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 The Yohimbe tree is a tall evergreen that originated in
southwestern Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and the Congo. The bark of
this West African tree provides a number of medicinal uses. Some
researchers and botanists believe that the yohimbe tree may be
endangered due to over-harvesting.
Orginally, yohimbe bark
was used by west Africans for a variety of conditions including
fever, cough, and even leprosy. Yohimbe has also been used to dilate
pupils, prevent heart disease, and could be an effective anesthetic.
More recently yohimbe has been used as an aphrodisiac and
hallucinogen.
Yohimbe bark is harvested during the rainy
season, May to September, when its alkaloid content is highest.
Since stripping the yohimbe tree of its bark eventually kills the
tree, new yohimbe trees are planted regularly. New trees grow
relatively fast and can even sprout from the stump of a dead
one.
The primary active constituent in yohimbe bark is the
alkaloid yohimbe, although yohimbe bark also contains a number of
other important alkaloids. Yohimbine blocks alpha-2 adrenergic
receptors which are part of the sympathetic nervous system. It has
also been reported that yohimbe dilates blood vessels and may even
inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO), whereby preventing a number of
depressive disorders. However, unlike St. John's wort and other
popular herbs, yohimbe does not have the research to support its
medicinal claims.
Today yohimbe is considered effective to
use in connection with erectile dysfunction in men. It also has the
ability to inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO) and therefore may be
beneficial when used in connection with certain depressive
disorders.
Dosage and
Administration
The recommended dosage of yohimbine
for use with erectile dysfunction and most other conditions is 15 to
30 mg per day. When supplementing with a tincture of yohimbe bark,
taking 5 to 10 drops three times a day is a common
dosage.
Precautions & Side
Effects
Although most of these are rare, side
effects of yohimbe and yohimbine include dizziness, nausea,
insomnia, anxiety, increased blood pressure, and rapid heart beat.
It is strongly recommended that individuals with kidney disease,
peptic ulcers, or that are pregnant not use yohimbe. It is also
recommended that children not use yohimbe since it has been
associated with anxiety disorders in adolescents. Never take more
than 40 mg per day or you may experience serious side
effects.
Yohimbe and yohimbine may cause miscarriage or birth
defects if taken by a pregnant woman. Because they may produce
anxiety disorders in children, yohimbe and yohimbine should also be
avoided by children and breast-feeding women. Individuals with
benign prostate hyperplasia, high blood pressure, or kidney diseases
should not take products made from yohimbe, which may worsen these
conditions. Taking yohimbe or yohimbine may also trigger or
aggravate mental conditions such as depression or
schizophrenia.
Always consult with a doctor when starting a
new supplement.
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