Catuaba Erythroxylum catuaba


Erythroxylum catuaba
catuaba bark
  • Common Names
  • Catuaba , caramuru, catagu, catigu, catigua, chuchuhuasha, pau de reposta, or tatuaba
  • Botanical Name
  • Erythroxylum catuaba
  • Syn. Trichilia catigua, Anemopaegma mirandum
  • Family
  • ERYTHROXYLACEAE
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Medicinal Uses & Benefits of Catuaba

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How to Use: Catuaba


Catuaba is the most famous of the Brazilian aphrodisiac plants, noted for it's ability to strengthen erections. Catuaba is an aphrodisiac that is useful in the treatment of impotence and prostatitis, and has been studied for possible benefits as a protective against opportunistic infection in HIV/AIDS. 1,4 In 2002, a Brazilian company was awarded a patent for an HIV prevention formula based on an extract of the herb, although research is still in progress.2

Preparation Methods & Dosage :Catuaba is most commonly available as a tincture, or can be taken as a decoction. For maximum effect, take the tincture in a small amount of water to which is added 1 teaspoon (4 milliliters) of lemon juice. Acidifying the tincture releases alkaloids and tannins. The native peoples of the Amazon who use catuaba combine it with muira puama, allowing the mixture to stand in warm water overnight to make an amber medicinal infusion. 2Catuaba is sold in commercial formulations in it's native Brazil4


Catuaba Side Effects: Use caution when purchasing catuaba, the bark of many different trees is marketed under this very common name. There are no reported side effects, but as with many popular aphrodisiacs, adulteration is of major concern. 3

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Regional Traditions :Central and South America *

Related Species The name catuaba is used for the infusions of the bark of a number of trees native to Brazil. Anemopaegma mirandum, Erythroxylum vacciniifolium, Trichilia catigua
Coca (Erythroxylum coca), whose leaves contain the powerful stimulant cocaine, is closely related.


History and Traditions & Folklore


References:
books citedWorks Cited
  1. Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002) Phyllis A. Balch
  2. Mountain Rose Herbs
  3. Planta Med. 2004 Oct;70(10):993-1000. "Morphological, chemical and functional analysis of catuaba preparations", 15490329:PubMed
    Fourteen commercial samples of the popular Brazilian aphrodisiac Catuaba specified as bark drugs of Anemopaegma, Erythroxylum and Trichilia species were examined for identity and purity. Only a minority of the examined Catuaba samples contained the crude drugs claimed on the labels.
  4. In Vivo. 1992 Mar-Apr;6(2):161-5. "Effects of Catuaba extracts on microbial and HIV infection.", 1525337:PubMed
    Their anti-HIV activity was shown to be induced, at least in part, via the inhibition of HIV adsorption to the cells. The data suggest a medicinal potential of Catuaba extracts against opportunistic infection in HIV patients.
  5. American Botanical Council
    Catuama® is a patented herbal extract containing three South American herbs - guarana (Paullinia cupana), catuaba (Trichilia catigua)**, muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides), - plus ginger (Zingiber officinale) is available commercially in Brazil and is used as a stimulant, tonic, and aphrodisiac.