Yohimbe
Male
Sexual Enhancement
What is Yohimbe & Yohimbine Yohimbe supplements
are made from the tree bark of the Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe)
tree grown in West Africa. Yohimbe bark is typically 6% akaloids
of which about 10-15 % are yohimbine hydrochloride the active
ingredient used to treat ED. Only the bark contains the active
ingredient. Yohimbine hydrochloride is the active chemical in
Yohimbe bark and is only available legally in the US as a prescription
drug. Since the introduction of Viagra (a much safer drug) yohimbine
is very rarely prescribed to treat impotence.
What
The FDA Has to Say About Yohimbe At the present time Yohimbe is
on the FDA's supplement ingredients of concern warning list and
is under investigation by the FDA.
Source:
FDA "Illnesses and Injuries Associated With the Use of Selected
Dietary Supplements" Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe).
Yohimbe
is a tree bark containing a variety of pharmacologically active
chemicals. It is marketed in a number of products for body building
and "enchanced male performance." Serious adverse effects, including
renal failure, seizures and death, have been reported to FDA with
products containing yohimbe and are currently under investigation.
The
major identified alkaloid in yohimbe is yohimbine, a chemical
that causes vasodilation, thereby lowering blood pressure. Yohimbine
is also a prescription drug in the United States. Side effects
are well recognized and may include central nervous system stimulation
that causes anxiety attacks.
At
high doses, yohimbine is a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor.
MAO inhibitors can cause serious adverse effects when taken concomitantly
with tyramine-containing foods (e.g., liver, cheeses, red wine)
or with over-the-counter (OTC) products containing phenylpropanolamine,
such as nasal decongestants and diet aids. Individuals taking
yohimbe should be warned to rigorously avoid these foods and OTC
products because of the increased likelihood of adverse effects.
Yohimbe
should also be avoided by individuals with hypotension (low blood
pressure), diabetes, and heart, liver or kidney disease. Symptoms
of overdosage include weakness and nervous stimulation followed
by paralysis, fatigue, stomach disorders, and ultimately death.
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