Uses of Muira Puama Tincture

Muira puama tincture, derived from the roots and stems of the Ptychopetalum olacoides tree native to the Amazon, is traditionally and popularly used for several purposes:

1. Sexual Health and Libido

• Muira puama is most renowned as a natural aphrodisiac. It is often referred to as the "Viagra of the Amazon" due to its traditional use in enhancing libido and sexual desire in both men and women14.
• It is used to address sexual disorders, including impotence (erectile dysfunction) and loss of sexual desire, and is considered helpful for female frigidity1256.
• Some formulations are marketed specifically to increase interest in sexual activity and improve erectile function245.

2. Energy and Adaptogen

• The tincture is sometimes used as a general tonic to boost energy, reduce fatigue, and help the body cope with stress (adaptogenic effect)246.
• It is also considered beneficial for improving mood and promoting hormonal balance2.

3. Cognitive Function and Nervous System

• Muira puama is used as a nerve tonic and is believed to stimulate the nervous system, potentially improving memory, focus, and mental clarity568.
• Some studies in animals suggest it may have neuroprotective and anti-amnesic properties, with potential applications for cognitive decline and conditions like Alzheimer’s disease8.

4. Menstrual and Neuromuscular Disorders

• The tincture is used in traditional and homeopathic medicine for menstrual complaints, such as cramps, heavy bleeding, and irregular cycles156.

• It is also used as a tonic for neuromuscular disorders and to support nervous system energy56.

   

5. Other Traditional Uses

• Muira puama has been used for joint pain, rheumatism, digestive issues (such as indigestion, constipation, and diarrhea), and as a remedy for nerve pain and inflammation146.
• Some sources mention its use for cardiovascular health and as an anti-aging supplement due to its antioxidant properties68.
•  

Scientific Evidence and Safety

• While muira puama has a long history of traditional use, scientific evidence supporting these uses is limited and largely based on anecdotal reports and animal studies138.
• It is generally considered possibly safe when taken by mouth in moderate doses for up to one month, but safety for long-term use and in pregnancy or breastfeeding is not established1.

Summary Table: Main Uses of Muira Puama Tincture

Conclusion

Muira puama tincture is primarily used as a natural remedy for sexual health, energy, stress, cognitive support, and menstrual or neuromuscular complaints. Most of these uses are based on traditional practices, and robust scientific evidence is lacking. Consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended before use, especially for individuals with underlying health conditions or those taking other medications

Source : https://www.wikiphyto.org/wiki/Muira_puama

Reference on http://www.wikiphyto.org

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Muira puama

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Summary

• 1Plant Name
• 2International Latin denomination
• 3Botanical family
• 4Description and habitat
• 5History and tradition
• 6Parts used
• 7Dosage forms available
• 8Usual dosages
• 9Composition
  • 9.1Main components of the plant
  • 9.2Main components of buds or young shoots
  • 9.3Main components of essential oil
• 10Properties
  • 10.1Properties of the plant
  • 10.2Properties of the bud
  • 10.3Properties of essential oil
• 11Indications
  • 11.1Indications for the whole plant (phytotherapy)
  • 11.2Bud indications (gemmotherapy)
  • 11.3Specific indications for essential oil (aromatherapy)
• 12Known or suspected mode of action
• 13Usual formulations
• 14Regulation
• 15Possible side effects and precautions for use
• 16Bibliographic references

Plant Name

Muira puama, Marapuama

International Latin denomination

Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth., Liriosma ovata Miers., Ptychopetalum unicatum

Botanical family

Oleaceae ( Olacaceae  ?)

Description and habitat

• Plant aphrodisiac appreciated in Brazil like Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth. Olacaceae (bark)
• Shrub native to the Brazilian Amazon that can reach five meters high

History and tradition

• Used for a long time by the Amazonian Indians to treat impotence, neuromuscular problems, rheumatism, flu
• Also used as a nervous tonic and aphrodisiac
• One of the ingredients of a traditional Brazilian tonic called catuama which also contains guarana , ginger and Trichilia catigua [1] , also used as a sexual stimulant, relaxing the corpus cavernosum of the rabbit [2] , and which prevents ventricular fibrillation of the isolated rabbit heart [3]

Parts used

• Bark of the shrub or root

Dosage forms available

• Maceration of dry plant in rum or decoction in water (1 tablespoon for 500 ml)
• Mother tincture of wood and root
• Powder 1500 mg

Usual dosages

Composition

Main components of the plant

• Flavonoids
• Diterpenes [4]

Main components of buds or young shoots

Main components of essential oil

Properties

Properties of the plant

• Aphrodisiac (according to K. Hostettmann, a clinical study in male impotence gave 52% good results)
• Alcoholic extracts would be more effective
• Came to Europe during the 1920s and 1930s and is still believed to be part of the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia for the treatment of dysentery and impotence. It has been part of the Brazilian pharmacopoeia since the 1950s
  • The popularity of Viagra® has brought muira puama back into the spotlight, as have other plants known to be aphrodisiacs. It is part of several combinations of plants whose virtues are touted with great enthusiasm by the companies that market these products.
  • Incomplete clinical study conducted by French sexologist Jacques Waynberg
• Improves memory, through multiple mechanisms and action on serotonin 5HT (2A) receptors [5]
• Anticholinergic, potential in Alzheimer's disease [6] , [7] , neuroprotective [8] , [9] , [10] , [11]
• Antidepressant potential [12] , [13]

Properties of the bud

Properties of essential oil

Indications

Indications for the whole plant (phytotherapy)

• Male impotence
• Female frigidity, dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome

Bud indications (gemmotherapy)

Specific indications for essential oil (aromatherapy)

Known or suspected mode of action

Usual formulations

Regulation

Possible side effects and precautions for use

• Contraindicated for pregnant and breastfeeding women

Bibliographic references

1. ↑ Oliveira CH, Moraes ME, Moraes MO, Bezerra FA, Abib E, De Nucci G. Clinical toxicology study of an herbal medicinal extract of Paullinia cupana, Trichilia catigua, Ptychopetalum olacoides and Zingiber officinale (Catuama) in healthy volunteers. Phytother Res. 2005 Jan;19(1):54-7. PMID 15798997
2. ↑ Antunes E, Gordo WM, de Oliveira JF, Teixeira CE, Hyslop S, De Nucci G. The relaxation of isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum by the herbal medicine Catuama and its constituents. Phytother Res. 2001 Aug;15(5):416-21. PMID 11507734
3. ↑ Pontieri V, Neto AS, de França Camargo AF, Koike MK, Velasco IT. The herbal drug Catuama reverts and prevents ventricular fibrillation in the isolated rabbit heart. J Electrocardiol. 2007 Nov-Dec;40(6):534.e1-8. PMID 17888942
4. ↑ Tang W, Harada K, Kubo M, Hioki H, Fukuyama Y. Eight new clerodane diterpenoids from the bark of Ptychopetalum olacoides. Nat Prod Commun. 2011 Mar;6(3):327-32. PMID 21485268
5. ↑ da Silva AL, Ferreira JG, da Silva Martins B, Oliveira S, Mai N, Nunes DS, Elisabetsky E. Serotonin receptors contribute to the promnesic effects of P. olacoides (Marapuama). Physiol Behav. 2008 Sep 3;95(1-2):88-92. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2008.04.022. PMID 18561960
6. ↑ Siqueira IR, Fochesatto C, da Silva AL, Nunes DS, Battastini AM, Netto CA, Elisabetsky E. Ptychopetalum olacoides, a traditional Amazonian "nerve tonic", possesses anticholinesterase activity. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2003 Jun;75(3):645-50. PMID 12895682
7. ↑ Figueiró M, Ilha J, Pochmann D, Porciúncula LO, Xavier LL, Achaval M, Nunes DS, Elisabetsky E. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition in cognition-relevant brain areas of mice treated with a nootropic Amazonian herbal (Marapuama). Phytomedicine. 2010 Oct;17(12):956-62. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2010.03.009. PMID 20833520
8. ↑ Siqueira IR, Cimarosti H, Fochesatto C, Nunes DS, Salbego C, Elisabetsky E, Netto CA. Neuroprotective effects of Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham (Olacaceae) on oxygen and glucose deprivation induced damage in rat hippocampal slices. Life Sci. 2004 Aug 27;75(15):1897-906. PMID 15302233
9. ↑ IR Siqueira, DR Lara, D. Silva, FS Gaieski, DS Nunes, E. Elisabetsky. Psychopharmacological Properties of Ptychopetalum Olacoides bentham (Olacaceae). Pharmaceutical Biology, 1998, Vol. 36, No. 5, Pages 327-334
10. ↑ Figueiró M, Ilha J, Linck VM, Herrmann AP, Nardin P, Menezes CB, Achaval M, Gonçalves CA, Porciúncula LO, Nunes DS, Elisabetsky E. The Amazonian herbal Marapuama attenuates cognitive impairment and neuroglial degeneration in a mouse Alzheimer model. Phytomedicine. 2011 Feb 15;18(4):327-33. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2010.07.013. PMID 20739160
11. ↑ Siqueira IR; Fochesatto C; Torres ILS; da Silva AL; Nunes DS; Elisabetsky E; Netto C A. Antioxidant activities of Ptychopetalum olacoides ("muirapuama") in mice brain. Phytomedicine: international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology 2007;14(11):763-9.
12. ↑ Piato Angelo L; Detanico Bernardo C; Jesus Jennifer F; Lhullier Francisco Luiz Rodrigues; Nunes Domingos S; Elisabetsky Elaine. Effects of Marapuama in the chronic mild stress model: further indication of antidepressant properties. Journal of ethnopharmacology 2008;118(2):300-4.
13. ↑ Piato AL, Rizon LP, Martins BS, Nunes DS, Elisabetsky E. Antidepressant profile of Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham (Marapuama) in mice. Phytother Res. 2009 Apr;23(4):519-24. doi:10.1002/ptr.2664. PMID 19067380

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