Description
Botanical: Ptychopetalum olacoides
Other common names: Muirapuama, Marapauma, Muira Puama, Muira Pauma, Marapuama, Marapama, Muiratam, Potent Wood
Muira pauma is said to be a powerful aphrodisiac for both men and women that has been used to correct erectile dysfunction and impotence in men and frigidity in women and is also believed to enhance arousal and prolong the sexual experience. Muira pauma is also used to relieve central nervous system disorders, digestive disturbances and menstrual difficulties.
Country of Origin: Brazil
Beneficial Uses:
Muira pauma is widely used as an aphrodisiac for both men and women, and some scientists say the herb increases testosterone levels, but that claim has not been clinically proven. In the case of male sexuality, it is regarded as one of the best and most effective herbs to counteract erectile dysfunction and impotence. In a paper presented to the International Congress on Ethno-pharmacology in 1990, in Strasbourg, France, a study of 262 patients who complained of erectile impotence or lack of libido noted that sixty two percent of those who received the herb claimed that the treatment had positive effects within two weeks and greatly improved their sex lives. It is thought that when Muira pauma is used by sexually healthy men and women, it will enhance arousal and prolong the sexual experience. The herb is believed to treat impotence in men and frigidity in women. South American tribal couples sometimes drink a Muira pauma tea before planned lovemaking to heighten sexual desire. The exact mechanism of the herb's efficacy is still under investigation, as the responsible constituents have not yet been isolated, but preliminary reports say that it works by enhancing both physical and psychological aspects of sexual function.
Muira pauma is believed to be a gentle tonic that strengthens, nourishes and restores the health of the central nervous system. As such, the herb has been used in stress management and to treat mild cases of nervous exhaustion, depression and trauma. It is also thought to relieve neuromuscular weakness, nerve pain and physical and mental fatigue.
There are claims that Muira pauma acts as an astringent and has been useful in cases of diarrhea and dysentery.
Muira pauma is believed to benefit women's reproductive health and specifically alleviate menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Muira Pauma is thought to be a tonic for overall good health, ameliorating a weak constitution. It is also believed to stimulate gastrointestinal function and relieve gastrointestinal disorders, including dyspepsia and ulcers. There are also assertions that the herb helps to stimulate the circulatory system, and perhaps that is the reason why it has been used to treat baldness (it is included in many South American herbal blends as a treatment for male pattern baldness). In 2003, Brazilian researchers reported that in lab tests the herb facilitated memory retrieval and may be beneficial for Alzheimer's patients - perhaps, again, a result of circulatory improvement.
Contraindications:
Currently, there are no known warnings or contraindications with the use of Muira Pauma.
