Yohimbe has been traditionally used in Africa for the treatment of fever, chest pain, coughs, leprosy, and as an aphrodisiac or to boost sexual desire. Recently, other claimed health benefits include treatment for depression and anxiety, exhaustion, high blood pressure, diabetes, and in building muscular form. But yohimbe is mostly popular to arose sexual excitement and an herb to treat erectile dysfunction.
Therapeutic Benefits of Yohimbe for Erectile Dysfunction
Yohimbe health benefit as an erectile dysfunction treatment has gained commercial popularity in recent years until the coming of Viagra. Yohimbe has been promoted to increase libido and promote erection in men. There are varied clinical results on its efficacy, while some studies suggests it efficacy, others do not.
Yohimbine an alkaloid of yohimbe has been found to relax and dilate the blood vessels in the penis, thereby increasing blood flow and erection. There are also some indication that it promotes blood flow to the part of the brains that controls sexual functions.
The British Journal of Clinical Practice. May to June of 1994 reported the therapeutic benefits of Yohimbine in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. According to the report Yohimbine appear to have a modest therapeutic benefit over placebo, particularly in erectile dysfunction caused by psychogenic or mental disturbance and other medications. [1]
Fat Loss Effects of Yohimbe
The Journal of Research in Sports Medicine. October 2006 reported that the Institute of Sports Medicine in Serbia and Montenegro conducted a study to determine the effects of yohimbine supplementation on body composition and exercise performance in professional soccer players. Twenty soccer players were randomly divided into two groups, one to take yohimbe tablets while the other will take placebo. After 21 days, the percentage of body fat significantly decreased in the yohimbine group after the supplementation protocol. No subject reported any side effects from yohimbine. The results of the current study indicate that supplementation with yohimbine combined with resistance training does not significantly alter the body mass, muscle mass, or performance indicators in professional soccer players. Moreover, yohimbine supplementation appears to be suitable as a fat loss strategy in elite athletes. [2]
Yohimbe Benefits for Anxiety Disorders
In a clinical study done in UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, it has been found that Yohimbe promotes the natural release of adrenalin which can help quell anxiety. Normally, adrenaline prompts physiological changes in the body in response to physical and mental stress by increasing heart rate and body metabolism. Yohimbe has been found to outperformed propanolol, a medication used to hinder the physiological in anxiety disorders.[3]