Muira Puama ~ Ptychopetalum olacoides

Muira Puama

Latin name: Ptychopetalum olacoides

Family: Olacaceae

Part used: bark, (also root, stem)

Habitat: Amazon rainforest

Main constituents: lupeol, fatty acids and fatty acid esters (esp. behenic acid), essential oils (beta-caryophyllene and alpha-humulene), plant sterols, triterpenes (including lupeol), alkaloids (including muirapuamine)

Energetics: unknown

Main herbal actions: aphrodisiac, adaptogenic, antifatigue, antistress

Minor herbal actions: hypotensive, hypocholesterolemic, antiulcer

Main medicinal uses: disorders of the nervous system and sexual impotence, infertility, cardiac and gastrointestinal asthenia, CNS disorders

Minor medicinal uses: chronic rheumatism, partial paralysis, neurasthenia

Preparations: tincture, esp. effective when boiled to release the active compounds; decoction, ½ ounce as decoction (Khalsa)

Contraindications: none

Toxicity: none

Sources: http://www.rain-tree.com/muirapuama.htm

Module 3

Dose is pretty high – 1 oz of tea.

Very popular aphrodisiac for male and female in South America

Mild remedy “Herb of Love”