Yohimbe – A Powerful Sexual Stimulant…
Maybe Too Powerful?
“Do you sell Yohimbe?” This is a question I often receive from our customers.
You see, we have some great herbs for sexual performance. Tongkat, Horny Goat Weed, Maca, Pine Pollen, and of course, Thor’s Hammer designed specifically for this function.
But by no means do we have them all.
For a long time, I shied away from Yohimbe. It has a reputation of having a bit more side effects than other herbs, and we already had some great stuff that works.
But, in looking at new spagyric tinctures to work with, after getting this question for the 15th time, I decided it was time to give this African root bark a shot both personally and as a small batch offer.
The Benefits of Yohimbe
Yohimbe comes from the bark of a tree, Pausinystalia Yohimbe, that grows in Central and West Africa. Its “active” constituent is Yohimbine, an indole alkaloid.
In the west, Yohimbe has been noted for its sexual stimulant properties, being used for over 70 years for this.* And even longer historically in Africa, though they also used it for much else from coughs to heart disease.*
Yohimbine is an alpha 2 adrenergic receptor antagonist. [X] There are these receptors in the corpus cavernosum, the sponge-like tissue that fills with blood in an erection. (Also, essentially the same tissue in the female clitoris.)
Derived synthetically, Yohimbine hydrochloride has been marketed as a drug under the tradenames Aphrodyne and Yocon. (Not used much these days but was more popular before Viagra came to the marketplace.)
Put more simply, Yohimbine blocks the inhibition for noradrenaline giving rise to both its benefits…and risks.*
Yohimbe may enhance nitric oxide (NO) release.*
In addition, it may even be helpful in sexual arousal and libido.* If you’re looking for increased sexual function here is something new to try.
Yohimbe has also been marketed as a weight loss aid.* However, the evidence of this is extremely weak and it should not be used for such.
The Risks of Yohimbe
Some of the case reports are ridiculous in that they’re far from normal use. A 16-year-old female taking 250 mg of extract of yohimbine. That’s a lot and yeah, I’d expect problems with that dose.
Or a 63-year-old diabetic man who took 200mg…combined with alcohol.
Or a 37-year-old bodybuilder who took 5 grams of yohimbine and suffered vomiting and seizures! Deaths have been reported at this kind of elevated level, often in combination with drugs.
Abuse of Yohimbe is where most of its negative reputation comes from.
But not all. Assuming normal, aka smaller doses, Yohimbe still can have side effects.
Actually, most of the studies are on extracted or synthetic yohimbine specifically, thus further giving an unclear picture about how dangerous or not the herb really is.
Many such reports are from bodybuilding supplements, which can notoriously be spiked with drugs, or have unsafe combinations of chemicals with inaccurate amounts.
It does appear that Yohimbe elevates anxiety. Yohimbine passes the blood-brain barrier. It’s blocking the inhibition for noradrenaline can affect the rest of your body and your mind. If you have underlying anxiety, this may be best to skip
There are also reports of it increasing cravings for drugs such as nicotine, caffeine, cocaine and more. If you have addiction problems, this is likely a good one to skip.
In some studies, the sexual arousal is listed as a side effect. It all depends on what you’re going for as that certainly can be distracting when you don’t want it.
A review states, “Side effects are usually mild and transient and are typical of alpha 2 adrenergic inhibition, including insomnia, anxiety, palpitations, chest pain, sweating, blurred vision and hypertension. Overdose can cause hypotension, tachycardia, seizures, paralysis and coma; deaths from overdose have been described.”
Understand, we have not measured the yohimbine content of this tincture. We’re flying blind in that regard. But, being a tincture of the root bark, the amount is not going to be super high. Thus, any negative side effects should be mild at best.
Still, you’ve been forewarned.
These compounds do have a relatively short half-life and are excreted from the body in the urine. Also note increased urination as a sign your body may be trying to clear out the yohimbine and other related compounds.
How to Use Yohimbe Safely – Tips on Dosage
Start with a drop or two. Literally. See how your body reacts. Is your heart pounding any faster? Is your mind racing? Also, do you notice any of the sexual effects from even this small dose?
If you don’t notice anything increase the dose the next time you use it (at least wait a few hours). Do half a dropper (about 10-15 drops). Notice the same things or lack of them.
Again, if you notice nothing go to a full dropper (about 30 drops). If that does nothing try two droppers. And so on if you want to go even higher in dose.
Ratcheting up the dose like this is a safer way to gauge your body’s response to any new supplement.
BANNED
Due to the case reports of side effects mentioned, Yohimbe has been banned in some countries.
Yohimbe is banned in:
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Germany
- Austria
- The Netherlands
- Finland
- New Zealand
- Australia
- And likely other countries too, as there is no easy list in one place.
If you order and are from these countries, we will not ship to you canceling your order instead.
One of these we heard about from a customer ourselves. “Greets LEH staff! I guess its informative to tell u guys that I got charged of smuggling ( :D )by Finnish customs because of ordering yohimbe spagyric tincture from Lost Empire Herbs. Yohimbine , which it contains, is in ”medicine list” which u need a recipe in Finland and perhaps in other EU countries also. Well , after the hearing, i got away with a notice cos it was such a small amount, and I didn’t have a record on medicine violation before. Lost the bottle of course.”
If you place an international order that we do ship and it gets turned around at customs, we will give you store credit.
Quality Process
This is a spagyric tincture, quite likely the only of Yohimbe on the market.
In addition to the extracted root bark, this tincture is made exclusively using:
- Organic Cane Alcohol 40% ABV
- Filtered Fresh Spring Water
There are about 40 dropperfuls per bottle.
Contraindications
Not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.
Not recommended for anyone 18 or younger.
Do not take it you are on:
- MAOI inhibiting medications
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Clonidine (Catapres)
- Guanabenz (Wytensin)
- Antihypertensive medications
- Naloxone (Narcan)
- Phenothiazines
- Stimulant drugs
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.