Yohimbe
What is Yohimbe?
Alternate Names: Pausinystalia yohimbe
Yohimbe is an evergreen tree that grows in western Africa in Nigeria, Cameroon, the Congo and Gabon.
The bark of the tree contains the active compounds called alkaloids. The principal alkaloid is called yohimbine.
Yohimbine is a prescription drug in the United States for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Its popularity has waned since the introduction of Viagra.
Yohimbe bark extracts are also sold in health food stores and online. In Germany, it is not approved for use. Yohimbe can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure, as well as anxiety and other side effects.
Why Do People Use Yohimbe?
Traditionally, yohimbe was used in Africa for fever, coughs, leprosy, and as an aphrodisiac. Today, yohimbe is promoted for the following conditions:
* Erectile dysfunction
Yohimbe bark extracts are widely promoted online and in health food stores as a natural aphrodisiac to increase libido and treat erectile dysfunction. However, there is no evidence to show that the herbal supplements work. Most clinical studies have looked at the drug yohimbine and not the herbal extract yohimbe.
Yohimbine has been found to relax and dilate blood vessels in the penis, resulting in increased blood flow and erection. It may also stimulate areas in the brain involved in sexual desire.
Studies on the effectiveness of yohimbine have had conflicting findings. For organic erectile dysfunction (erectile dysfunction caused by a physical problem), one small uncontrolled study found that yohimbine was beneficial for men with organic erectile dysfunction. Another study found it was no more effective than a placebo.
Yohimbine appears to work better for erectile dysfunction not caused by a physical problem. A German study examined whether 30 mg/day of yohimbine for 4 weeks would help men with erectile dysfunction not due to a physical problem. Yohimbine was found to be more effective than placebo (71% vs 45%).
To date, there have been no studies comparing yohimbine to newer drugs such as Viagra.
* Weight Loss
Yohimbine has been found to increase lipolysis by increasing the release of norepinephrine available to fat cells and blocking alpha-2 receptor activation. However, a controlled study found that 43 mg/day yohimbe had no effect on body weight, body mass index, body fat, fat distribution, and cholesterol levels.
* Depression
Yohimbe has been promoted as a herbal remedy for depression, because it blocks an enzyme called monoamine oxidase. However, this is only found in higher doses (over 50 mg/day), which is potentially unsafe.
Safety
In Germany, yohimbe is on the Commission E (the country's herbal regulatory agency). list of unapproved herbs because of concerns about the herb's safety and effectiveness. In the United States, the FDA has had a number of reports of seizures and kidney failure following the use of yohimbe.
Yohimbe is not recommended because it has a very narrow therapeutic index. There is a relatively small dosing range--below it, the herb doesn’t work and above it the herb is toxic. Side effects of normal dosages may include dizziness, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and increased blood pressure. As little as 40 mg a day can cause severe side effects, such as dangerous changes in blood pressure, hallucinations, paralysis. Overdose can be fatal.
Because yohimbe blocks the enzyme monoamine oxidase, people taking yohimbe must avoid all tyramine-containing foods (e.g., liver, cheeses, red wine) and over-the-counter products that contain the ingredient phenylpropanolamine, such as nasal decongestants.
People with kidney or liver disease, stomach ulcers, heart disease, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, post-traumatic stress disorder, and panic disorder should not take yohimbe.
Yohimbe should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women, children, or elderly people.
Yohimbe should not be combined with antidepressant drugs unless under the supervision of a physician.
Sources
Guay AT et al. "Yohimbine treatment of organic erectile dysfunction in a dose-escalation trial". International Journal of Impotence Research. 14.1 (2002):25-31.
Mann K et al. "Effects of yohimbine on sexual experiences and nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity in erectile dysfunction". Archives of Sexual Behavior. 25.1 (1996):1-16.
Morales A et al. "Is yohimbine effective in the treatment of organic impotence? Results of a controlled trial". Journal of Urology. 137.6 (1987):1168-72.
Sax L. "Yohimbine does not affect fat distribution in men". International Journal of Obesity. 15.9 (1991):561-5.
Vogt HJ et al. "Double-blind, placebo-controlled safety and efficacy trial with yohimbine hydrochloride in the treatment of nonorganic erectile dysfunction". International Journal of Impotence Research. 9.3 (1997):155-61.
Yohimbine is a tryptamine alkaloid and is the active chemical constituent of the medicinal herb Pausinystalia yohimbe (formerly Corynanthe yohimbe), also known as yohimbe or yohimbe bark. Yohimbine is a stimulant drug and purportedly has aphrodisiac qualities.
Aphrodisiac
The NIH states that yohimbine hydrochloride is the standardized form of yohimbine that is available as a prescription medicine in the United States, and has been shown in human studies to be effective in the treatment of male impotence.[1]
Yohimbine Hydrochloride, USP—a standardized form of yohimbine—is a prescription medicine that has been used to treat erectile dysfunction.[2] Controlled studies suggest that it is not always an effective treatment for impotence, and evidence of increased sex drive (libido) is anecdotal only.[3]
It cannot be excluded that orally administered yohimbine can have a beneficial effect in some patients with ED. The conflicting results available may be attributed to differences in drug design, patient selection, and definitions of positive response. However, generally, available results of treatment are not impressive.
– Review of literature on Yohimbine studies 2000., (Morales, 2000b)
Yohimbine has been shown to be effective in the reversal of sexual satiety and exhaustion in male rats.[4] Yohimbine has also been shown to increase the volume of ejaculated semen in dogs, with the effect lasting at least five hours after administration.[5] Yohimbine has been shown to be effective in the treatment of orgasmic dysfunction in men.[6]
[edit] Other uses
Yohimbine hydrochloride has also been used for the treatment of sexual side effects caused by some antidepressants (SSRIs), female hyposexual disorder, as a blood pressure boosting agent in autonomic failure, xerostomia, and as a probe for noradrenergic activity.
Yohimbine has been used to facilitate recall of traumatic memories in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).[7] Use of yohimbine outside therapeutic settings may not be appropriate for persons suffering from PTSD.[8]
According to one study, oral yohimbine supplementation may actuate significant fat loss in athletes.[9] Some internet shops sell expensive formulations of yohimbine for transdermal delivery to effect a local reduction of adipose tissue, although there is no experimental evidence that it is effective. Demand for products of this kind is frequently found in the bodybuilding community.
In veterinary medicine, yohimbine is used to reverse anesthesia from the drug xylazine in small and large animals.
[edit] Pharmacology
Yohimbine has high affinity for the a2A-adrenergic, a2B-adrenergic, and a2C-adrenergic receptors, moderate affinity for the 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D, 5-HT2B, and D2 receptors, and weak affinity for the D3 receptor.[10] Yohimbine also has unknown but significant affinity for the 5-HT2A receptor. Yohimbine behaves as an antagonist at all receptors except for the 5-HT1A, 5-HT1D, and 5-HT2A receptors, where it acts as a weak partial agonist.[10]
[edit] Production
Yohimbine is the principal alkaloid of the bark of the West African evergreen Pausinystalia yohimbe Pierre (formerly Corynanthe yohimbe), family Rubiaceae (Madder family). There are 31 other yohimbane alkaloids found in Yohimbe. In Africa, yohimbe has traditionally been used as an aphrodisiac.[2] However, it is very important to note that while the terms yohimbine, yohimbine hydrochloride, and yohimbe bark extract are related, they are not interchangeable.[1]
The main active chemical present in yohimbe bark is yohimbine HCl (indole alkaloid), found in the bark of the Pausinystalia yohimbe tree.
However, the levels of yohimbine that are present in yohimbe bark extract are variable and often very low.[1] Therefore, although yohimbe bark has been used traditionally to reduce male erectile dysfunction, there is not enough scientific evidence to form a definitive conclusion in this area.
[edit] Adverse effects
Yohimbine has significant side effects, such as anxiety reactions. According to the Mayo Clinic, yohimbine can be dangerous if used in excessive amounts.[11]
Higher doses of oral yohimbine may create numerous side effects, such as rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, overstimulation, insomnia and/or sleeplessness. Some effects in rare cases were panic attacks, hallucinations, headaches, dizziness, and skin flushing.[12]
More serious adverse effects may include seizures and renal failure. Yohimbine should not be consumed by anyone with liver, kidney, heart disease, or a psychological disorder.[12]
The range between an effective dose and a dangerous dose is very narrow; too large of a dosage can be harmful and toxic.[12] This may also lead to precipitation of panic disorder type reactions.
Introduction
This fact sheet provides basic information about the herbA plant or part of a plant used for its flavor, scent, or potential therapeutic properties. Includes flowers, leaves, bark, fruit, seeds, stems, and roots. yohimbe—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. The yohimbe tree is a tall evergreen that is native to western Africa. The bark of the tree contains a chemical called yohimbine. The amount of yohimbine in dietary supplements may vary; some yohimbe products have been found to contain very little yohimbine. However, a standardized form of yohimbine—yohimbine hydrochloride—is available as a prescription medicine that has been studied and used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Common Names—yohimbe, yohimbe bark
Latin Names—Pausinystalia yohimbe
Top
What It Is Used For
* Yohimbe bark has traditionally been used in Africa as an aphrodisiac (to increase sexual desire).
* The herb is currently used for sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction in men.
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How It Is Used
* As a dietary supplementA product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements., the dried bark of the yohimbe tree is used as a tea and taken by mouth. An extract of the bark is also put into capsules and tablets.
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What the Science Says
* It is not known whether yohimbe is effective for any health conditions because clinical trials have not been conducted on the bark or its extract.*
*Although numerous studies of the prescription medicine yohimbine hydrochloride have been conducted, their results cannot be interpreted as evidence for the dietary supplement yohimbe.
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Side Effects and Cautions
* Yohimbe has been associated with high blood pressure, increased heart rate, headache, anxiety, dizziness, and sleeplessness. Yohimbe can be dangerous if taken in large doses or for long periods of time.
* People should use caution if taking yohimbe with MAO inhibitors or medicines for high blood pressure. Yohimbe should not be combined with tricyclic antidepressants or phenothiazines (a group of medicines used mostly for mental health conditions such as schizophrenia).
* People with kidney problems and people with psychiatric conditions should not use yohimbe.
* Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
Top
Sources
* Yohimbe bark extract. Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed on February 5, 2007.
* Yohimbe. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed on February 5, 2007.
* Yohimbe bark. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:429–431.
PORTUGUES
Yohimbe
Destaques do Produto
Yohimbe promove potência masculina, vitalidade e energia. É mais popular como um energético sexual, especialmente para os homens. Yohimbe é um nativo das árvores das florestas da África. Os suplementos são feitos da casca da árvore.
O que é?
Extraído da casca destas árvores "Pausinystalia yohimbe", Oeste Africanas, yohimbe tem um histórico longe e controverso como um estimulante sexual. Os antigos e populares curandeiros faziam um chá da casca para também ajudar a diminuir a inflamações na próstata, tratar a dor menstrual, e anestesiar a pele em pequenos procedimentos cirúrgicos.
Então, nos últimos anos de 1800 e inicio dos 1900, pesquisadores Europeus colocaram a casca debaixo do microscópio e isolaram um composto que sustenta o uso tradicional de yohimbe como um estimulante do desempenho sexual. Dubbed yohimbine, esse alcalóide isolado aumenta o fluxo de sangue para o pênis. Ele faz isso aumentando a saída adrenal da norepinefrina, um hormônio necessitado para as ereções. A pílula popular de impotência chamada de Viagra, faz a sua mágica de uma forma similar.
Pelo fato de que os níveis de norepinefrina podem aumentar a pressão do sangue e velocidade do coração, o FDA requer que um doutor escreva uma prescrição (receita) médica para este extrato concentrado. Sem surpreender, produtos de “potência masculina” dizendo que contêm yohimbine também estão disponíveis abertamente (ilegalmente) na internet. Entretanto, provavelmente nenhum deles contém yohimbine suficiente para ser eficazes. Além disso, produtos contendo a casca de yohimbe e/ou yohimbine são vendidos rotineiramente em lojas de alimentos de saúde; eles também provavelmente têm muito pouco das substanciais chaves para serem eficazes.
Para assegurar os resultados, os homens que sofrem de impotência, também conhecido como disfunção erétil (ou ED), devem obter uma receita médica para yohimbine do seu doutor.
Pau de Cabinda Afrodisiaco Natural Desde 10,50 €
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