Boost Energy! Burn Fat Fast! Enhance Sexual Performance! These claims are common to almost all supplements containing yohimbe. Some of the most popular productsthat contain yohimbe. These products boast the claim that yohimbe is a natural supplement that promotes vasodilation and the release of neurotransmitters that help to produce all of the above advertised effects. But does this “miracle supplement” really work?
Pausinystalia yohimbe, or yohimbe, comes from the bark of an evergreen tree that is native to Central Africa.1 The main constituent in the bark of this plant is yohimbine, an α-2 receptor antagonist. 1 Yohimbine can also be found in the South American herb Quebracho.2 It has traditionally been used in Africa and South America as an aphrodisiac for centuries. The bark of the tree is soft and thick and is easily removed from the trunk and branches.3 The Theory behind this “natural wonder” is that yohimbine functions as a monoamine oxidase(MAO) inhibitor in order to increase norephinephrine. It also stimulates the central nervous system, blocking specific α-2 adrenergic receptors, possibly causing an increase in energy levels and fat oxidation. Yohimbe is also said to cause dilation of blood vessels, thus making it a successful treatment for erectile dysfunction and helpful in increasing sexual performance.2
Do these theories make sense? Studies of the effects of yohimbe on the germ cells of Swiss albino mice have shown that yohimbe causes an increase in the seminal vesicle weight as well as count and motility of sperm; however, overall male fertility decreased as a result of treatment with the supplement.4 Furthermore, clinical research has shown that yohimbine can potentially cause dizziness, nausea, insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, panic, headache, sweating, hypertension, tachycardia, tremors, increased urinary frequency, diarrhea, dyspepsia, rash, and erythrodermic skin eruption in humans.5 As of yet, no significant research has been able to prove that yohimbe has either thermogenic or anabolic effects; nor have any studies been able to produce solid evidence that there is any effect on human sex drive or performance.2 The animal studies have concluded that extreme caution should be taken in the usage of products containing yohimbe.4 In addition to this, the recent surge in popularity of herbal supplementation over prescription drugs may suggest that the adverse effects of these natural products are under-reported in order to make their effects seem small and benign in nature.6
Based on the research it is clear that additional research should be conducted on the actual effectiveness of yohimbe as a natural supplement. As a result of limited research, claims such as Boost Energy!, Burn Fat Fast!, and Enhance Sexual Performance! Remain unwarranted. It is still unclear as to the exact role that yohimbe plays in accomplishing any of the target claims to which it is commonly linked. Until further research is done, use of this so called “natural wonder” is clearly unwarranted and potentially harmful.
References
1. Pittler MH , Ernst E. Dietary supplements for body-weight reduction: a systematic
review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004; 79(4): 529-536.
2. Supplement Watch, Inc. Yohimbe [supplement library]. 2007. Available at:
http://supplementwatch.com/suplib/supplement.asp?DocId=1287&templateId=100.
Accessed on April 4, 2007.
3. Drug Digest Online. Yohimbe [homepage]. 2004. Available at:
http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/PrintablePages/herbMonograph/0,11475,4048,00.html.
Accessed April 4, 2007.
4. Al-Majed AA , Al-Yahya AA, Al-Bekairi AM , Al-Shabanah OA , Qureshi S .
Reproductive, cytological and biochemical toxicity of Yohimbe in male Swiss albino
mice. Asian J Androl. 2006; 8(4): 469-76
5. Wooten V. Effectiveness of yohimbine in treating narcolepsy.South Med J, 1994; 87:
1065–6.
6. Pittler MH, Schmidt K, Ernst E.Adverse events of herbal food supplements for body
weight reduction: systematic review. Obes Rev. 2005; 6 (2): 89-92
