Positive Benefits Of Pausinystalia Yohimbe,

Other Common Names: Pausinystalia yohimbe, Corynanthe yohimbe

Range: Nigeria, Cameroon and the Congo

Habitat: Prefers rich soils in a protected part sun to shady position.

An evergreen tree, native of the rainforests of Nigeria, Cameroon and the Congo. This species is the only commercial source for the drug yohimbine. European and American pharmaceutical companies are purchasing hundreds of tonnes of bark every year, which comes from tens of thousands of mature trees. This is a rainforest tree of a population density of about 5 trees per hectare and it is almost at the verge of extinction in the wild due to poor government controls and lack of restraint by the pharmaceutical companies. The raw bark costs less than one US dollar per kilo from the harvesters and is resold in the west for the incredible profit of several thousand percent. Only one government has started to establish plantations, but they are still many years from producing the neede quantities. In the meantime the destruction goes on which will see this species virtually eliminated from it's native habitat. We urge that anyone contemplating the purchase of any yohimbe product should make enquiries as to whether it is plantation grown. The environmetally responsible facade of the pharma companies is not to be trusted unless they clearly state that it is plantation sourced rather than the so called "responsibly and sustainably harvested" material.

Yohimbe is the only medically recognised natural aphrodisiac and the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medicine for impotence. Its use as an aphrodisiac in its native area has been well documented and its unique effects were soon valued in many parts of the world, especially in Europe. Less well documented is the use of yohimbe as a visionary plant in ceremonies like the iboga rituals. In modern times yohimbe products have found a wide market, ranging from medically treated impotence and self administered sexual enhancement to 'smart products' and other herbal ecstacy formulations. It appears to have a very popular synergy with ephedrine containing herbs such as Ephedra sinica and Ephedra gerardiana.

There are several alkaloids in Pausinystalia yohimbe, but it is the yohimbine which is responsible for most of the recognised effects. Yohimbine is an indole alkaloid somewhat similar and related to ibogaine and mitragynine and is present in the bark of this species. In small doses of less than 10mg yohimbine it is used medically as a therapy for impotence and frigidity. Recent research has also shown a lot of promise in the treatment of fatigue in HIV patients without any noticable side effects. Larger doses of 10-50 mg are used as an aid in tantric sexual rituals (especially with dita) and in combination with ephedrine as a party smart-drug. Yohimbine causes the dilation of blood vessels in the lower abdomen which can cause long and very hard erections in men and genital stimulation in women. Dosages of 50-100 mg are hallucinogenic and highly stimulating. Dosages in excess of 50 mg, and especially in excess of 100mg can be very unpleasant and even dangerous. Yohimbine has also been used to treat hypertension, and this effect may have serious consequences for people with already low blood pressure, as fainting is common. On the other hand it can be used as a stimulant by people who cannot usually take most stimulants due to high blood pressure.

The active alkaloid, yohimbine bitartrate, is the component of the only allopathic medicines known to cause erection in impotent males and approaches the concept of an aphrodisiac. Yohimbine bitartrate particularly affects nerves and changes blood flow regulators in the genital area. The medical texts never mention that it does the same thing to women, showing a typical disregard for female erection.

For more than 70 years yohimbine has been used as a treatment for male and female sexual difficulties. It has enjoyed a reputation as an aphrodisiac although no effect on sexual drive in humans has been adequately demonstrated. Yohimbine has been evaluated in the management of erectile disorder by means of placebo-controlled but often poorly designed trials. It does appear to have a modest therapeutic benefit over placebo, particularly in essentially psychogenic erectile disorder, and is generally well tolerated.

Impotence (erectile dysfunction) affects an estimated 20 million men in North America and is usually defined as the inability to have penile erections sufficient for intercourse. It affects at least 25% of all men over the age of 50. A loss of libido and subsequent impotence has an organic etiology in over 85% of cases while the remainder are related to psychological problems.

Known Hazards: It shouldn't be taken with MAO inhibitors or by persons with high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, or a history of mental disturbance, especially including bipolar disorder. (The alkaloid yohimbine is NOT an MAO inhibitor. The herb yohimbe IS.)

Side effects can include anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations, elevated blood pressure and heart rate and dizziness.

  • Shaman Australis Botanicals - Pausinystalia yohimbe
  • Riley AJ. Br J Clin Pract 1994 May-Jun;48(3):133-6 Yohimbine in the treatment of erectile disorder.

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