Muira Puama
(Potency Wood)

Table of Contents

Evidence of Benefits

(What's this?)	Aphrodisiac / Impotence / Libido Enhancer A research study conducted in Paris published by J. Waynberg and S. Brewer in 2000 showed that muira puama significantly increased the sexual drive in women. The researchers concluded that there were significant improvements "in frequency of sexual desires, sexual intercourse, and sexual fantasies, as well as in satisfaction with sex life, intensity of sexual desires, excitement of fantasies, ability to reach orgasm, and intensity of orgasm." However the authors cautioned that this is not a double-blinded placebo controlled study (the best and accepted way of setting up a research study). For other natural remedies that are used to increase sex drive, click here.
	Erectile Dysfunction Anecdotal reports suggest that muira puama is beneficial in helping with erectile dysfunction. The only research study we could locate was a study done on rabbits. The study done in Paris in 2000 only looked at the benefits of potency wood in female subjects. Unfortunately, they did not study the effect of muira puama on male and we can only assume that it would have similar effects in males. Click here to see a list of natural remedies that have been traditionally used to treat ED.
	Depression / Stress (Adaptogen) A study in rats by A.L. Piato et al. in July 2008 showed that in rats, potency wood acted as an antidepressant and it also helped the rats adapt to simulated stress.
	Memory Loss / Alzheimer's Disease Several studies in rats done by A.L. da Silva et al. and I.R. Siqueira et al. in 2003, 2005 and 2007 showed that potency wood enhances memory performance. They believed it works like an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor similar those found in prescription drugs such as Razadyne / Reminyl, Exelon, Namenda/Ebixa and Aricept.
	Breast Cancer / Cancer A research paper showed that many Amazon rain forest plants has anti-cancer properties. These research projects were conducted in a lab setting only. Another study by G.J. Kapadia et al in 2002 also suggests that potency wood has anti-cancer like effect. It was also conducted in a lab setting.
	Oxidative Stress A study in rats suggest that muira puama has the ability to reduce damage to brain cells caused by oxidative stress.
	Adaptogen Anecdotal reports suggest many Amazon rain forest plants have adaptogen effects (anti-stress, memory enhancement, increased physical and/or sexual performance).  .
	Male Pattern Baldness / Hair Loss There is no evidence that muira puama is effective in preventing or treating hair loss in males.

Facts about Muira Puama

Suggested Benefits and Traditional Uses

• adaptogen effect
• aphrodisiac / increase sexual drive (libido)
• breast cancer
• depression (acts as an antidepressant)
• enhance physical performance
• erectile dysfunction / impotence
• fatigue
• hair loss
• increase mental focus
• indigestion
• male pattern baldness
• memory enhancement
• memory loss (Alzheimer's disease)
• menopause symptoms
• nerve tonic (tonic for the nervous system)
• sexual dysfunction / enhancing sexual performance
• stimulant
• stress

Topically Cream/Gel (on the skin) and Transdermal Patch

• erectile dysfunction / impotence
• sexual dysfunction

Side Effects, Toxicity and Warnings

Safety and Side Effects - A study conducted by C.H. Oliveira in 2005 showed that there were no reported side effects or toxic effect on the volunteers who took a mixture containing potency wood for a period of 28 days.

Dosage & How to Take It

A product, for example, could indicate that 1 mL contains 500 mg of potency wood. Buy products that discloses the concentration of the herb.

It is also found in multi-ingredient (combination) supplements.

Cream/Gel Formulation - It is applied to the penis prior to sexual intercourse to enhance erection. Avoid applying excessive amounts of cream as it might numb the penis.

Transdermal Patch - It is unknown whether muira puama crosses through the skin and gets into the bloodstream. There is no study done to verify this. Avoid using the patch formulation.

Related Topics and Resources