Yohimbe: An Overview
What Is Yohimbe?
Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe) is an evergreen, shrub-like tree native to Central and Western Africa.
The yohimbe tree grows in arid conditions, with rough bark, and blooms with sprays of ovular leaves. The bark is the part that is primarily used in herbal medicine - and for good reason! Hidden in yohimbe bark is an aphrodisiac alkaloid called “yohimbine”. When the alkaloid yohimbine is extracted from yohimbe, it can be used for a vast number of reasons, the most well-known being for erectile dysfunction and athletic benefits.
What Are The Traditional Uses Of Yohimbe?
Throughout Western Africa there is a long history of use as an aphrodisiac and stimulant.
In Cameroon, yohimbe is used to treat cases of impotence and infertility. This is mirrored in the traditions of the Bantu people in Nigeria, and in many other West African countries where fertility rites of passage commonly involve drinking decoctions of yohimbe bark. The traditional way of taking yohimbe is by creating a decoction with the bark, effectively extracting a large amount of the beneficial compounds.
Yohimbe bark is also used by the Maasai people in a blended concoction called “otoriki”, which serves as a “warrior soup” intended to be drank as a stimulant in a ritual before battle.
What Is Yohimbine? How Does Yohimbine Work?
Yohimbine, the alkaloid found in yohimbe, is an indole alkaloid; one of the most powerful compounds found in the plant kingdom. The action of yohimbine has been extensively studied, and it is understood that yohimbine increases peripheral circulation and vasodilation.
What Else Should I Know About Yohimbe?
In addition to being an aphrodisiac, yohimbe is popular among athletes as a performance enhancing herb.
Yohimbe has a mildly stimulatory effect on the body, caused by its ability to increase adrenaline. It does this through interaction with the adrenergic receptors, which are a part of our sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response)
As well, one study observing sprint performance in athletes who took yohimbe compared to those who took a placebo revealed that yohimbe supplementation increased the body's ability to use oxygen efficiently and did improve the ability of the athletes to generate and maintain power output.
We are excited to see yohimbe emerge as a popular sports supplement, and can’t wait to see what future research brings.
Are You Still Curious About Yohimbe?
Next week we will talk about which herbs combine well with yohimbe. Check back soon to read it, or subscribe to our newsletter to be notified when it gets released.
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References
1. Ratsch, Christian., The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology and its Applications. Rochester: Park Street Press, 1998.
2. Dalziel, J.M. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa. London: Crown Agents, 1937.
3. Voogelbreinder, Snu, Garden of Eden: The Shamanic Use of Psychoactive Flora and Fauna, and the Study of Consciousness. Snu Voogelbreinder, 2009.
4. Ernst, E., Posadzki, P., and Lee, M. S. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for sexual dysfunction and erectile dysfunction in older men and women: an overview of systematic reviews. Maturitas 2011;70(1):37-41.
5. Grossman, E., Rea, R. F., Hoffman, A., and Goldstein, D. S. Yohimbine increases sympathetic nerve activity and norepinephrine spillover in normal volunteers. Am J Physiol 1991;260(1 Pt 2):R142-R147.