Muira Puama Information

Muira puama is a small tree native to the Brazilian Amazon basin and other areas of the Amazon rain forest. It has been used in traditional native herbal medicine for centuries and has found its way into modern herbal medical use.

Other Names of Muira Pauma

• Because of its use as a male tonic that increases libido, muira puama is often called "potency wood." It is also called muiratam, pau-homen and potenzholz.

Main Effects

• Muira puama is used to increase libido and sexual function in men. It also has a calming effect and is good for depression. It is reputed to enhance memory and protect brain cells.

Secondary Effects

• Muira puama has some secondary benefits. In addition to the primary reasons a natural health practitioner might recommend the herb, it reduces pain and fatigue and lowers blood pressure.

Dosage

• In most cases, extracts of muira pauma roots and bark are given in a tincture of two to four ml twice per day.

Clinical Research

• Clinical research on muira puama has been done since the 1930s. In his 1930 book Notas Sobre Plantas Brasilerias, Brazilian biologist Miero Penna cited French studies on the herb. In those studies, 62 percent of patients reported that muira puama had a positive effect on libido.