Two closely related species of Ptychopetalum have been used side by side with Liriosma ovata which is also called Muira Puama.
Botanic
Muira Puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) grows in the Amazon jungle. It is a bush or a small tree with small, white flowers with a jasmine-like scent.
Traditional use
There is a long tradition for using Muira Puama as an aphrodisiac in traditional phytomedicine. The bark powder can be consumed alone, it can be combined with alcohol, or a tea can be made from it. South American men used to wash their genitals in an extract of the bark in order to achieve a stimulating effect. Moreover, Muira Puama has been used for rheumatic pain, gastro-intestinal problems, and menstrual pain.
Chemical composition
The identified substances in Muira Puama are: Muirapuamine, phlobaphene, alpha-resin acid, beta-resin acid, coumarin, behen acid, lupeol, beta-sitosterol, tannin, camphor, alpha-pinen, beta-pinen, beta-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, limonene, elixene, campesterol, alpha-humulene, and other ethereal oils, fatty acids, sterols, and small amounts of alkaloids.
Scientific research
In a large French study, Muira Puama was given to 262 men with reduced sexual desire and a lacking ability to achieve or maintain erection. Within two weeks, when taking a daily dose of 1000 - 1500 mg. Muira Puama 4:1-extract, 62% of the men with reduced libido described a stimulating effect from Muira Puama while 51% of the men with reduced erection achieved improvements with Muira Puama. In another study 100 men suffering from sexual problems used a Muira Puama extract for 10 days. Six times a day they consumed 430 mg. of a 10:1-extract of Muira Putama in combination with a guarana extract, zinc, and vitamin B3. They had an average age of 45 years. After the study, 32 out of 46 men had experienced an increased sexual desire and 52 out of 94 described an increased frequency of intercourses.
2000 men with an average age of 45 years suffering from sexual problems participated in a new study in which the effects of taking 6 tablets (containing 430 mg. extract of dried root and bark of Muira Puama) a day for 10 days were studied. The results showed that a lacking morning erection was improved in 55%, unstable erection during intercourse was improved in 52%, and the number of intercourses was increased by 72%. Collectively, 63% experienced a significant improvement.
The effect on the libido and sexual desire of a mixture of Muira Puama and Ginkgo biloba has been examined in 202 pre- and post-menopausal women suffering from reduced sexual desire. The treatment consisted of 2 daily tablets of 175 mg. of Muira Puama extract and 16 mg. of Ginkgo biloba extract for a duration of 1 month. The results showed that 71% achieved a larger intensity of arousement during intercourse and 62% experienced an improvement in the intensity of the response to foreplay. The groups of pre- and post-menopausal women did not achieve entirely similar results, however. 31% of the pre-menopausal women experienced an improvement in the satisfaction with their sexlife whereas 22% of the post-menopausal women experienced the same thing. On the other hand, the percentage of women who achieved improvement was greatest in the group of post-menopausal women when achieving orgasm and the intensity of the orgasm was considered. 54% of the post-menopausal women had an increased ability to achieve orgasm compared to 39% in the pre-menopausal group and 45% of women in the post-menopausal group experienced an improved orgasmic intensity compared to 36% in the pre-menopausal group.
The company BIOresearch A/S has had a Muira Puama extract examined as a stimulating dietary supplement in which 30 men participated. They took 3 x 350 mg. of Muira Puama extract (4:1) in the form of tablets 3 times a day for 6 months. 47% of the men experienced an increase in how often they had intercourse, 47% experienced long-lasting erections during intercourse, 60% experienced an increased sexual desire. A total of 77% experienced a stimulating effect either on sexual desire or sexual capability.
Dosage
4:1-extract: 700 mg. twice a day for 2 weeks. After this period, some people will be able to do with half this dose.
Side effects
Non have been reported.
Warning
Muira Puama should not be used by children or during pregnancy.
Also see "Aphrodisiacs".
