Catuaba Bark Species

If you have considered using the Brazilian herbal medicine named catuaba for its aphrodisiac or stimulating effects, one look at the many different catuaba products on the market will definitely confuse you. Many different plants and species are referred to as catuaba, and a review in "Planta Medica," in 2004, found half the catuaba products on the market contained adulterants. Shop carefully when choosing a catuaba product, and look for the recognized catauba species on the label.

Erythroxylum catuaba

• Erythroxylum catuaba is a small tree that grows between two and four meters tall with yellow flowers and is referred to as "small catuaba." In a study published in the medical journal "In Vivo," in 1992, researchers found extracts of Erythroxylum catuaba had significant antibacterial and antiviral activity. Strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and the HIV virus were inhibited by this species of catuaba, supporting its use in treating infections.

Trichilia catigua

• Trichilia, also known as "big catuaba," is a member of the mahogany family and can grow up to 10 meters tall with cream flowers. In a study published in "Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine," in 2011, by the University of Santa Catarina, Trichilia catigua was found to reduce sensitivity to pain in animals through influencing dopamine pathways. By this same dopaminergic action, Trichilia catigua is a useful herbal medicine for treating stress, mild depression and fatigue.

Erythroxylum vacciniifolium

• Though related to Erythroxylum catuaba, this is considered a different plant with very different chemistry. Erythroxylum vacciniifolium extracts contain a range of alkaloid chemicals, such as catuabine A, catuabine B and catuabine C. These are not found in other catuaba species, nor have they been tested for any pharmacological or clinical effects. Products made from this particular species of catuaba should be avoided until further research has been done on its safety and efficacy.

Anemopaegma mirandum

• Anemopaegma mirandum is a completely different and unrelated species from the Bignonia family. It is considered an adulterant and is harvested by ignorant or unethical companies, who sell it as authentic catuaba. Despite this confusion, research has shown Anemopaegma mirandum does contain some medicinal properties of its own. A study published in "Toxicology In Vitro," in 2004, by the Japanese National Institute of Health Sciences, researchers found chemicals in Anemopaegma mirandum called cinchonains protected cells from chemicals and toxic damage. Whether this plant has any similar pharmacological actions as actual catuaba remains unverified.

Juniperus brasiliensis

• Approach products using this species of catuaba with caution, as no known plant goes by this botanical name. Juniperus brasiliensis may be used to describe the plant small catuaba, or Erythroxylum catuaba. Without proper tests, it is impossible to know what plant or chemical a company has used under the guise of this name.