NOTE: Yohimbe herbal supplements are not legally available for over the counter sale in the UK and Ireland, but they may be prescribed by a qualified medical herbalist.The yohimbe tree is a tall evergreen that is native to Africa, mainly growing in the forests of south-western Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon and the Congo. The bark is used in herbal medicine.
Medicinal Properties of Yohimbe
Yohimbe contains an alkaloid called yohimbine, which has various properties:
Firstly, it blocks alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in the nervous system, which increases levels of catecholamines, such as adrenaline (epinephrine). This directly stimulates, blood flow and metabolic rate, which mobilises fats out of their storage areas so they can be burned for fuel.
Secondly, yohimbine dilates blood vessels, thus improving circulation to the body, especially the genitalia.
Thirdly, this active has the ability to inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO) and may help boost mood and relieve depression and anxiety. The herb yohimbe has also demonstrated an effect on libido in both men and women.
Yohimbe Herbal Remedies
Our herbalists recommend Yohimbe for the following disorders:
| Depression
| Enhance performance in sport
| Impotence
| Sexual performance and libido
| Support of cardiovascular health
| Weight-loss
Other Yohimbe Information
The active constituent in yohimbe is very effective at stimulating blood flow to the penis and is often prescribed for men who suffer from erectile dysfunction or impotence. Typically standardised yohimbe products containing 5-10 mg of the active agent, yohimbine, are normally prescribed 1-3 times daily, although some experts say that it works better at the lower dose of 5mg and is best taken with protein food to give a sustained release of its action.
The sexually enhancing actions of yohimbe are thought to be boosted further, when combined with zinc, ginkgo, tribulus, and/or arginine. In fact, when combined with arginine it can be taken to give nearly instant effects for erection problems, according to recent European research.
Yohimbe has been shown in research to help stimulate fat loss while suppressing the body’s ability to store fat and may be of use for women at losing weight from typical problems areas (hips, bottom and thighs). It also helps boost energy levels by its stimulating action, so is sometimes used by athletes.
Yohimbe has been used to treat depression and may even work synergistically with some SSRI antidepressant drugs but only with close medical supervision.
Western Africans used yohimbe bark historically as a treatment for coughs, fevers, leprosy, heart disease and as a local anaesthetic. In more recent times it has history of use as an aphrodisiac and a hallucinogenic agent.
Side Effects of Yohimbe
| At normal doses side effects of yohimbe are rare, however some sensitive individuals may experience anxiety, nausea, excess sweating, dizziness, disturbed sleep, blood pressure fluctuations and rapid heart beat. Yohimbe should not be taken at doses that provides more that 30mg of yohimbine per day. More than 40mg a day can cause undesirable and potentially dangerous side effects.
| Yohimbe should be completely avoided during pregnancy and lactation.
| People who suffer with kidney disease, heart problems, low blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers of the digestive tract, panic attacks or post-traumatic stress disorder should avoid using yohimbe.
| It is best to be mindful of increases in blood pressure when using yohimbe in combination with tyramine-containing foods (e.g., red wine, liver, and cheese).
| Yohimbe should not be used with MAO-inhibiting drugs, such as tranquillisers and antidepressants, because it may also inhibit MAO. In addition, the active ingredient in this herb can also prevent brimonidine (a topical eye medication for glaucoma) from working.
| When this article was written there were no other well-known side effects, drug interactions and contra-indications from using yohimbe.
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