MUIRA PUAMA

OTHER NAME(S):

Bois de la Puissance, Bois de la Puissance Sexuelle, Marapuama, Muira-Puama, Muirapuama, Potency Wood, Ptychopetali lignum, Ptychopetalum olacoides, Ptychopetalum uncinatum.<br/><br/>

Overview

Overview Information

Muira puama is a plant. The wood and root are used to make medicine.

Muira puama is used for preventing sexual disorders and to increase interest in sexual activity (as an aphrodisiac). It is also used for upset stomach, menstrual disorders, joint pain (rheumatism), and paralysis caused by poliomyelitis; and as a general tonic and an appetite stimulant.

Some people apply muira puama directly to the skin as an aphrodisiac and for rheumatism and muscle paralysis.

In combination with other herbs, muira puama is used as a remedy for male sexual performance problems (erectile dysfunction, ED).

How does it work?

The chemicals in muira puama have no known effects on the body.

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Sexual disorders. Early research suggests that taking 2-6 tablets of a specific product (Herbal vX) containing muira puama extract and ginkgo extract modestly improves sexual desire and the frequency of sexual intercourse in women with a low sex drive.
  • Stomach upset.
  • Menstrual disorders.
  • Sore joints.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of muira puama for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

It is not known if muira puama is safe or what the possible side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking muira puama if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

Interactions?

We currently have no information for MUIRA PUAMA Interactions.

Dosing

Dosing

The appropriate dose of muira puama depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for muira puama. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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View References

REFERENCES:

  • Antunes, E., Gordo, W. M., de Oliveira, J. F., Teixeira, C. E., Hyslop, S., and De, Nucci G. The relaxation of isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum by the herbal medicine Catuama and its constituents. Phytother.Res. 2001;15(5):416-421. View abstract.
  • Auterhoff, H. and Momberger, B. [Lipophilic constituent of Muira puama]. Arch.Pharm Ber.Dtsch Pharm Ges. 1971;304(3):223-228. View abstract.
  • Auterhoff, H. and Pankow, E. [Contents of Muira puama]. Arch Pharm Ber.Dtsch.Pharm Ges. 1968;301(7):481-489. View abstract.
  • da Silva, A. L., Piato, A. L., Bardini, S., Netto, C. A., Nunes, D. S., and Elisabetsky, E. Memory retrieval improvement by Ptychopetalum olacoides in young and aging mice. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004;95(2-3):199-203. View abstract.
  • Ito Y, Hirayama F, Aikawa Y, and et al. Constituents from Muira-puama (the roots of Ptychopetalum olacoides). Natural Medicines 1995;49(4):487.
  • Pankow, E. and Auterhoff, H. [Contents of Muira puama. 2]. Arch Pharm Ber.Dtsch.Pharm Ges. 1969;302(3):209-212. View abstract.
  • Siqueira, I. R., Cimarosti, H., Fochesatto, C., Nunes, D. S., Salbego, C., Elisabetsky, E., and Netto, C. A. Neuroprotective effects of Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham (Olacaceae) on oxygen and glucose deprivation induced damage in rat hippocampal slices. Life Sci 8-27-2004;75(15):1897-1906. View abstract.
  • Siqueira, I. R., Fochesatto, C., da Silva, A. L., Nunes, D. S., Battastini, A. M., Netto, C. A., and Elisabetsky, E. Ptychopetalum olacoides, a traditional Amazonian "nerve tonic", possesses anticholinesterase activity. Pharmacol.Biochem.Behav 2003;75(3):645-650. View abstract.
  • Steinmetz E. Muira puama. Quart J Crude Drug Res 1979;11(3):1787-1789.
  • Toyota A. Studies of Brazilian crude drugs. 1. Muira-puama. Shoyakugaku Zasshi (Natural Medicines) 1979;33(2):57.
  • Vaz ZR, Mata LV, and Calixto JB. Analgesic effect of the herbal medicine catuama in thermal and chemical models of nociception in mice. Phytotherapy Research 1997;11:101-106.
  • Waynberg J. Aphrodisiacs: contribution to the clinical validation of the traditional use of Ptychopetalum guyanna. The First International Congress on Ethnopharmacology 1990;
  • Waynberg J. Male sexual asthenia - interest in a traditional plant-derived medication. Ethnopharmacology 1995.
  • Waynberg J. Unpublished study of HV 430's effects on healthy males with sexual dysfunction. 2001.
  • Waynberg, J. and Brewer, S. Effects of Herbal vX on libido and sexual activity in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Adv Ther 2000;17(5):255-262. View abstract.
  • Bucci LR. Selected herbals and human exercise performance. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72:624S-36S.. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version. © Therapeutic Research Faculty 2009.