Yohimbe: what is it
Yohimbe is the name of the drug made from the tree Pausinystalia yohimbe (Fam. Rubiaceae), particularly widespread in the regions of West Africa. The active principle that characterizes it is known as yohimbine, sometimes Italianized in the term "ioimbine".
Active principles
In the phytotherapeutic field, the drug is the part of the plant processed and used for its content in active ingredients with the desired therapeutic effect.
Yohimbe is the drug obtained from the innermost part of the tree bark Pausinystalia yohimbe; within it we find about 5% of pharmacologically active substances, among which the best known is the indole alkaloid Yohimbine, naturally accompanied by substances of similar structure and activity (ioimbinine, ioimbenina).
Properties and Uses
Yohimbe and Yohimbine are traditionally considered aphrodisiacs and stimulants. In the first case, reference is made to their ability to stimulate sexual desire and performance; in the second to the enhancement of physical or intellectual abilities, to produce psychedelic effects at high doses. In the Western world, Yohimbine is known above all as a substance useful for promoting sports performance, improving erections and promoting weight loss.
Mechanism of action
All these effects are due to the ability of yohimbine to interact with α2-adrenergic receptors, which are important in regulating the release of neuerotransmitters from nerve endings. In fact, these self-receptors behave like a kind of thermostat, capable of sequestering a part of the norepinephrine released and inhibiting its release in relation to the quantity captured. Yohimbine, in particular, acts as a potent and selective alpha-2-adrenergic antagonist (blocker); thanks to this activity, the "inhibitory feedback" control exerted by the α2-adrenergic receptors is lost, with an "inevitable increase in the noradrenergic activity. The main results of this effect are a greater dilation of the blood vessels of the genitals and an increase in lipolysis (due to the reduction of the anti-lipolytic effect due to the stimulation of the alpha-adrenergic receptors).Despite these assumptions, the mechanisms by which yohimbine carries out its effects have not yet been fully elucidated.
Effectiveness
Regarding the alleged usefulness of Yohimbine as an aphrodisiac substance, numerous studies have been conducted. In light of the collected results, the current orientation is to attribute to this active principle a certain benefit in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, although its effects are considered modest and not always effective. The aphrodisiac action of ioimbine can be enhanced by the simultaneous intake of arginine, an amino acid necessary for the synthesis of nitric oxide (a very important substance in the mechanism of erection).
How to use
Since the Yohimbe drug can contain different percentages of Yohimbine and similar substances, the effects of its characterizing active ingredient have been studied by isolating it from the phytocomplex and administering it at doses normally between 15 and 30 mg - often divided into two or three intakes. daily - in the form of yohimbine hydrochloride (drug available only with a prescription). It is recommended to take it on an empty stomach, especially when you intend to promote the weight loss process.
Side effects
Especially when used in high dosages, Yohimbine can produce a long list of side effects, such as tachycardia, hypertension, insomnia, headaches, anxiety, hallucinations and panic attacks; its use is not recommended for patients with heart, liver and kidney diseases, or mental disorders, as well as the association with other stimulating preparations, such as caffeine, ephedrine or amphetamines.
In general, a prudent approach may be to start by taking Yohimbine at dosages about 3 times lower than the optimal dose, to be gradually increased over the following days. In this way, any side effects will appear in a less severe and more controllable way.
Due to the numerous contraindications and possible drug interactions, a medical consultation is necessary before taking Yohimbine-based preparations. Currently (May 2017), Yohimbe is not marketable in Italy as a food supplement.
Select plant Fir Acacia Acerola Sorrel Yarrow Yarrow Yarrow Aconito Adatoda Garlic Agnocasto Agrimonia Alchemilla Alkekengi Aloe Altea Witch Hazel Ammi or Visnaga Pineapple Andrographis Anemone Pulsatilla Angelica Anise Star Anise Japanese Star Anise Bitter Orange Bitter Areca Arnica Harpagophytum Arpagophyte Artemisia Asteragus Basil Asparagus Asparagus Peruvian Asparagus Asparagus Asparagus Hawthorn Boldo Borage Shepherd's Purse Boswellia Bucco Butea superba Cocoa Coffee Cajeput Calamus Calamus Marigold Camedrio Chamomile Roman Chamomile Camphor Cinnamon Ceylon Maidenhair Capuchin Artichoke Cardamom Cardiac Thistle Asian Thistle Carvi Cascara Cassia Catecu Catha Cabbage Celandine Chicory Centaurea Cinnamon Cypress Celandine Chives Cypress Coca Cola Colchico Combreto Condurango Comfrey Coriander Cranberry Barberry American Chrysanthemum Cumin Turmeric Damiana Digital Dioscorea Drosera Dulcamara Dunalilella Echinacea Eder a Ephedra Elenio Eleutherococcus Helichrysum Evening primrose Horsetail Alfalfa Erica Euphrasia Erisimo Escolzia Eucalyptus Farfara Farfaraccio Calabar bean Fenugreek Fennel Phytolacca Frangola Ash Fumaria Japanese Mushrooms Galega Ganoderma lucidum Garcinia Cambogia Mulberry Gentian Broom Ginkgo Ginkgo Guipana Guipana Gynestra Ginkgo Hibelia Gymnasium Hibiscus Guarulp St. John's Wort Horse Chestnut Ispaghul Hyssop Jaborandi Kava kava Konjac Laminaria Cherry Laurel Lavender Lemongrass Lespedeza Lovage Icelandic Lichen Lemon Flax Lippia Licorice Lobelia Hops Maca Marjoram Maize Mallow Manna Marrubio Marrubio d "water Matè Melaleuca Meliloto American Lemon balm Myrtle Myrama Walnut Nutmeg Walnut vomica Olive tree Meadowsweet Ononide Opuntia Oregano Orthosiphon Nettle Poppy Papaya Parietaria Feverfew Passiflora Chilli Perilla Periwinkle Phyllanthus Plantain Picrorhiza Pilosella Pino Pisci dia Podofillo Polygala Grapefruit Parsley Psyllium Pueraria mirifica Butcher's broom Pygeum Quassia Oak Rhubarb Ratania Rauwolfia currant Castor bean Rhodiola Rosehip Rosemary Rue Willow Sarsaparilla Sage Elderberry Sassafras Sedum Ergot Senna Serenoa Repens Soybean Solidago Tansy Taraxus Tamarind Tamarind Tamarind Tamarind Tamarindo Ursina Valerian Vanilla Mullein Verbena Veronica Viburnum Vinca Pansy Mistletoe Vine Withania Yohimbe Saffron Ginger Pumpkin Select disease Juvenile Acne Rosacea Tinnitus Tinnitus Aerophagia Tendon Affections Afonia Aphthae Algias Functional Halitosis Breastfeeding Allergy Anemia Anguish Anxiety Arteriosclerosis Asthrosis Asthrosis Arthritis Arthritis Men Sex Woman Blepharitis and Conjunctivitis Eye bags Bronchitis Gallstones Kidney stones Salivary stones Baldness Androgenetic Candida Fragile hair Caries Headache Cellulitis Motion sickness Cystitis C limaterio Cholecystopathy High cholesterol Ulcerative colitis Colonoscopy Contusions Hematoma Convalescence Couperose Depression Dermatitis Diaper dermatitis Diabetes Diarrhea Erectile dysfunction Dyslipidemia Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Disturbances of vision Hemorrhoids Epistaxis Herethism Heart disease Fever Fibromyalgia Gastro-intestinal disease Flatulence Hypertension Fibromyalgia Gastrointomnia Jaundice Laryngitis Renal lithiasis Toothache Sore throat Thinness Menopause Meteorism Mononucleosis Alzheimer's disease Crohn's disease Nausea Vomiting Obesity Dark circles Onychomycosis Osteoporosis Dry skin Periarthritis Piorea Low pressure Prostatitis Psoriasis Colds Breast fissures Anal fissures Gastro-nasal rhinitis Senescence Premenstrual Syndrome Sinusitis Quit smoking Overweight Fatty liver Constipation Stomatitis Stress Cough Triglycerides high Ulcer Burns Nails Brittle flashes Heat Warts Dizziness Properties herbal Tanning Abortive adaptogenic Aphrodisiac bittering analgesic anesthetic anorectics analgesic antacid anti-allergic anti-asthmatic Antibiotic catarrh Anticellulitiche anticonvulsant Antidiaforetiche antidiarrheal edematous anthelmintic antiemetic Antiemorroidarie antiphlogistic Antiidrotiche Antinevrotiche Antioxidants antipyretic antirheumatic antiscorbutic Antiseptic antispasmodic anti-uric Aperitive Flavoring Astringent Balsamic Bechiche Capillarotrope Cardiotonic Carminative Cathartic Caustics Healing Cholagogues Choleretic Dyes Decongestants Deodorants Purifying Diaphoretic Cleansers Disinfectants Detoxifiers Thirst quenching Diuretics Exciting Emetics Emmenagogues Emollients Hemostatic Energies Hepatoprotectors Expectorants Eupepticus Moisturisers Galactosensitizers lanti Hypertensive Hypnotic Hypoglycemic Hypotensive Irritants Laxatives Soothing Narcotic Nerves Nutrients Odontalgic Pectoral Purgative Revulsive Remineralizing Refreshing Rubefacient Scialagoghe Sedative Soporifugas Sneezing Stomachic Stomatics Narcotic Vascular Tightenitis