Muira Puama Health Benefits

Muira Puama, scientifically known as phychopetalum Olacoids, is a tree that is native to rainforests of the Amazon and has been used by local Brazilian tribes for centuries.

These tribes used this herb to reduce stress, reinforce virility, stimulate the nervous system, and many others. This herb’s action is amplified when combined with other herbs, well known as being adaptogenic, aphrodisiac, and nerve tonics.

This plant was recommended by the health care practitioner of that time to help support virility, stress, and more. The extract of this herb was applied on the skin with the help of a moist cotton wool pad or with the help of fingertips.

Muira Puama Health Benefits

All of these benefits are due to the presence of alkaloids, fatty acids, and some major bioactive components in this plant. Muirapuamine is a major active component of this plant, which is present in its stem.

This plant is also a good source of antioxidants like ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and luteolin, which provide protection against oxidative stress. Due to all of these properties, this herb is also good for the gut, joint health, and central nervous system.

See also 9 Common Causes Infertility In Men and Top 9 Herbs In Fertility.

What Is Muira Puama?

Muira puama is a flowering plant that belongs to the family “Olacaceae. This plant is native to the rainforests of the Amazon.

This plant is famous for many other names, such as Miranda, Muira Pauma, marapuama, and also potency wood.

It is a shrub or small tree growing to about 14 feet in height. The leaves are short-petioled, 3 inches in length and about 2 inches in width, with light green color on the upper surface and dark brown color on the lower surface.

This plant’s flowers are in short bunches with four to six flowers on each. The plant’s root is tough and strong. Inside, the root is dark brown with thin bark and brown wood. It doesn’t smell very strong and has a slightly salty taste.

Folklore and History of Muira Puama:

Historically, all the plants of Muira Puama have been used in medicines to treat various health conditions. But the bark and roots were the most-utilized part of the plant as these contain a large number of bioactive compounds and antioxidants.

In Brazilian Pharmacopoeia, this plant is mentioned as a powerful aphrodisiac and has been used in the Amazon by local people for many different purposes.

The roots and stem of the young  plant were used by the Natives along the Brazilian Amazon’s Rio Negro River. They used the root and stem of this plant as a tonic to treat neuromuscular problems.

The root decoction of Muira Puama is used in massage oils and baths for treating beriberi and paralysis.

A tea made from the root and bark of this plant is taken to treat sexual dysfunction, grippe, rheumatism, and cardiac and gastrointestinal weakness. It is also considered effective in treating baldness.

In Brazilian herbal medicines, it has a great reputation as a powerful aphrodisiac and sexual stimulant.

Traditional Uses of Muira Puama:

Often referred to as “Viagra of the Amazon,” Muira Puama has a long history of traditional use as an aphrodisiac, energy tonic, and remedy for impotence. This herb also offers a therapeutic approach to losing libido in both women and men.

Muira puama extract is also considered a nerve tonic and used by traditional cultures, which still use it as it can provide various health benefits. Due to its high antioxidant and bio-component value, It became famous in Europe in no time.

It has also had a long history of use as an anti-rheumatic, aphrodisiac, a tonic for gastrointestinal disorders and overall health. The recommended dosage for Muira Puama tincture is 2-4 ml twice daily or as prescribed by the herbal practitioner.

Benefits of Muira Puama

Due to the presence of various bioactive components, This plant can provide a lot of health benefits, including treating various medical health conditions.

1. Improve Sexual Health:

This plant, also known as Potency wood, has been used by the Amazonian people to treat various age-related health conditions.

Muira Puama is marketed as an “energetic tonic, body stimulant, and aphrodisiac” in the Brazilian market. This is because it can be useful in restoring libido and supporting healthy erectile responses in men suffering from age-related complaints.

The main reason behind the aphrodisiac property of Muira Puama is the presence of “sterols” in it. These sterols are the building blocks of sex hormones like testosterone.

According to one study, Muira Puama can relax the corpus cavernosal, a sponge-like area that holds blood during an erection.

This relaxation helps in increasing the blood flow toward the penis, which results in a strong and firm erectile response.

Two studies were conducted by Dr. Jacques Maynberg. In these studies, the extract, of this plant, was given to men suffering from low libido and diminished erectile capacity. The extract was given to them for two weeks.

Both of the studies show that 60-70% of men who were given the extract reported a notable increase in their libido and improvement in maintaining an erection.

2. Improve Memory:

Muira Puama has been used for centuries by the indigenous people of the Amazon as a remedy for a sluggish central nervous system.

This plant has been studied for many years due to its effect on the nervous system. A study found that it has various central nervous system activities, including a mild anxiogenic effect. This means it can help stimulate CNS and result in increased mental performance and physical stamina.

Muira Puama can also improve memory among older adults. According to one animal study conducted by Brazilian researchers in 2004, the rats were divided into two groups.

One group was given the herb for a few days, while the other group did not. Both of the groups of mice went through a memory test after that.

The researchers found out that the mice treated with the herb performed better in the memory test as compared to the control group.

Researchers also conducted that this memory-enhancing effect of Muira Puama can be due to the ability of this herb to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

This neurotransmitter is necessary for cognition and memory. By protecting acetylcholinesterase, Muira Puama is considered to have therapeutic properties for cognition-impaired and memory-affected patients as well.

3. Reduce Risk of Various Brain Related Issues:

To have a full and healthy life, maintaining your brain health is very important, and Muira Puama can be very helpful in that. The extract of Muira Puama has antioxidant compounds that are uniquely beneficial for neurological tissues.

In some animal studies (Silva, 2009), the extract of Muira Puama was examined to evaluate its effect on brain tissues and health.

The study concluded that Muira Puama has the ability to decrease free radicals that occur in several regions of the brain, including the cerebellum, hypothalamus, and striatum.

The researchers also found out that Muira Puama may also be able to reduce the effect of certain toxins and improve memory retention.

This neuroprotective quality of Muira Puama may also be beneficial in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Animal studies (Figueiró, 2010) have also shown that Muira Puama can reduce the cognitive impairment linked with Alzheimer’s disease.

This research also concluded that the extract of this plant can decrease the plaques themselves. This makes the brain heal and function better in people suffering from such cognitive impairment.

4. Acts As An Adaptogen:

Adaptogens are natural substances that can help keep the body healthy during physical or mental strain. Chronic stress can be very challenging for some people, and if it is not managed on time, it can even lead to some serious health issues like depression and anxiety.

Traditionally, Muira Puama has been used as an adaptogen. These days studies have also shown that this herb can be very helpful in treating and reducing the risk of stress-related mental health.

According to one study (Piato, 2010), the Muira Puama extract was given to the participant suffering from depression.

The result shows that this extract prevents the rise in stress-related hormones that accompanies exposure to stress. This extract also helps in improving stress-related glucose intolerance.

Another study (Keller, 2016) concluded that Muira Puama extract can be very helpful in reducing the symptoms of stress-related depression.

According to the researchers, this stress-relieving property of Muira Puama is due to its ability to prevent the HPA axis from becoming overstimulated.

5. Used For Supporting Psychological and Physical Libido:

Muira Puama, commonly known as “potency wood,” grows on a large scale in Amazon and has been used for centuries to increase sexual desire. This ability of this herb makes it famous in the US and Europe in no time.

Various research has been conducted, and all of these show the dynamic effect of Muira Puama on flagging libido.

Libido can be affected by various factors, including stress and lack of vitality. However, Muira Puama can be helpful with stress and vitality, the most common factor affecting the libido.

Moreover, Muira Puama can also help with stress management, stimulating the nervous system and general health and enhancing both physical and psychological aspects of sexual function.

According to a study (Mendes FR1, 2007), the libido-boosting potential was investigated in 202 women with low sexual desire.

The women were given supplements made from Muira Puama extract for one month. After one month of supplementation, the researchers found out that 65% of women experience improvements in their sexual desire and satisfaction.

The women also experienced more fantasies and increased orgasm intensity due to the its extract supplementation.

Recommended Dosage and Side Effects

Various studies which have shown the effect of Muira Puama on erectile dysfunction have used 1-1.5 grams of the extract per day.

This is considered to be the safe dosage of this herb, however, the dosage depends upon the form of Muira Puama in which it is being used.

Muira Puama is present in many different forms in the market, including:

• Powder form
• Capsules
• Pills
• Tonics

The fine powdered form of the of this plant can be added to hot or cold drinks, though the flavor of the powder is bitter. Therefore, it is better to add it to a strongly flavored beverage. It is also a good option for blending into smoothies or adding to soups, stews, and flavorful broths.

The extract of Muira Puama can be used by filling capsules to avoid the bitter flavor. Muira Puama supplements are also available in the market in capsules and pill forms.

Muira Puama is safe for most people, and the side effects from its extract or supplements are mild. However, this herb and its supplements have not been studied in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Therefore, those people should avoid such herbal supplements to prevent possible side effects.

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Conclusion:

Sexual dysfunction has become common day by day. But there are several natural herbs and remedies like Muira Puama extract! They are effective and safe for people suffering from such conditions.

Muira Puama has a long history of traditional use as an aphrodisiac, as this herb offers a therapeutic approach to losing libido in both women and men.

Muira puama plant is a flowering plant that belongs to the family “Olacaceae. This plant is native to the rainforests of the Amazon.

Historically, all the plants of this specific species have been used in medicines to treat various health conditions.

However, the bark and roots were the most-utilized part of the Muira Puama plant as these contain a large number of bioactive compounds and antioxidants.

This plant not only helps in boosting libido in both men and women, but this herb is also great for brain health and reducing stress levels.

Various studies have shown the effectiveness of Muira Pauma extract in reducing brain-related issues and improving memory.

Muira Puama supplements are very common these days and are used on a large scale to increase sex desire and stamina.

However, the safety of these herbal supplements on pregnant or breastfeeding women. Therefore, consult your doctor before starting any such kind of supplementation.