Yohimbe
pausinystalia johimbe (k. schum.) pierre ex beille
Medicinal Actions
Analysis pending research update.
Primary Conditions Treated
General Dosage
Do not take it except under a doctor’s advice; 0.5 g individual, up to 3–10 g bark/day; 1 oz bark/2 cups water, average dose = 500 mg bark; 2–4 ml liquid bark extract; 5–10 drops bark tincture 3 ×/day; 5–6 mg yohimbine 3–4 ×/day; 5 mg yohimbine 3 ×/day; 15–30 mg yohimbine/day; 10 mg 3 ×/daily/8 weeks for erectile dysfunction; 6 mg 3 ×/day for xerostomia; 1–2 StX capsules with 8 mg yohimbine.
Safety & Contraindications
Class 2d. CNS-stimulant. Not for prolonged use. Contraindicated in hepatosis, nephrosis, prostatosis, or chronic inflammation of the sex organs. May potentiate MAOIs and hypotensive drugs. High doses can lower blood pressure dangerously, with unpleasant digestive and CNS reactions. Commission E reports the bark contains the toxic alkaloid yohimbine. Standard doses may cause anxiety, dizziness, insomnia, and nausea; 40 mg can be dangerous: chills, hallucinations, muscular dysfunction, and vertigo. Do not mix with other antidepressants except under advice of a practitioner. “Therapeutic administration of yohimbine can cause nervous excitation, tremor, sleeplessness, anxiety, flushing, hallucinations, headache, increased blood pressure, and tachycardia, as well as nausea and vomiting. In case of existing liver and kidney disease, yohimbe preparations should not be used”. The normal dose of 5 mg yohimbine can create problems in patients with bipolar disorders; 10 mg can induce manic symptoms. Side effects and dosage peculiarities make it difficult to handle.