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What is Catuaba? Catuaba is a medicinal herb from the bark of a group of Amazonian trees believed to offer health benefits for sexually dysfunction men…..(more)

Catuaba Preparation Catuaba bark are harvested from catuaba tree, the bark is dried and pulverized and boiled in water to create a tea….(more)

Catuaba Species: Erythroxylum vacciniifolium, Juniperus brasiliensis, Eriotheca candolleana, Trichilia catigua, Anemopaegma mirandum

Common Names: Catuaba, cataguá, catiguá, caramu, chuchuhuasha, pau de repostaru, piratançara, tatuaba, angelim-rosa,

Catuaba is the common name given to a variety of Amazonian trees where the barks are collected and used in Brazilian herbal medicine for sexual dysfunction and as libido enhancer. Erythroxylum vacciniifolium is the more common Catuaba tree. But other trees such as Trichilia catigua, the Juniperus brasiliensis, Eriotherca candolleana and Anemopaegma mirandum are also called Catuaba.

The common sources of more effective catuaga barks are the Erythroxylum vacciniifolium and the Trichilia catigua trees. While catuaga barks from Juniperus brasiliensis, Eriotherca candolleana and Anemopaegma mirandum and considered less potent.

The Erythroxylum vacciniifolium is commonly called the small Catuaba tree by Brazilian gatherers. It can only grow to about 2 to 4 meters in height and has yellow orange flowers bearing dark yellow to orange berry-like inedible fruits.

On the other hand, The Trichilia catigua which grows to over 8 meters tall is commonly called the big catuaba tree. Trichilia catigua has dark green oblong leaves, green to red small round clustered fruits and cream-colored flowers.

Catuaba tincture and capsules are available in most health stores and herbal medicine shops.

Catuaba tincture and capsules can be bought from online marketers.

Dosage:

Amazon natives traditional drinks Catuaba tea 1 to 3 cups a day to enhance sexual desire.

Commercially marketed Catuaba tincture and capsules are of differing concentrations. Follow the directions as instructed in the labels.

Catuaba can Enhance Sexual Performance

Catuaba’s widely known health benefit is it effect to the male reproductive organ. Catuaba tea has long been used in traditional Brazilian medicine as aphrodisiac and as tonic to stimulate the central nervous system. It was widely believed that an infusion of Catuaba bark contains active constituents that can increase male libido, enhance sexual performance and can cure impotency. Although there are no sufficient clinical studies that can back up this claim, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t work.

Catuaba can protect skin cells against cytotoxic activity

In a study published in “Toxicology in Vitro, 2004” entitled “Potent protecting effects of Catuaba (Anemopaegma mirandum) extract1s against hydroperoxide-induced cytotoxicity”, the study showed that Catuaba extract contain active ingredients called cinchonains IIa and IIb that protects the cells from the toxic effects of squalene monohydroperoxide (SQOOH) in rats.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15046771

Catuaba has anti-inflammatory health benefit

In a study published in “Phytotherapy Research, 2004” entitled “Inhibition of platelet phospholipase A2 activity by Catuaba extract suggests anti-inflammatory properties”, has shown that the inflammation process, phospholipase A2 (PLA2) catalyses was completely inhibited when Catuaba extract of 120microg/mL was administered to test subjects. The results suggests that Catuaba extract has the potential as a natural anti-inflammatory treatment
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15597313

Catuaba has promising activity against Parkinson’s disease.

In a study published in the Journal of Brain Research, 2008 entitled “Effects of the extract of Anemopaegma mirandum (Catuaba) on Rotenone-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastomas SH-SY5Y cells” it was found that Catuaba extracts have cytoprotective effects on Rotenone-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastomas SH-SY5Y cells. The results of this study suggest that commercial extracts from Catuaba tree (Anemopaegma mirandum) offers promising activity against Parkinson’s disease.
http://ukpmc.ac.uk/abstract/MED/18241847

Catuaba has antidepressant health benefit

In a study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2005 entitled “Antidepressant-like effects of Trichilia catigua (Catuaba) extract: evidence for dopaminergic-mediated mechanisms”, showed that there is a convincing evidence for the dopamine-mediated antidepressant-like effect of the active principle(s) present in the hydroalcoholic extract of Trichilias catigua in mice and rats when in vivo and in vitro strategies were employed. This study further suggests that a standardized T. catigua extract or its purified constituents can be of potential interest for the treatment of depressive disorders.
http://ukpmc.ac.uk/abstract/MED/15991001

Catuaba has Antimicrobial and HIV protective activity

In a study published in the International Journal of Experimental and Clinical Pathophysiology and Drug Research, 1992, entitled “Effects of Catuaba extracts on microbial and HIV infection” have shown that the pretreatment of mice with hot water and alkaline extracts of Catuaba casca (Erythroxylum Catuaba Arr. Cam.) effectively protected the mice from lethal infection of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The Catuaba extracts significantly inhibited both the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-induced cytopathic effect and the expression of HIV antigen in HIV-1HTLV-IIIB or HIV-2ROD infected human lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1) positive MT-4 cells.

Studies and reports are insufficient to establish Catuaba side effects for adults.

There are no sufficient scientific studies on its potential side effects during pregnancy and while breast feeding. Use is not recommended.

Catuaba is available in most health stores and online in amazon such as the Catuaba Bark Powder 16oz (1 Pound)

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