Ptychopetalum olacoides penis enhancement herb

Ptychopetalum olacoides, also called "potency wood," is a small tree up to 15 feet in height native to the Brazilian Amazon. The bark and root are the primary parts of Ptychopetalum olacoides that are utilized. Indigenous peoples use Ptychopetalum olacoides for the therapy of sexual debility, fatigue, neuromuscular problems, and rheumatism. Muira puama's botanical name is Ptychopetalum olacoides is also known as muirapuama, muira puama, mara puama, marapuama, and marapama.

Ptychopetalum olacoides root and bark studies
In 1990, at the Institute of Sexology in Paris, France, a clinical study with 262 patients complaining of lack of sexual desire demonstrated Ptychopetalum olacoides extract to be effective. Within two weeks, at a daily dose of 1 to 1.5 grams of muira puama 4:1 extract, 62% of patients with loss of libido claimed that the treatment was helpful. We found this study mentioned all over the internet, but could not find an official Medline mention.

Ptychopetalum olacoides mechamism of action
The root and bark of Ptychopetalum olacoides are rich in free long-chain fatty acids, essential oils, plant sterols, coumarin, lupeol, and an alkaloid named muirapuamine. Because of its various constituents, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact chemicals in Ptychopetalum olacoides responsible for its sex boosting effects. One study in rabbits indicates that muira puama has the ability to relax the corpus cavernosa of the penis, thus allowing for engorgement. Another study indicates that Ptychopetalum olacoides may block an enzyme known as acetylcholinesterase. By blocking the activity of this enzyme, more acetylcholine is available in the central nervous system, which may be helpful in Alzheimer's disease and conditions of poor memory. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter involved in memory, and it also helps dilate blood vessels in the genital region.

Additional benefits of Ptychopetalum olacoides
Homemade remedies with Ptychopetalum olacoides roots are used by Amazonian peoples for treating various age-related conditions. In my clinical experience, I find that Ptychopetalum olacoides increases energy and also has mild mood-enhancing properties. However little research is available to confirm these findings. I base my findings on my personal experience taking it myself, and also feedback from patients I have recommended to take Ptychopetalum olacoides. Research shows Ptychopetalum olacoides has antioxidant properties, protecting the brain from damage. Animal studies indicate Ptychopetalum olacoides may have memory improving potential. 

Availability of Ptychopetalum olacoides
Ptychopetalum olacoides is available in various dosages and extracts. It's difficult to give exact dosage recommendations since each herbal supplier or vitamin company may have a different way of presenting the final product. Also, Ptychopetalum olacoides is available in various extract potencies, including a 4 to 1 extract. Thus, recommending exact dosages becomes complicated.

Ptychopetalum olacoides side effects
One of the most common side effects of muira puama when used in high doses is insomnia. This is because of the alertness muira puama produces, and, logically, if you are too alert when you go to bed, you are likely to toss and turn in bed. Limit your daily intake of Ptychopetalum olacoides to one capsule and take a day off every 2 or 3 days.

Ptychopetalum olacoides research
Clinical toxicology study of an herbal medicinal extract of Paullinia cupana, Trichilia catigua, Ptychopetalum olacoides ( muira puama )and Zingiber officinale ( Catuama ) in healthy volunteers.
Phytother Res. 2005 Jan;19(1):54-7.
In Brazil, a herbal medicinal extract named Catuama containing a mixture of Paullinia cupana (guarana; Sapindaceae), Trichilia catigua (catuaba; Meliaceae), Ptychopetalum olacoides (muirapuama; Olacaceae) and Zingiber officinale (ginger; Zingiberaceae) is used as a body stimulant, energetic, tonic and aphrodisiac. The present study investigated the chronic administration of 25 mL Catuama twice a day during 28 days for any toxic effect on healthy human volunteers of both sexes. No severe adverse reactions or haematological and biochemical changes were reported.

Memory retrieval improvement by Ptychopetalum olacoides in young and aging mice.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Dec;95(2-3):199-203.
This study shows that a single intraperitoneally (i.p.) administration of muira puama ethanol extract improved memory retrieval in step-down inhibitory avoidance,, without interfering with acquisition or consolidation in adult mice. Consistently with its traditional use, the data suggest that muira puama facilitates memory retrieval. Although the antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory properties previously described for this extract may be of relevance, the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the improvement in memory retrieval here reported merit further scrutiny.

Neuroprotective effects of Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham on oxygen and glucose deprivation induced damage in rat hippocampal slices.
BLife Sci. 2004 Aug 27;75(15):1897-906.
Alcoholic infusions of Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham are used in traditional medicine by patients presenting age associated symptoms and those recovering from stroke. The aim of this study is to evaluate the neuroprotective properties of muira puama ethanol extract using hippocampal slices from Wistar rats exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation followed by reoxygenation. This study suggests that muira puama contains useful neuroprotective compounds and, therefore, deserves further scrutiny.

Ptychopetalum olacoides, a traditional Amazonian "nerve tonic", possesses anticholinesterase activity.
Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2003 Jun;75(3):645-50.
Amazonian communities use traditional remedies prepared with muira puama roots for treating various central nervous system conditions, including those associated with aging. The fact that Ptychopetalum olacoides ethanol extract  has been found to facilitate memory retrieval in the step down procedure in young and aged mice prompt us to evaluate its effects on anticholinesterase activity in memory relevant brain areas. Ptychopetalum olacoides significantly inhibited anticholinesterase activity in vitro in a dose- and time-dependent manner in rat frontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum; a significant inhibition was also found in these same brain areas of aged (14 months) mice after acute administration of Ptychopetalum olacoides. We propose that such anticholinesterase inhibitory activity is a neurochemical correlate of a number of therapeutic properties traditionally claimed for muira puama, particularly those associated with cognition.

This Ptychopetalum olacoides page was last updated in 2008.
 

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