It has an arousing effect, both physically and psychologically, on both men and women and is believed to increase testosterone production.
Botanical Name
Ptychopetalum olacoides
Part Used
Bark, Root.
Common Names
Muira Puama, Marapuama, Marapama, Potency Wood, Potenzholz
Brief History
Historically, all parts of the plants have been used medicinally, but the bark and roots are the primary parts of the plant utilised. It has long been employed in the Amazon by indigenous peoples for some purposes and found its way into herbal medicine in South America and Europe in the 1920s.
Indigenous tribes in Brazil use the roots and bark taken internally as a tea for treating sexual debility and impotence, neuromuscular problems, rheumatism, grippe, cardiac asthenia, gastrointestinal asthenia and to prevent baldness. It is also used externally in baths and massages for treating paralysis and beriberi.
Cultivation
Wild-collected. Prefers moist soil in the shade with a minimum temperature of 60-65F. Does not appear to be in cultivation. Roots, bark, wood and balsam are collected for liquid extracts.
Constituents
Therapeutic Properties
adaptogen, analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-fatigue, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, central nervous system tonic (tones, balances, strengthens), hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), memory-enhancer, nervine (balances/calms nerves), neurasthenic (reduces nerve pain), neuroprotective (protects brain cells)
Vitalist Properties
Temperature: Warm
Moisture: Drying
Therapeutic Indications
- erectile dysfunction and impotence
- male aphrodisiac and libido promoter
- tonic for males
- hair loss and balding
- central nervous system tonic and antidepressant
Primary Uses
Impotence and diminished sex drive
Muira puama is an excellent addition to or replacement for treatment with Yohimbe. Clinical studies of Muira puama in France have found that using the herb as a sole treatment restores sex drive and erectile function in 51 to 62 percent of cases. From the preliminary information, it appears that it works by enhancing both psychological and physical aspects of sexual function.
Clinical Research
Sexual Function
The benefits of treating impotence with Muira puama have been studied in two human trials in France, which reported that Muira puama was effective in improving libido and treating erectile dysfunction. In one French study among 262 male patients who experienced lack of sexual desire and the inability to attain or maintain an erection, 62% of the patients with loss of libido reported that the extract of Muira puama “had a dynamic effect,” and 51% of patients with erectile dysfunction felt that Muira puama was beneficial.
The second study evaluated the positive psychological benefits of Muira puama in 100 men with male sexual weakness. The therapeutic dosage was 1.5 g of a Muira puama extract daily. In their final report, researchers indicated Muira puama could “enhance libido [in 85% of test group], increase the frequency of intercourse [in 100%] and improve the ability to maintain an erection [in 90%].”
Dosage (Divided Daily)
• Dried Bark: 1,000 – 2,000mg (as a decoction)
• Dried Powder: 500 – 1,000mg (10:1 Extract)
• Tincture: 5 – 10mL (1:5)
Contraindications
None
Side effects
None
Interactions with other drugs
None
Bibliography
- Balch, P. A. (2002). Prescription for herbal healing. New York: Avery.
- Herbalpedia (2013)
- Taylor, L. (2005). The healing power of rainforest herbs: a guide to understanding and using herbal medicinals. Garden City Park, NY: Square One Publishers.
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