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Yohimbe
(Yohimbine) and Viagra are the only two substances that have ever been
approved by the FDA for the treatment of impotence. Yohimbe differs from
Viagra in that it is a natural herb available to everyone and costing much
less than the prescription drug Viagra.
Yohimbe is
derived from the inner bark of the African evergreen tree (Pausinystalia
yohimbe) that grows throughout the African nations of Cameroon, Gabon and
Zaire. (A similar plant in South America is called Quebracho.)
Yohimbe has
long been anecdotally acclaimed for its stimulating effect. For centuries,
African natives have ingested both the crude bark and purified compound as a
tonic to enhance sexual prowess and as an aphrodisiac. Yohimbine was also
prescribed in Europe over 100 years ago for male sexual dysfunction. Recent
experiments show that yohimbe may successfully treat impotence associated with
diabetes as well as both organic and psychogenic impotence due to fatigue,
tension and stress.
The bark
has been smoked as a hallucinogen and has been used in traditional medicine to
treat angina and hypertension. The herb is a sensual stimulant for healthy men
and women. Today, doctors prescribe an extract from the tree to treat organic
impotence.
Yohimbe's
effects are derived from it's ability to increase blood flow to the genitals
of both men and women. It stimulates the pelvic nerve ganglia and is helpful
for men with erection problems. In fact a prescription drug, yohimbine
hydrochloride, is the only FDA approved drug for impotence. Benefits are
enhanced libido, heightened sensation and improved stamina. Women have also
experienced similar effects and general pleasant sensations.
A combined
analysis of more than a dozen studies involving hundreds of subjects,
published in the Journal Archives of Sexual Behavior in August 1996, concluded
that yohimbine can help many men who have problems getting an erection. It
appears to work by increasing blood flow to the penis, and may affect brain
chemistry as well.
A recent
clinical study in Rhode Island (published in the Journal of Urology) tested
the active ingredient in yohimbe on a group of men who had experienced chronic
sexual dysfunction. For those who had been impotent for less than two years
the improvement rate was an astounding 81% as a direct result of consuming a
moderate dosage over a period of one month.
The Rhode
Island study also showed that two thirds of the men who had reported having
only a partial erection or erections of a short duration, and had failed in
normal intercourse at least 50% of the time, reported fuller and longer
lasting erections, leading to consistently successful love making.
In a 1994
Italian clinical study, half the patients received the active tablets for
eight weeks and half received placebos. The yohimbe group showed a 71%
positive recovery rate, compared to the placebo group's 22% rate. The placebo
group was changed to yohimbe and scored a 74% success rate. Something in
yohimbe obviously stimulates the male libido.
Currently
yohimbe is the only drug with enough credible evidence to be listed as a
sensual stimulant and sexual booster in The Physician's Desk Reference. As a
prescribed drug, yohimbe is available under the brand names Yocon, Yohimex,
and Aphrodyne. Potent and raw yohimbe bark extract is also available without a
prescription in most states.
The effects
of yohimbe start around 30 minutes after ingestion and last around two hours;
however, the full beneficial effect begins after 2 to 4 weeks of continuous
daily use.
Taking more
than the recommended amount will not improve results (i.e. super-human
erection) and may cause adverse reactions, therefore remember that moderation
is the best policy.
Pharmacology
Yohimbine
is an alkaloid prescription drug extracted from yohimbe bark which functions
as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, thereby increasing serum levels of
norepinephrine.
Ingredients:
Yohimbe
bark is approximately 6% yohimbine which is an indole alkaloid classified as
an alpha-2-adrenergic blocking agent. The herb has a general nervous system
stimulatory effect,dilating blood vessels. It can increase heart rate, raise
body temperature and increase blood pressure. Higher dosages can produce a
mild psychotropic effect.
Precautions
Yohimbe
inhibits MAO (monoamine oxidase) and should be used with caution, especially
with high blood pressure. As an MAO inhibitor, yohimbe should not be taken
with the amino acids tyrosine or phenylalanine.
Yohimbe
should not be taken with tyramine-containing foods (red wine, aged meats,
beer, chocolate, nuts, liver, cheese). High blood pressure can result from the
body's inability to extract the tyramines from these foods.
Nasal
decongestants or diet aids containing phenylpropaanolamine should be
rigorously avoided when yohimbine is used to prevent a hypertensive crisis.
People who have hypotension, diabetes, or heart, liver or kidney disease
should not take yohimbine.
Potential
Side Effects
There is no
clinical proof of these reactions to yohimbe. They are listed here as a matter
of disclosure:
Anxiety
Exanthema
Frequent urination
Hypertension
Kidney disorder
Liver disorder
Queasiness/nausea
Sleeplessness
Tachycardia
Temporary priapism
Tremor
Vomiting
References
Lacomblez, L., et.
al., Effects of Yohimbe on Blood Pressure in Patients with Depression and
Orthostatic Hypotension Induced by Clomipramine, Clin Pharmacol Ther
1989;45:241-51.
Steers, W.D.;
McConnell, J.; Benson, G.S., Some Pharmacologic Effects of Yohimbine on
Human and Rabbit Penis, Journal of Urology April, 1984, Vol. 131.
Riley, A.J., et. al.,
Double Blind Trial of Yohimbine Hydrochloride in the Treatment of Erection
Inadequacy, Sexual and Marital Therapy, Vol. 4, No. 1, 1989.
Montorsi, F., et. al.,
Effect of Yohimbine-Trazodone on Psychogenic Impotence: A Randomized,
Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Study, Urology, Vol. 44, No. 5, November,
1994
Susset, J.G., et. al.,
Effect of Yohimbine Hydrochloride on Erectile Impotence: A Double-Blind
Study, Journal of Urology, Vol. 141, June, 1989.
Morales, A., et. al.,
Is Yohimbine Effective in the Treatment of Organic Impotence? Results of a
Controlled Trial, Journal of Urology, Vol. 137, June, 1987.
Reid, K., et. al.,
Double-Blind Trial of Yohimbine in Treatment of Psychogenic Impotence,
Lancet, August 22, 1987.
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