Muira Puama

(Ptychopetalum olacoides)

Family: Olacaceae
Genus: Ptychopetalum
Species: olacoides
Synonyms: None
Common Names: Muira Puama, potency wood, marapuama, marapama, Muir, muiratam, pau-Homen, potenzholz
Phyto elements: alkaloids, Alpha-resinic-acid, acid-Arachidic, Behenic-acid, Beta-resinic-acid, Beta-sitosterol, campesterol, Cerotic acid, Coumarin, Dotriacontanoic acid, EO, Heptacosanoic acid, acid-Lignoceric, Lupeol, Melissic acid, Montanic acid, Muirapuamine, Nonacosanoic acid, acid-Pentacosanoic, Phlobaphene, Trichosanic-acid, acid-Uncosanic
Parts used: bark and root

PROPERTY 'AND ACTIONS
Main actions:
increases libido
promotes sexual function
calm the nerves
alleviates depression
boosts memory
protects brain cells

Other actions:
tonic male
relieves pain
reduces fatigue
lowers blood pressure
prevents ulcers

Assay standards:
Root, bark
Tincture: 2-4 ml twice daily;
Decoction: 1 cup per day


Muira Puama, also called the tree of power, is a small tree that grows up to 5 m high and is typical of Amazon in Brazil and other areas of the rainforest. The genus is Ptychopetalum rather low: only two species of small trees grow in tropical areas of South America and Africa in five areas. The two South American varieties, P. olacoides (found in Brazil, French Guinea, Guinea and Suriname) and P. uncinatum (which only grows in Brazil), are used interchangeably in herbal medicine of South America, although it is usually preferred the variety olacoides, because it has a higher content of lupeolo. A completely different tree species of Brazil, the Liriosima ovata, also known as Muira Puama, but it is totally different even for phyto-chemical composition.

The first research on the source of the effectiveness of Muira Puama are started in the'20s. The researchers first discovered that the bark and root were rich in fatty acids and fatty acid esters, essential oils (including beta-caryophyllene and alpha-humulene), plant sterols, triterpene (including lupeolo) and a new alkaloid, called muirapuaminina. The searches were then taken more recently in the'60s and late'80s. These studies have shown the active constituents of a long chain fatty acids, sesquiterpeni, and new monoterpene alkaloids.

In one of the first studies, researchers indicated that Muira Puama was effective in treating disorders of the nervous system and sexual impotence, which is produced a permanent effect in locomotor ataxia, neuralgias of long standing, chronic rheumatism and partial paralysis. In 1930 Meiro Penna Muira Puama wrote about in his book Notas Sobre Planta Brasilerias, citing psychological and therapeutic trials conducted in France by Dr. Rebourgeon confirming the effectiveness of the plant for the gastrointestinal and circulatory asthenia and impotency of the genital organs ..

The benefits of treating impotence with Muira Puama has been studied in two human studies in France: Muira Puama has been shown to be effective in increasing libido and the treatment of erectile dysfunction. In a French study on 262 patients who were suffering from lack of sexual desire and inability to achieve or maintain an erection, 62% of patients with loss of libido reported that an extract of Muira Puama had dynamic effects, and 51% of patients with erectile dysfunction have found benefits with Muira Puama. The second study evaluated the effects psychological benefits of Muira Puama in 100 men suffering from sexual weakness. At a dose of 1.5 g of extract per day, it was reported that Muira Puama could increase libido (in 85% of cases), increase the frequency of intercorso (in 100% of cases) and the ability to maintain an erection (90%).

On the other clinical research has been reported that the extract of Muira Puama effects adattogeni, antifatica, antistress and benefits on the central nervous system. A special extract of the roots of Muira Puama has been patented for its ability to alleviate the physical and mental fatigue and improving weak constitution. Brazilian researchers have documented a defined effect on the central nervous system of the bark of the plant, which also showed a slight and temporary hypotensive effect. It's was also discovered that the root may inhibit the ulcers caused by stress, while the leaf can have analgesic effects. Another U.S. Patent on Muira Puama claims that, with prolonged use, the plant may reduce the percentage of fat, increase muscle mass and lowering cholesterol.
The latest research also confirms the traditional use of Muira Puama as adjuvant for memory and nervous disorders. Brazilian researchers in 2003 reported that an alcoholic extract of Muira Puama facilitated the recovery of memory and could be beneficial for Alzheimer's disease. The subsequent study (2004) reported that an alcoholic extract of Muira Puama can protect and enhance the viability of brain cells and, therefore, could be a benefit for victims of stroke.

Historically, all parts of Muira Puama were used in medicine, but the bark and roots were the most used.

For the most famous of Muira Puama potenziante as libido, were used special methods of preparation. In fact, considered the active constituents responsible for the libidinal potenziante and are not soluble in water. It's therefore needs to Muira Puama in alcohol and submit it to a high heat for at least 20 minutes to release the essential oils, the terpenes, gums and resins that are in the bark and roots and are related to the effects benefits of Muira Puama.

Below is a brief summary on the use of Muira Puama etnomedici.



Amazon: as an aphrodisiac, for baldness, beri-beri, weakness cardiac disorders, central nervous system, diarrhea, flu, gastrointestinal disorders, impotence, low libido, neuromuscular problems, paralysis, rheumatism, sexual weakness, weakness
Brazil: as aphrodisiac and stimulating appetite, for ataxia, hair loss, beri-beri, disorders of the central nervous system, weakness, depression, digestive disorders, dysentery, dyspepsia, frigidity, gastrointestinal disorders, heart problems, anchilostoma, impotence, low libido, menstrual cramps, menopause, neuralgia, nerve problems, neuromuscular problems, nervous exhaustion, ovarian function, paralysis, PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome), polio, rheumatism, stress, trauma, muscle weakness
Germany: as a tonic central nervous system, for anchilostoma, menstrual disorders, rheumatism
Guinea: as an aphrodisiac, stimulant, tonic, and the impotence
Europe as an aphrodisiac and nerve tonic and for diarrhea, impotence, infertility, menstrual disorders, neurasthenia
United States: as an aphrodisiac and tonic, and for depression, disorders of the central nervous system, impotence, menstrual problems, nerve pain, PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome)

Elsewhere:
as an aphrodisiac and central nervous system stimulant, and to baldness, dyspepsia, exhaustion, gastrointestinal weakness, impotence, infertility, low libido, menstrual irregularities, muscle paralysis, nerve pain, neuromuscular disorders, paralysis, reproductive problems, rheumatism, stress, trauma



Muira Puama

Primary method of preparation: dyeing

Main actions:
aphrodisiac, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens all bodily functions), neurasthenia (reduces nerve pain), antidepressant, tonic central nervous system (tones, balances, strengthens the central nervous system)

Main uses:

for erectile dysfunction and impotence
as a male aphrodisiac and libido promoter
as a male tonic (tones, balances, strengthens)
for hair loss and baldness
as tonic central nervous system (tones, balances, strengthens) and antidepressant


Properties / actions documented by research:
adattogeno, analgesic (painkiller), anti-fatigue, anti-oxidant, anti-ulcer, aphrodisiac, tonic central nervous system (tones, balances, strengthens), hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), potenziante memory, nerve (balance / the calm nerves), neurasthenia (reduces nerve pain), neuroprotettivo (protects brain cells)

Other properties / actions documented by traditional
antidepressant, antirheumatic, anti-stress, astringent, cardiotonico (tones, balances, strengthens the heart), digestive, gastrotonico (tones, balances, strengthens the gastric tract), ipocolesterolemico (lowers cholesterol), stimulant, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens all bodily functions)

Traditional preparation:
Since many of its active components are not soluble, the best preparation is a 4:1 tincture: take 2-4ml twice a day. Boiling the dye for about 20 minutes to ease the extraction of soluble components.
For its tonic effect, one of the traditional remedies is to simmer a teaspoon of the root and / or bark in a cup of water for 15 minutes: Drink ½ to 1 cup per day

Contraindications:
None documented

Interaction with drugs:
None documented

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