Catuaba (Erythroxylum catuaba) Last updated: Nov 19, 2009

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  Catuaba (Erythroxylum catuaba)  
 

 

 
 

Catuaba is a vigorously-growing tree from the northern part of Brazil and has a long history in herbal medicine as an aphrodisiac. Brazilian herbal medicine today considers catuaba as a central nervous system stimulant with aphrodisiac properties. A bark decoction is used for sexual impotency, agitation, nervousness, neurasthenia, poor memory or forgetfulness, and sexual weakness. It is regarded as an aphrodisiac with "proven efficacy" and in addition to treating impotency, it is employed for many types of nervous conditions including insomnia, hypochondria and pain related to the central nervous system.

In European herbal medicine, Catuaba is considered an aphrodisiac, and a brain and nerve stimulant used for sexual weakness, impotency, nervous debility and exhaustion.

Herbalists and health practitioners in the U.S. use Catuaba in much the same way; as a tonic for the genitals as well as a central nervous system stimulant, for sexual impotence, general exhaustion and fatigue, for insomnia related to hypertension, agitation and poor memory. Clinical studies on Catuaba have also found very interesting results involving its antibacterial and antiviral properties.

 
 

Catuaba (Erythroxylum catuaba) can help with the following:
 
 
Uro-Genital  Erectile Dysfunction (ED, Impotence)
 Catuaba has a long history in herbal medicine as an aphrodisiac. According to Dr. Michael van Straten, noted British herbalist and naturopath, Catuaba is beneficial to men and women as an aphrodisiac, but "it is in the area of male impotence that the most striking results have been reported" and "there is no evidence of side effects, even after long-term use."
 
 


KEY
Likely to help
 
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GLOSSARY

Antiviral:  Any of a number of herbs, drugs or agents capable of destroying viruses or inhibiting their growth or multiplication until the body is capable of destroying the virus itself. Most antiviral agents are members of the antimetabolite family.

Aphrodisiac:  Substance increasing or arousing sexual desire.

Decoction:  Liquid prepared by boiling plant material in water for a period of time.

Herbs:  Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with one teaspoon herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted. The high doses of single herbs suggested may be best taken as dried extracts (in capsules), although tinctures (60 drops four times per day) and teas (4 to 6 cups per day) may also be used.

Hypertension:  High blood pressure. Hypertension increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure because it adds to the workload of the heart, causing it to enlarge and, over time, to weaken; in addition, it may damage the walls of the arteries.

Nervous System:  A system in the body that is comprised of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, ganglia and parts of the receptor organs that receive and interpret stimuli and transmit impulses to effector organs.

Neurasthenia:  Ill-defined condition, accompanying or following depression, characterized by vague fatigue believed to be brought about by psychological factors.