Yohimbe

Yohimbe (yoh-HIM-bay) is a tree native to West Africa.

Yohimbine

Common Names: yohimbe, johimbe

Latin Names: Pausinystalia yohimbe

Background

Yohimbe is an evergreen tree native to western Africa. It has a compound called yohimbine in its bark. The bark is used to make extracts, tablets, and capsules.

Use as a herbal medicine

In parts of Africa, tea made from yohimbe bark has been used as an aphrodisiac (to increase sexual desire).

Purported benefits

Yohimbe

Yohimbe is used as a dietary supplement for impotence, athletic performance, weight loss, chest pain, high blood pressure, diabetic neuropathy, and more.

Use and availability in the US

Yohimbine hydrochloride, a standardized form of yohimbine, is available in the United States as a prescription drug for erectile dysfunction. This is a different product than dietary supplements made from the bark of the tree.

Dietary supplements - limited quantity of active ingredient

The amount of yohimbine in dietary supplements may vary; some yohimbe products contain very little yohimbine.

Prescription medication versus dietary supplment

Yohimbe sold as a dietary supplement may not work like the prescription medication that contains yohimbine.

Safety

Yohimbe has been associated with heart attacks and seizures.

Yohimbe caused stomach problems, tachycardia (a rapid heartbeat), anxiety, and high blood pressure, according to a study comparing calls about yohimbe and other substances made to the California Poison Control System between 2000 and 2006. People calling about yohimbe were generally more likely to need medical care than other callers.

Limitations

Most yohimbe products don’t say how much yohimbine they contain. The amount may vary a lot among products, according to a recent analysis of 49 brands of supplements labeled as containing yohimbe or yohimbine for sale in the United States. Some of the yohimbine was either synthetic or from highly processed plant extract.

See also

• Ajmalicine

• Alstonine

• Corynanthine

• Deserpidine

• Mitragynine

• Rauwolscine

• Spegatrine

• Reserpine

• Rescinnamine

Yohimbe Resources
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