Yohimbe is the name of the bark of a tall evergreen tree in western Africa known as Pausinystalia yohimbe or Corynanthe yohimbe. Yohimbe bark has been used for centuries in some western African nations for sexual enhancement.
    Yohimbe bark has been reported to contain up to 6% total alkaloids, 5-15% of which is yohimbine. In other words, a small percentage of a chemical called yohimbine is found in the bark of the yohimbe tree. Currently yohimbe bark extracts are sold in varying alkaloid concentrations, ranging from plain yohimbe bark powder, to yohimbe 4% extract, yohimbe 8%, and up to 20%. The higher the concentration of yohimbe extract, the more potent the yohimbe, and the more likely yohimbe side effects will occur. But then again, the higher percentage extracts are more effective at a lower dosage. Some companies promote yohimbe for weight loss. I have not found this herb effective for this purpose.
     
Is yohimbe supplement only for men?
Yohimbe herb is often thought of for male erectile function. Most people don't realize that this herb is also a sexual stimulant in women. Women like the enhanced sensation and engorgement of genital organs that yohimbe provides, as long as the dose is kept low to prevent the yohimbe side effects discussed below.

The potent herbal extracts in Passion Rx include Ashwagandha, Catuaba, Cnidium, Herba Cistanches, Horny-Goat-Weed, Maca, Muira puama, Passion flower, Tongkat Ali and LJ100, Tribulus and Yohimbe. You will also find Passion Rx without yohimbe. Dr. Ray Sahelian says: "I have tried Viagra and Passion Rx with yohimbe. Viagra works very well for erections, and rather quicikly, but that's about it. I much prefer Passion Rx since, in addition to better and longer lasting erections, it naturally enhances sensation, sex drive, stamina, and overall enjoyment. It just takes two to three days for the full benefits to occur."

Yohimbine versus Yohimbe
Yohimbine is a drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Almost all clinical studies have been conducted with yohimbine rather than yohimbe bark powder or yohimbe extracts. For more than 80 years yohimbine has been used as a treatment for male and female sexual difficulties. In my opinion, yohimbe bark works quite well. I have tried yohimbine, and I actually prefer the yohimbe bark supplement.

What the Research Says about Yohimbe supplement
Yohimbine (not yohimbe) has been evaluated in the management of erectile disorder by means of many placebo-controlled trials. It does appear to have a therapeutic benefit. In contract, yohimbe has not been studied much. Here's one summary of a study:
   A 1977 German double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of yohimbine hydrochloride included 86 patients with erectile dysfunction and without clearly detectable organic or psychologic causes. Yohimbine was administered orally in a dosage of 30 mg a day (two 5 mg tablets three times daily) for eight weeks. Patients were seen for follow-up after four weeks' treatment, and for a final visit after eight weeks. Efficacy evaluation was based on both subjective and objective criteria. Subjective criteria included improvement in sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, frequency of sexual contacts, and quality of erection (penile rigidity) during sexual contact/intercourse. Objective criteria of outcome were based on improvement in penile rigidity determined by use of polysomnography in the sleep laboratory. Overall Yohimbine was found significantly more effective than placebo in terms of response rate: 71 vs 45%. Yohimbine was well-tolerated: Only 7% of patients rated tolerability fair or poor, and most adverse experiences were mild. There was no serious adverse event.

Women and Yohimbe
A study conducted at the University of Texas at Austin, Texas examined the effects of arginine combined with yohimbine (not yohimbe) on sexual arousal in postmenopausal women with Female Sexual Arousal Disorder. Twenty-four women participated in three treatment sessions in which self-report and vaginal sexual responses to erotic stimuli were measured following treatment with either L-arginine (6 g) plus yohimbine (6 mg), yohimbine alone (6 mg), or placebo, using a randomized, double-blind, three-way cross-over design. Sexual responses were measured at approximately 60 minutes postdrug administration. The combined oral administration of L-arginine and yohimbine substantially increased vaginal pulse amplitude responses to the erotic film at 60 min postdrug administration compared with placebo. The vaginal response was measured with an instrument called a vaginal photoplethysmograph.
   Even though yohimbe was not tested, it would make sense that yohimbe would also have similar activity.

Mechanism of Action
Yohimbine acts through the nervous system to increase blood flow to the genital region. Although many pharmacological properties of yohimbine have been described, at the plasma concentration attained at recommended dosages in humans the predominant activity is antagonism of alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Yohimbine is a specific extract from yohimbe bark. It is not clear whether the other alkaloids in yohimbe also have a pro-sexual effect.

Availability of Yohimbe supplements
Yohimbe bark is sold widely in different dosages and extract potencies including yohimbe 4%, yohimbe 6%, 8%, and 10% alkaloids. It is difficult to give precise dosage recommendations for yohimbe extracts since sometimes manufacturers and formulas are not consistent in their content or extract potencies of yohimbe. In one study, of twenty commercial aphrodisiac preparations were analyzed and the amount of yohimbine measured and expressed as the maximal dose per day suggested on product labels ranged from 1.32 to 23.16 mg.

Timing and Frequency of Yohimbe use
Yohimbe may be used either daily or before planned activity. In my opinion, since yohimbe works quite quickly, it makes sense that it be taken as needed one to three hours before planned sexual activity rather than taken daily. The effects last several hours. I don't recommend you take yohimbe close to bedtime since it can have a stimulant and alertness causing effect for several hours. I don't recommend you mix yohimbe with alcohol or stimulant drugs, including high doses of caffeine.

Yohimbe Research studies
Endothelin-like action of Pausinystalia yohimbe aqueous extract on vascular and renal regional hemodynamics in Sprague Dawley rats.
Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2003 Dec;25(10):817-22.
The bark of the African tree Yohimbe has been used as a food additive with aphrodisiac and penile erection enhancing properties. The effect of an aqueous extract of yohimbe on renal circulation was assessed in order to test the hypothesis that it possesses additional effects on nitric oxide production and/or endothelin-1 (ET-1)-like actions. In vivo studies with yohimbe in Sprague Dawley rats demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in mean blood pressure and an increase in medullary blood flow (MBF). Both the pressor action and renal medullary vasodilation of yohimbe were blocked by endothelinA (ETA) receptor antagonist BMS182874 and endothelinB (ETB) receptor antagonist BQ788 in combination. L-Nomega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10 mg/kg) also inhibited the increase in MBF induced by yohimbe. In vitro studies in isolated perfused kidney and in pressurized renal microvessels confirmed the dose-dependent vasoconstrictor action of this extract. ETA receptor antagonist BQ610 and ETB receptor antagonist BQ788 separately and significantly attenuated the renal vasoconstrictor actions of the yohimbe extract. These preliminary observations indicate that, in addition to the alpha-adrenergic antagonist actions that characterize yohimbine, yohimbe possesses endothelin-like actions and affects nitric oxide (NO) production in renal circulation. These findings suggest a strong possibility of post-receptor cross-talk between alpha2-adrenoceptors and endothelin, as well as a direct effect of alpha2-adrenoceptors on renal NO production.

Qualitative and quantitative determination of yohimbine in authentic yohimbe bark and in commercial aphrodisiacs by HPLC-UV-API/ MS methods.
Phytochem Anal. 2003 Jul-Aug;14(4):193-201.
The development and validation of a rapid qualitative and quantitative method for the analysis of yohimbine in a number of commercial yohimbe aphrodisiac products is reported. Twenty commercial aphrodisiac preparations were analyzed and the amount of yohimbine measured and expressed as the maximal dose per day suggested on product labels ranged from 1.32 to 23.16 mg. yohimbe products, yohimbe research.

Yohimbe supplement emails
Q. Can i combine Passion RX and Yohimbe with no adverse effects? 
   A. We don't recommend the combination since yohimbe has a high rate of side effects, unless you are very familiar with how Passion Rx affects you or how yohimbe affects you and you use portions of the capsules, as opposed to the full amounts, and with medical approval.

Q. How many mg. of yohimbe is considered safe or not having side effects. I'm taking high blood med., is there a safe dose in my case.
   A. It's very hard to say since yohimbe comes in different potency extracts. One can purchase yohimbe powder or more concentrated extracts such as 2%, 4%, and up to 20%. The higher the percentage, the more potent. As to the powder, it's probably safe under 100 mg but each person is different and there is a wide range of response.

Q. Thanks for a very informative website.  I have a question about a particular supplement.  My wife and I tried yohimbe (taken  1.5 hours before activity) and we both found it to be very effective.  This brand was 112.5 mg. , 8% yohimbine alkaloids.  But we later learned that yohimbe is on the FDA list of dangerous supplements, causing kidney failure and even death.  Since you advocate the use of  yohimbe and include it in some of your products, in what way would this product cause these problems?  Also, I noticed that  some foods should be avoided when taking this supplement.  What happens if these foods are consumed concurrently with yohimbe use? 
   A. Yohimbe is an effective herb for healthy erectile function and also for women. Yohimbe has a narrow range of effectiveness versus side effects. I have tried the dosage and potency you mention and it was effective but I felt very hot and my heart was racing. In Passion Rx we only have 55 mg of a 4% extract which makes it a quarter as potent but with fewer side effects.
     Yohimbe has long term side effects if taken in high doses 2 or 3 times daily -- perhaps the kidney problem you mention although it is very rare, and more worrisome is heart palpitations --  however there is no need to take yohimbe every day. I only recommend yohimbe during sexual activity which for most people is not more than 2 or 3 times a week. And people don't have to take yohimbe every time they have sex.

Q. What's the most common side effect from yohimbe?
   A. I would say the first thing you may notice after an hour or two of taking a yohimbe capsule or tablet is sweating under the arms. On higher doses of yohimbe you will notice a higher body temperature, an even higher doses of yohimbe lead to slightly blurred vision, mild anxiety, and a sense of not feeling well. Very high doses of yohimbe lead to heart palpitations. Fortunately, most of these yohimbe side effects only last an hour or two.

Q. I'm on beta blockers, can I take yohimbe?
   A. Beta blockers are known to lower sex drive and cause erectile dysfunction. Small amounts of yohimbe taken infrequently should not cause any problems, but of course this has to be done under medical supervision.

Q. Can I take yohimbe if I have high blood pressure?
   A. It depends. If you have moderate to severe hypertension, then you should avoid yohimbe. However, if you have mild hypertension, then small amounts of yohimbe, that is, less than 150 mg, should be fine, especially with the consent of your doctor. The blood pressure effects of yohimbe don't last all day, only a few hours.

Q. Can yohimbe  be combined with other herbs such as tribulus, maca, or hormy goat weed?
   A. I can only speak from my personal and professional experience. Thus far I have combined small amounts of yohimbe with several herbs and have not found any significant side effects. Yohimbe usually starts having an effect within an hour or two while other herbs take much longer.

Q. Does yohimbe give more energy?
   A. Yes and no. Small doses of yohimbe may make you slightly more motivated, but higher doses can cause unpleasant feelings, which would reduce energy.

Q. Can yohimbe be taken regularly for many months?
   A. As with most herbs, I recommend taking breaks from use. In the case of yohimbe, it's best to take it as needed since it works so quickly and there's no need for it to build up in the system like other herbs.

Q. Is it okay to workout after taking yohimbe?
   A. Yohimbe increases body temperature, so I don't think it's a good idea to take it and engage in heavy physical activity, particularly in warm weather. I would avoid yohimbe if you plan to be exposed to very hot temperatures. Drink cold water if you use this herb.

Q. I wanted to let you know about my yohimbe experience. I took one tablet of a GNC product called Yohimbe Active. Yohimbe Active contains 122.5 mg of yohimbe bark powdered extract (8% yohimbe alkaloid). I took the yohimbe in the evening, about 8 pm. Within an hour I felt hot, nauseated, kind of a sick feeling, with my heart pounding. Even my vision was blurred. I had sweating in the arm pits. It did work to make my erection come up spontaneously when I barely touched my penis, and it lasted all through my lovemaking, but while making love to my wife I was too distracted by the hot feeling and sweating.
   A. Thanks for the report. Yohimbe works well in leading to an erection, but the proper dose and extract potency is very important. The Yohimbe Active is too strong in my opinion and causes the side effects you mention. I prefer using a much lower dose of Yohimbe and combine it with other herbs that don't cause the yohimbe side effects.

Q. Is it okay to take yohimbe with fish oil capsules?
   A. I don't see any reason why yohimbe can't be combined with fish oils.

Q. Can yohimbe be used for weight loss?
   A. Some people do take for this purpose, but, in my opinion, the side effects of yohimbe are too annoying for it to be effective for this purpose.

Q. What should I do if i get side effects of fast heart beat from yohimbe?
   A. If you've taken a high dose of yohimbe and you have no medical problems, you can probably ride it out by lying in bed and drinking a lot of cool water. Usual yohimbe side effects of heart beating fast and strong should only last an hour or so. Call your doctor if you have taken a very high dose of yohimbe and you are noticing skipped beats.

Q. I tried yohimbe and my life will never be the same -- unfortunately. For the past three weeks I have suffered from cardiac arrhythmia. As a result, I may have to postpone much needed orthopedic surgery. Right now I am waiting to hear from my physician, who is consulting a heart specialist on this matter. I have never had heart disease in my entire life. At the age of 57 I have low cholesterol and low blood pressure, and my EKGs have always been normal. Until recently, I also had a nice, slow, steady pulse. Throughout most of my adult life, sex was very enjoyable, without any special devices. However, after menopause my physical responses dropped dramatically, although my desire never faded, especially after a very happy second marriage. Damiana, ginkgo, ginseng, estrogen suppositories, and other remedies failed to bring about any noticeable change. After taking yohimbe, sex with my wonderful husband was just a little bit like it was in the old days. But the medical consequences are not at all worth it. I would rather have more quiet sex and a healthy heart. May I suggest that you include a disclaimer in your books and on your website that these remedies are definitely not for people over fifty? I'm not even sure that they're safe for younger people, but yohimbe is definitely not safe for me.
   A.  We are distressed that this happened to you. Of all the herbs that are often used for sexual enhancement, yohimbe is probably the most difficult to dose. We wonder what yohimbe dosage you used. We hope this is temporary for you and the rhythm returns to normal. Was it a one time yohimbe dose, or did you take it multiple times? What was the brand name and the amount of the yohimbe product?
   Just a thought, and it is difficult to know, but it would be highly unlikely that any medicine or herb to cause permanent heart irregularities unless there was an underlying heart problem. If it is a normal heart to begin, and an irregular rhythm occurred due to a one time dose of an herb such as yohimbe, or medicine, the heart should revert back to normal after a certain time. As with anything in life, there are risks and benefits, including engaging in sports. For instance, one can have great pleasure while skiing, but there can also be serious injuries.

Q. I have tried Yohimbe, but frankly I don't like the anxiety and gastrointestinal side effects that larger dosages cause.

Q. Do you know much about the use of yohimbe. I have had some unusual experiences with a yohimbe product. I brought yohimbe back from the USA a few times when I was over there ( I live in Australia). Sometimes when I use it .... yohimbe makes my heart race and I get a tense, uneasy nervy feeling...(mind you 4 or 5 expressos can do a similar thing! ) hot feet and hands and profuse sweating. Yohimbe leaves me with a kind of hangover feeling the next day and still a bit of nervousness. It is not pleasant. The aphrodisiac quality is good however. It seems to depend on the dose. I have no problem with my heart....I have had all the stress test etc in that regard but I have had problems with anxiety attacks in the past.
   A. Yes, yohimbe has a narrow range of dosage, too little does not work, the right amount is good but still has minor side effects, and a little bit more can cause the yohimbe side effects you mention. Yohimbe is a difficult herb to use, but effective.

Q. In your book, Natural Sex Boosters, you indicate that you prefer yohimbe to Viagra. A number of reports state that yohimbe is very dangerous and that it has a narrow band between being effective and being toxic. They also claim that Viagra is a much safer alternative. What are the facts? Most of the products containing Yohimbe, that I have found, are standardized to 9 mg. of yohimbine with the bark content running from 120 mg to 300 mg. Is a 9mg. dose of yohimbine the right amount to be effective without bad side effects?
   A. Actually, since I wrote my book, I have revised my thoughts and would say that the right amount of yohimbe, combined with other sex herbs, is preferable to me than Viagra alone. I find Passion Rx with yohimbe to be such a combination. The drawback to yohimbe use is that it does have a narrow range of effectiveness versus side effects.  At lease yohimbe does not cause the potential blindness that Viagra can sometimes cause. Each person has a different dosage that works for them, so I would suggest starting with very low doses of yohimbe and gradually increasing to find the ideal amount. Yohimbe is not indicated for those with heart problems.

Q. You state on your site that norepinephrine is responsible for keeping the penis in a contracted or flaccid state and that by blocking alpha 2 norepinephrine sites, yohimbine can thus improve erection. But then you also say that yohimbine stimulates NE release. If it stimulates NE release and NE is responsible for contraction, then it would seem that yohimbine would hinder erection. This seems like a contradiction to me. Can you explain?
   A. Yohimbe or yohimbine induces norepinephrine secretion in the brain thus increasing sexual interest, but blocks the action of norepinephrine on peripheral type 2 adrenoreceptors in the penis. There are a number of different types of norepinephrine receptors in various parts of the body.

Q. I saw a website that was promoting Zenerx as a sexual product without yohimbe. Does Zenerx work and is there a Zenerx review anywhere to read? Also, have you heard of Zenerx side effects? The website claims that yohimbe is dangerous.
   A. We prefer not to comment on other products, and none of the research staff has taken Zenerx, therefore we don't know if Zenerx side effects are prominent or minimal or whether Zenerx is effective. If you do an online search for Zenerx review or Zenerx health review perhaps you can find information you are seeking. Yohimbe can be dangerous in high doses, but when used in the appropriate doses, yohimbe can be used effectively for sexual enhancement.

Q. I saw a flyer in a health food store regarding Advanced Yohimbe Plus and it said Ray Sahelian, M.D. had formulated this product. Can you tell me if Advanced Yohimbe Plus is endorsed by Dr. Sahelian?
   A. Dr. Sahelian formulated Advanced Yohimbe Plus back in the year 2000 but he is no longer associated with Irwin Naturals, the company that makes Advanced Yohimbe Plus. Therefore we cannot comment on this product. Dr. Sahelian voluntary withdrew his association in all forms and matters from Irwin Naturals in April of 2006.

Q. I greatly enjoy Dr Sahelian's writings. However, I believe it is a mistake to include yohimbe in libido formulations because of the frequent association between sexual dysfunction & heart disease. A cautionary note is not IMHO sufficient. Or in the alternative have formulations for those over 40 (35?) free of yohimbe.
   A. Every medicine or herb has the potential for side effects and as long as people are aware of the side effects with yohimbe and low doses are used, yohimbe has a role to play in sexual enhancement. The safety profile of yohimbe is not necessarily worse than Viagra. There have been more serious side effects reported with Viagra than with yohimbe.

Q. I am taking 8 mg yohimbine per day and want to know how much is in Passion Rx formula so I can adjust the amount accordingly.
   A. We would suggest not taking the yohimbine the same day as Passion Rx. They can be alternated every day with a day or two off each week if your doctor approves.

Q. I admire your industry and integrity! Just an anecdotal note regarding yohimbe supplements. I am 57 and have taken it from time to time for about ten years. My personal experience has been that while yohimbe supplements certainly improve erectile function (an objective appraisal) and seem to increase semen volume as well as number and forcefulness of contractions (a subjective appraisal), it tends to rob sensation at orgasm. I have studied aphrodisiac lore and self-experimented for decades, and find yohimbe in the final analysis useless unless taken in conjunction with other agents that directly increase orgasmic sensation.
Being hypertensive I shouldn’t take it at all, but still experiment with it—very occasionally—in aphrodisiac cocktails. I would be
interested to learn if my experience in this regard is common.
   A. Yohimbe supplements may not have a noticeable effect on sensation but they do seem to improve erectile function and possibly forcefulness of contractions.

Q. Does yohimbe raise or lower blood pressure?
   A. In most people yohimbe raises blood pressure and it is dosage dependent.

Q. I am interested in using Passion Rx. However, it contains both tongkat ali and yohimbe extract. i was under the impression that these two herbs should not be taken together as they are both pretty potent sexual enhancers. Am i wrong?
   A. The use of combination of herbs or medications depends on the dosage. For instance one can combine an ounce of beer and an ounce of wine but not a whole can and whole bottle together. The amount of tongkat ali and yohimbe in Passion Rx are small enough to combine.

The yohimbe tree in Africa
Yohimbe is native to the forests of western Africa, especially Cameroon, Zaire, and Gabon. Yohimbe is an evergreen tree that grows in the jungles of Africa. It can reach a height of 90 feet. The yohimbe bark is gathered at any time of year. In Africa, yohimbe has been used for generations as an aphrodisiac, a hallucinogen, an antiseptic, and to treat impotence. It was also used by warriors as a stimulant before battle. In the 1890s, medicinal use of yohimbe appeared in Europe.
   The yohimbe tree is commercially grown in Cameroon and Nigeria. The fast-growing yohimbe tree takes at least ten years to become harvestable and its only desired product is its bark. When producers cut the yohimbe bark, the yohimbe tree dies. Over-exploitation of yohimbe tree has been reported for years. Therefore, the yohimbe tree is becoming increasingly hard to find and growth on plantations has yet to start in a larger scale. According to a recent FAO study, the majority of yohimbe bark is collected by local people who are paid at the roadside for the delivery of bark. FAO has warned about "the destructive harvesting methods employed and the rapidly-growing market for aphrodisiac remedies," suggesting that the unique yohimbe tree soon may become endangered. The UN agency has reportedly begun a research program in Cameroon to investigate the potential of the yohimbe tree for domestication.

To see a video on You Tube regarding the benefits and risks of yohimbe, see YouTube yohimbe supplement 

This yohimbe supplement page was last updated in April 2009.