Herbs & Botanicals · Herbs · Amazonian root and bark tonic, with no human trial of muira puama on its own

Muira puama

Q: Does muira puama work for sexual desire or erections?

We cannot say. No trial tested muira puama alone. A women's formula of muira puama and ginkgo and a four-ingredient men's mix both gave higher scores in uncontrolled studies, but a placebo effect and the other ingredients could explain that. Reviews of erectile-dysfunction supplements did not name muira puama in their abstracts.

Q: What does the human research actually show?

A handful of human studies exist, all of mixes: women's low sex drive (202 women, uncontrolled), men's erections (54 men, uncontrolled, 16 finished), prostate urinary symptoms (59 men, no control group) a 28-day safety study of Catuama, and a skin-cream study. The older French studies often quoted online were not found in PubMed.

Q: Is muira puama safe?

Not enough is known. Short studies of mixes found no serious problems, with mild indigestion, heartburn or migraine in 5 of 54 men, but muira puama alone has not been tested. A 2020 review found only animal side-effect reports.

Q: Does muira puama raise or lower blood pressure or heart rate?

Unknown. We found no human blood-pressure or heart-rate result. A 28-day safety study of a four-herb mix did not report either. A rabbit-heart study of the mix slowed conduction inside the ventricle, and the authors blamed catuaba. Ask a doctor if you have a heart or blood-pressure condition.

Q: Does it change hormones like testosterone or estrogen?

Not shown. A computer model predicted that eight muira puama chemicals could bind estrogen receptors, but nobody has tested that in cells or people. No testosterone study was found. In stressed mice it prevented a rise in the stress hormone corticosterone.

Q: Can muira puama harm the liver?

We found no confirmed case. A 2026 report of bile-duct disease blamed about 15 supplements, one listed as 'tribulus muira puama'. A 28-day study of a four-herb mix reported no blood-test changes, though liver tests are not named. No LiverTox entry was found.

Q: Is muira puama safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

We found no data, so it is best avoided unless a clinician agrees. We found no LactMed entry. It is also not studied in children.

Q: Can it interact with my medicines?

No interaction study exists. Possible concerns, based on lab or animal work only, are erectile-dysfunction drugs and nitrates, heart and blood-pressure medicines, brain-active drugs, memory drugs, diabetes medicines and hormone treatments. A review adds that taking several herbal products together is common and interactions are the main risk.

Q: Can muira puama help with memory, mood or stress?

Only mouse and rat work exists. An extract blocked a memory-related enzyme and protected brain cells, and reduced depression-like behaviour and stress effects in mice. Other mouse tests showed memory impairment and an anxiety-like effect. Nothing is known in people.

Q: Do the studies mean muira puama itself works?

No. In the lab work on penile muscle cells, the four-part mix worked better than any single ingredient. A rabbit-tissue study found guarana was the most active of four herbs in Catuama. Company-linked authors were behind the men's pilot.

Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth. (a second species, P. uncinatum, is also sold) · also called Muira puama, muirapuama, marapuama, bois bande (French)

Muira puama is a small Amazonian tree whose root and bark are made into alcohol infusions and sold as a nerve tonic and aphrodisiac. Human studies tested only mixes, and the best-known results are small, uncontrolled studies of sexual desire and erection scores. Work on memory, mood and stress is in mice. Safety data are thin, and it is not known how it affects blood pressure, heart rate, hormones, the liver or pregnancy.

General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update October 25, 2026 · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made

About Muira puama

Muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) is an Amazonian tree whose root and bark are used as a tonic and aphrodisiac. Human studies tested only mixes, and the results come from small, uncontrolled studies. Animal work covers memory, mood and stress. Safety information is thin.

What it is

Muira puama is a tree of the Amazon in the family Olacaceae. The root and bark are the parts used, traditionally as an alcohol infusion. A second species, Ptychopetalum uncinatum, is also sold under the same name.

In the bark, alkaloids (magnoflorine and menisperine) were the main compounds one study measured. Marketing often names lupeol and muirapuamine; we could not confirm either in the sources we read.

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Traditional and current uses

In Amazonian communities it is used as a nerve tonic, for low energy, sexual weakness and age-related complaints. Today it is an ingredient in sexual-health and energy products and in a Brazilian liquid called Catuama.

One thing to know: the name marapuama can refer to a different plant in north-east Brazil. We could not verify this, so check product labels for the Latin name.

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What the research shows

No trial tested muira puama alone. A 2000 study gave 202 women a muira puama and ginkgo formula, and about two in three scored higher after a month, with no placebo group. A 2018 pilot of a four-ingredient mix found higher erection scores in the men who stayed, but only 16 of 54 finished. Reviews of erectile-dysfunction supplements did not name muira puama in their abstracts.

Mouse studies suggest effects on memory, mood, stress and anxiety, but results are mixed and none has been tested in people. The 1990s French studies often quoted online were not found in PubMed and were not read.

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At a glance

Traditional uses history, not proof

Nerve tonic and for low energy or motivation in Amazonian communities
Sexual weakness and as an aphrodisiac
Age-related complaints and recovery after stroke (as described in research papers)

Studied for research

Women's sexual desire (muira puama plus ginkgo, uncontrolled), very low
Erectile function (four-ingredient mix, uncontrolled pilot), very low
Urinary symptoms of enlarged prostate (five-ingredient product), very low
Dark circles under the eyes (three-plant skin product), very low
Memory, mood, stress, anxiety and nerve protection: mouse or lab work only

Main compounds

Alkaloids (magnoflorine and menisperine were the main ones measured in the bark)
Flavonoids such as luteolin and phenolic acids in small amounts
Plant sterols and volatile-oil terpenes (second-hand from a review)
Lupeol and muirapuamine are named in marketing; not confirmed in the sources read

Common forms

Root or bark infused in alcohol
Capsules and tablets, often in blends
Liquid mixes such as Catuama
Skin serums (cosmetic)

Research links: Review: Herbal sexual enhancers, psychiatric and neurological adverse effects (2020) · Study: Herbal vX in women with low sex drive (2000) · Study: Revactin pilot in men with erectile dysfunction (2018) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library

The plant and its history

Accepted scientific name: Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth.
Naming authority: ACCEPTED in the GBIF backbone (key 3685538; published in Hook. Lond. J. Bot. 2: 377, 1843); an active species in NCBI Taxonomy (taxid 597401). A second accepted species, Ptychopetalum uncinatum Anselmino (GBIF 3685517; NCBI 3871754), is also sold as muira puama.
Synonyms: Acanthea virilis Rebourgeon (the only GBIF synonym)
Common names: muira puama (Portuguese, English); muirapuama (Portuguese); marapuama (Portuguese, Swedish); bois bande (French); potency wood (English (trade name; not verified in GBIF))
Botanical family: Olacaceae (GBIF; the 2020 review agrees).
Classification: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Santalales > Olacaceae > Ptychopetalum > Ptychopetalum olacoides
Native range: Amazon region, Brazil (the 2020 review describes it as an Amazonian tree). Exact range not verified.
Habitat: Not verified in the sources read.
What the plant looks like: Roots: Roots and bark are the parts used (2020 review).; Stems: Described as a tree (2020 review); details not verified.; Leaves: Not verified.; Flowers: Not verified.; Fruit: Not relevant to medicinal use.
Cultivation: Not verified.
Harvest and processing: Not verified; traditional roots are made into alcohol infusions (2020 review).
Look-alikes and adulterants: Name: Ptychopetalum uncinatum Anselmino; Note: A second accepted species also sold as muira puama; the docking study groups both.; Name: Croton echioides ('Northeastern Marapuama'); Note: A different plant sharing the local name; NOT verified, taken from a reference title in the 2020 review.
Sustainability and conservation: Not assessed in the sources read.

Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof

Tradition or era	Documented use	Source
Indigenous and Amazonian traditional medicine, Brazil	Root and bark infusions in alcohol used as a 'nerve tonic', for depression, sexual weakness and age-related complaints; also in other formulations such as pills and mixed extracts.	p33066617
Amazon communities (research papers, 2002-2004)	Used by older people and after stroke; the mouse studies were designed around these uses.	p15302233
Modern supplement industry	Ingredient in sexual-health and energy products and in the Brazilian liquid Catuama; the 2000 review of herbs for performance lists it.	p10919969

Traditional use shows how a plant was used. It does not show that a supplement works or is safe today.

What is inside, and how it may work

What the plant contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.

Main compounds

Compound	Family	Where it is concentrated	Activity studied	Level of evidence
Magnoflorine PubChem 73337	aporphine alkaloid	Bark (main measured compound) With menisperine, about 76% of compounds measured (one study)	Not tested alone in the sources read. ^{27 15}	Laboratory research
Menisperine PubChem 30358	alkaloid	Bark See magnoflorine	Not tested alone in the sources read. ^{27 15}	Laboratory research
Luteolin and methoxy-luteolins PubChem 5280445	flavonoid	Bark (minor) Phenolic components 1.04 mg/g or less	Not tested in the sources read. ^{27 15}	Laboratory research
Caffeic acid PubChem 689043	phenolic acid	Bark (minor) Small	Not tested in the sources read. ^{27 15}	Laboratory research
Ferulic acid PubChem 445858	phenolic acid	Bark (minor) Small	Not tested in the sources read. ^{27 15}	Laboratory research
Beta-sitosterol PubChem 222284	plant sterol	Root bark (small amount, per the 2020 review)	Not tested in the sources read. ^{2 15}	Laboratory research
Camphor PubChem 2537	terpene	Root bark volatile oil (per the 2020 review)	Not tested in the sources read. ^{2 15}	Laboratory research
Alpha-pinene, beta-pinene and beta-caryophyllene PubChem 6654	terpenes in volatile oil	Root bark volatile oil (per the 2020 review)	Not tested in the sources read. CID shown is alpha-pinene; beta-caryophyllene 5281515. ^{2 15}	Laboratory research
Lupeol PubChem 259846	triterpene	NOT verified: no source we read links lupeol to muira puama	Often named in product marketing; not confirmed here. ^{15 27}	Laboratory research
Muirapuamine	alkaloid (claimed)	NOT verified: not found in the sources read, no PubChem entry looked up	Claimed in marketing; not confirmed here. ²⁷	Laboratory research

Mechanisms, receptors and pathways

Target or pathway	Gene or receptor	What was found	Level
Acetylcholinesterase inhibition	ACHE	Ethanol root extract blocked the enzyme in rat brain tissue and, by mouth, in mouse hippocampus, striatum and frontal cortex. ^{24 8}	Animal research
Catecholamine and D1/beta-adrenergic pathways (mood)	DRD1; adrenergic beta receptors	Antidepressant-like effect in mice was blocked by drugs that deplete catecholamines or block D1 and beta-adrenergic receptors; serotonin depletion had no effect. ²⁰	Animal research
Stress axis (corticosterone)	HPA axis	Extract prevented a stress-induced rise in corticosterone in mice. ^{19 21}	Animal research
Nerve-cell survival and amyloid	Amyloid-beta; GFAP	Extract improved survival of rat brain slices starved of oxygen and sugar and reduced amyloid deposits and astrogliosis in mice. ^{25 9}	Animal research
Nitric oxide / cGMP / PDE5 (as part of a four-ingredient mix)	NOS2 (iNOS); PDE5A	The mix raised iNOS and cGMP and lowered PDE5 in rat and human penile muscle cells; muira puama alone did less than the mix. ^{6 7}	Laboratory research
Relaxation of penile tissue	cGMP/cAMP signalling	Muira puama extract relaxed rabbit penile tissue, partly through the cGMP enzyme; guarana was the most active of the four herbs. ¹	Laboratory research
Estrogen receptor binding (prediction)	ESR1; ESR2	Eight muira puama chemicals were predicted to dock strongly with the estrogen receptors. Not tested in the lab or in people. ²³	In silico

Absorption, metabolism and elimination

Absorption: Not studied in people. In mice, oral extract reached brain enzyme targets, so some active compounds are absorbed in animals.
Distribution: Brain effects after oral dosing in mice only.
Metabolism: Not studied. No data on liver enzymes.
Elimination: Not studied.
Bioavailability: Unknown in people.

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Isolated compounds versus whole extracts

The compounds behind the animal findings are not identified. The 2018 chemistry study found alkaloids dominant in the bark, whereas marketing often mentions lupeol and muirapuamine, which we could not confirm. All the penile-tissue pathway results come from mixes in which muira puama alone did less than the combination.

Nutritional composition

Muira puama is used as a herb, not as a source of nutrients. No nutrient values were read.

11benefits and uses looked at

29studies and sources checked

Very low certaintybest evidence rating found

7lab markers tracked in trials

4 very low certainty7 not enough evidence

What is Muira puama good for?

The main proposed uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. 'Insufficient' means no human trial of muira puama was found. Rows that mention a mix describe products with several ingredients, not muira puama alone.

Sexual desire in women (a muira puama and ginkgo formula, not muira puama alone)Very low certaintyOne study gave 202 women with low sex drive a muira puama and ginkgo formula for a month. About two in three scored higher afterwards. There was no placebo group and we found no follow-up double-blind trial. Erectile function in men (mixed products; none tested muira puama alone)Very low certaintyA 3-month pilot of a four-ingredient mix found higher erection scores in men who stayed, but only 16 of 54 finished and there was no comparison group. Three reviews of erectile-dysfunction supplements did not name muira puama in their abstracts. Memory and thinking (animal and lab work only)Not enough evidenceIn rodents, an extract blocked an enzyme tied to memory and reduced memory loss in an Alzheimer-type mouse model. In other mouse tests memory was impaired. No human trial was found. Low mood (mouse findings only)Not enough evidenceMice given an extract moved more in tests used as a sign of depression and had a smaller stress-hormone rise. No human trial was found. Stress resilience (mouse findings only)Not enough evidenceIn mice under weeks of mild stress, an extract prevented anxiety-like behaviour and high blood sugar. No human trial was found. Anxiety (animal results point in opposite directions)Not enough evidenceOne mouse study read the extract as anxiety-causing and another found it prevented stress-induced anxiety. Nothing is known in people. Protection of nerve cells (lab and animal work only)Not enough evidenceRat brain slices starved of oxygen and sugar survived better with an extract, and mouse brain cells were protected in an Alzheimer-type model. Not tested in people. Urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate (five-ingredient product)Very low certaintyA 2026 study of 59 men used a product with muira puama, ginkgo and three other ingredients next to standard care. The abstract says symptoms improved but gives no numbers and there was no comparison group. Pain (mouse findings, second-hand)Not enough evidenceA review says an extract reduced pain responses in mice. We did not read the original paper, and no human trial was found. Dark circles under the eyes (a three-plant skin product, not swallowed)Very low certaintyA small, uncontrolled study of 21 volunteers put a serum with muira puama, Pfaffia and Lilium around the eyes for 28 days. About 90% had measured brightening. It says nothing about swallowing muira puama. Stamina and exercise performanceNot enough evidenceMuira puama appears on a list of herbs used by athletes, but we found no trial testing it.

Benefits, one by one

Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.

Sexual desire in women (a muira puama and ginkgo formula, not muira puama alone)

Very low certainty

One uncontrolled study gave 202 women with low sex drive a formula of muira puama and ginkgo for a month. About two in three scored higher afterwards. There was no placebo group, and no trial tested muira puama alone.

2 studiesCapsule formula of muira puama and ginkgo; amounts not given in the a…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Waynberg and Brewer 2000: 202 healthy women with low sex drive took Herbal vX (muira puama plus ginkgo) for 1 month. Total self-rated scores were higher than baseline in 65%, with gains in desire, fantasies, intercourse frequency, satisfaction and orgasm. The abstract gives no numbers or p-values and the authors planned a double-blind study (we found no such trial).

Results

Positive but uncontrolled. Two-thirds of women rated themselves better after one month; a placebo effect cannot be ruled out.

Effect sizes as reported

65% of women had higher total scores than at the start (no p-value in the abstract).

Why this rating

Single before-and-after study, no placebo group, two-ingredient formula, self-report only, 1 month.

Form and dose studied

Capsule formula of muira puama and ginkgo; amounts not given in the abstract.

Who was studied

Healthy women with low sex drive (premenopausal and postmenopausal both included).

Limits

No control group; ginkgo is a second active ingredient; follow-up 1 month; product maker link not checked.

Why researchers looked

Muira puama is sold as an aphrodisiac, and it was put into a women's formula to test that reputation.

Traditional use

Alcohol infusions of the root and bark are used in the Brazilian Amazon as a 'nerve tonic' and for sexual weakness (Brunetti 2020 review; Siqueira 2003).

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Not shown in women. Ideas about dopamine pathways come from mouse tests of mood, not from sexual studies.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Tolerability was reported as good; no details in the abstract.

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Erectile function in men (mixed products; none tested muira puama alone)

Very low certainty

A 3-month pilot of a four-ingredient mix (ginger, guarana, muira puama and L-citrulline) found higher erection scores in about half of the men who stayed, but only 16 of 54 finished and there was no comparison group. Reviews of erectile-dysfunction supplements do not list muira puama among ingredients with trial support.

8 studiesFour-ingredient capsule; muira puama's own amount is not separated.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Nguyen 2018: 54 men with erectile dysfunction took Revactin (ginger, muira puama, guarana, plus L-citrulline) twice daily with no control group. In those who stayed (32, 22, 16 at months 1-3), median erectile-function scores were higher than at baseline (month 1: 21 vs 16, P<0.05); about 50% reported a significant improvement. Most dropouts were men unwilling to stop their erectile-dysfunction medicines. Three reviews (2020 to 2023) of supplements for erectile dysfunction did not name muira puama in their abstracts; the 2023 meta-analysis found ginseng, tribulus and L-arginine improved function. Whether the full texts say more was not checked. The 1990s French studies of muira puama and similar mixes that are quoted online were not found in PubMed and were not read.

Results

No trial of muira puama alone. In one uncontrolled pilot of a four-ingredient mix, erection scores rose in men who stayed in.

Effect sizes as reported

Erectile-function median 21 at month 1 vs 16 at baseline (P<0.05); 16 of 54 men reached month 3.

Why this rating

Pilot with no control group, a product mix, high dropout, and company-linked authors. Reviews found no muira puama trial support.

Form and dose studied

Four-ingredient capsule; muira puama's own amount is not separated.

Who was studied

Middle-aged men with erectile dysfunction.

Limits

Mix; no placebo; large dropout; a patent-holding author; men told to stop other treatments.

Why researchers looked

Muira puama is a common ingredient in men's sexual-health products.

Traditional use

Alcohol infusions of the root and bark are used in the Brazilian Amazon as a 'nerve tonic' and for sexual weakness (Brunetti 2020 review; Siqueira 2003).

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Lab work on rat and human penile muscle cells shows the four-part mix raising nitric oxide and cGMP and lowering PDE5. The mix worked better than any single ingredient, so the effect cannot be given to muira puama. Rabbit tissue studies found muira puama extract relaxed penile tissue, with guarana the most active of four herbs.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Only 5 of 54 men reported side effects (indigestion, heartburn, migraine); none severe.

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Memory and thinking (animal and lab work only)

Not enough evidence

In rodents, a muira puama root extract blocked an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine and reduced memory loss in an Alzheimer-type mouse model. No human trial was found. Another animal review lists memory impairment as a side effect in some mouse tests, so the animal findings point both ways.

4 studiesEthanol root extracts in animals; amounts differ from supplements.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial of muira puama was found for this use. Animal studies: Siqueira 2003 (extract blocked the enzyme in rat brain tissue and aged mice); Figueiro 2010 (oral dosing blocked it in mouse hippocampus, striatum and frontal cortex); Figueiro 2011 (800 mg/kg by mouth for 14 days prevented amyloid-related memory loss in mice). A 2020 review also lists impaired short- and long-term memory in mice from muira puama extracts.

Results

Animal only. Positive in Alzheimer-model mice, negative in some other mouse tests.

Effect sizes as reported

No human numbers. Mouse brain enzyme blocked by up to about 33% (CA1 area).

Why this rating

No human trials; animal results conflict.

Form and dose studied

Ethanol root extracts in animals; amounts differ from supplements.

Who was studied

Mice and rats.

Limits

Animal data; high doses; no human safety or benefit data.

Why researchers looked

Amazonian communities use root infusions for age-related complaints.

Traditional use

Alcohol infusions of the root and bark are used in the Brazilian Amazon as a 'nerve tonic' and for sexual weakness (Brunetti 2020 review; Siqueira 2003).

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Blocks acetylcholinesterase in rat and mouse brain, including after oral dosing, and reduced amyloid deposits in mice.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Memory impairment was reported in some mouse tests.

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Low mood (mouse findings only)

Not enough evidence

In mice, a muira puama root extract reduced behaviour that scientists use as a sign of depression, and prevented a stress-hormone rise. No human trial was found.

2 studiesEthanol root extract in animals.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial of muira puama was found for this use. Piato 2009 (mice; effect similar across injected and oral doses) and Piato 2008 (6-week stress model; the extract prevented coat damage, lower grooming and a rise in corticosterone, like imipramine).

Results

Animal only; consistent in mice.

Effect sizes as reported

Mouse tests only; no human effect sizes.

Why this rating

Only mouse behaviour tests.

Form and dose studied

Ethanol root extract in animals.

Who was studied

Mice.

Limits

Mouse tests are weak models of human depression; one research group.

Why researchers looked

Root infusions are traditionally used for lassitude and low motivation.

Traditional use

Alcohol infusions of the root and bark are used in the Brazilian Amazon as a 'nerve tonic' and for sexual weakness (Brunetti 2020 review; Siqueira 2003).

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

The antidepressant-like effect in mice depended on noradrenaline and dopamine (D1) pathways, not serotonin.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No human data.

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Stress resilience (mouse findings only)

Not enough evidence

In mice, a muira puama extract prevented anxiety-like behaviour and a blood-sugar rise caused by weeks of mild stress. The authors call it 'adaptogen-like'. No human trial was found.

2 studiesEthanol root extract in animals.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial of muira puama was found for this use. Piato 2010: in mice under chronic mild stress the extract prevented stress-induced anxiety and high blood sugar and lengthened time to oxygen-lack convulsions; it did not change blood sugar in unstressed mice.

Results

Animal only.

Effect sizes as reported

Time to convulsion up by 27% to 59% across doses (mice).

Why this rating

Animal study from one group.

Form and dose studied

Ethanol root extract in animals.

Who was studied

Mice.

Limits

Mice only.

Why researchers looked

Used traditionally for stressful periods.

Traditional use

Alcohol infusions of the root and bark are used in the Brazilian Amazon as a 'nerve tonic' and for sexual weakness (Brunetti 2020 review; Siqueira 2003).

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Prevented the stress-induced rise in corticosterone and blood sugar in mice.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No human data.

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Anxiety (animal results point in opposite directions)

Not enough evidence

One mouse study found a muira puama extract reduced exploring in a way the authors compared to an anxiety-causing drug. Another found it prevented stress-induced anxiety. Effects in people are unknown.

2 studiesEthanol root extract in animals.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial of muira puama was found for this use. da Silva 2002: 30 to 300 mg/kg reduced exploring without affecting movement, compared by the authors to pentylenetetrazol (anxiogenic). Piato 2010: no anxiety-lowering effect by itself, but it prevented stress-induced anxiety.

Results

Mixed animal findings.

Effect sizes as reported

No human numbers.

Why this rating

Two mouse studies disagree; no human data.

Form and dose studied

Ethanol root extract in animals.

Who was studied

Mice.

Limits

Mixed findings; mouse tests only.

Why researchers looked

Sold as a stimulating tonic, so its effect on anxiety matters for safety as well as benefit.

Traditional use

Alcohol infusions of the root and bark are used in the Brazilian Amazon as a 'nerve tonic' and for sexual weakness (Brunetti 2020 review; Siqueira 2003).

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Unclear; opposite mouse findings.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

If the anxiety-causing signal is real in people, anxious people might feel worse; this is not shown.

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Protection of nerve cells (lab and animal work only)

Not enough evidence

A muira puama extract improved survival and reduced free-radical build-up in rat brain slices starved of oxygen and sugar, and protected mouse brain cells in an Alzheimer-type model. No human trial was found.

2 studiesEthanol extract.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial of muira puama was found for this use. Siqueira 2004 (rat brain slices, 0.6 micrograms/mL) and Figueiro 2011 (mice).

Results

Lab and animal only.

Effect sizes as reported

Brain-slice viability higher than untreated slices (no figures in the abstract); amyloid deposits reduced in mice.

Why this rating

Lab and animal studies only.

Form and dose studied

Ethanol extract.

Who was studied

Rat tissue and mice.

Limits

Not tested in people.

Why researchers looked

Root infusions are used by older people and after stroke in Amazonian communities.

Traditional use

Traditional use reported in the 2004 study: older-age symptoms and recovery after stroke.

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Lower free radicals and better cell energy in brain slices; fewer amyloid deposits in mice.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No human data.

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Urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate (five-ingredient product)

Very low certainty

A 2026 non-randomised study of 59 men used a product containing muira puama, ginkgo, Epilobium, horsetail and citrulline alongside standard care. The abstract says symptoms and urine flow improved but gives no numbers. Muira puama's own role is unknown.

1 studiesCapsule or sachet product; amounts not stated in the abstract.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Chiavaroli 2026: retrospective multicentre study of 59 men aged 50-75: 27 took the product alone and 32 with an alpha-blocker, a PDE5 inhibitor or a 5-ARI. Results: improved symptoms and urine flow (no numbers in the abstract).

Results

Reported improvement; no control group, doctor-chosen treatment.

Effect sizes as reported

No numbers given in the abstract.

Why this rating

Retrospective, non-randomised, mixed product, no figures in the abstract.

Form and dose studied

Capsule or sachet product; amounts not stated in the abstract.

Who was studied

Men aged 50-75 with moderate to severe urinary symptoms and mild erectile dysfunction.

Limits

No control group; most men also took standard medicines; authors' product links not stated.

Why researchers looked

Muira puama is a component of a prostate-health supplement.

Traditional use

Not a traditional prostate remedy as far as the sources we read say.

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

In mouse prostate tissue, the formula blunted rises in inflammation and stress genes caused by a bacterial toxin.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Tolerability was assessed; no safety details in the abstract.

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Pain (mouse findings, second-hand)

Not enough evidence

A 2020 review says a muira puama extract reduced pain responses in mice in heat and chemical tests, with the best effect about 6 hours after a low dose. We did not read the original mouse paper. No human trial was found.

1 studiesMouse extract.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial of muira puama was found for this use. The review (Brunetti 2020) reports the mouse result and says higher doses over 15 days did not worsen side effects.

Results

Animal only, taken from a review.

Effect sizes as reported

No figures.

Why this rating

Second-hand animal data.

Form and dose studied

Mouse extract.

Who was studied

Mice.

Limits

Original paper not read.

Why researchers looked

Root preparations are used as a general tonic; pain relief is not a main traditional claim in the sources read.

Traditional use

Not covered in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Not clear.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No human data.

Dark circles under the eyes (a three-plant skin product, not swallowed)

Very low certainty

A small study of 21 volunteers used a cream-like serum with muira puama, Pfaffia and Lilium on the skin around the eyes. Skin brightness improved in about 90%. This is a cosmetic product, not a supplement.

1 studies5% serum on the skin.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Eberlin 2009: 21 volunteers used a 5% serum twice a day for 28 days. Skin luminance and tone improved in about 90% of volunteers and they reported fewer visible dark circles.

Results

Positive but uncontrolled; three-plant product.

Effect sizes as reported

About 90% showed measured improvement (no p-values in the abstract).

Why this rating

Only 21 people, no placebo group, a product with three plants.

Form and dose studied

5% serum on the skin.

Who was studied

Adults with dark circles.

Limits

Uncontrolled; cosmetic; not about swallowed muira puama.

Why researchers looked

Used in cosmetic products for its supposed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Traditional use

Not traditional.

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

In skin cultures the compound lowered inflammatory chemicals (PGE2, LTB4, histamine) and raised an antioxidant enzyme.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Tolerability not detailed in the abstract.

⁵

Stamina and exercise performance

Not enough evidence

Muira puama is on a list of herbs used for sports performance, but we found no trial testing it.

1 studiesNot applicable.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial of muira puama was found for this use. A 2000 review of herbs and exercise listed muira puama among herbs used for performance and said herbs other than Asian ginsengs remain virtually untested.

Results

No trials.

Effect sizes as reported

None.

Why this rating

No human trials.

Form and dose studied

Not applicable.

Who was studied

Not applicable.

Limits

Review is old (2000).

Why researchers looked

Marketed as a stimulating tonic.

Traditional use

Alcohol infusions of the root and bark are used in the Brazilian Amazon as a 'nerve tonic' and for sexual weakness (Brunetti 2020 review; Siqueira 2003).

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

None shown.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No data.

Connections to the rest of health

How Muira puama connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.

Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes

Kind of connection Connected to Search

A. Wellness goals

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Libido support	Potential benefit	Not enough evidence	Uncontrolled women's study and an uncontrolled men's pilot; nothing for muira puama alone. Sexual desire in women (a muira puama and ginkgo formula, not muira puama alone): One uncontrolled study gave 202 women with low sex drive a formula of muira puama and ginkgo for a month. About two in three scored higher afterwards. There was no placebo group, and no trial tested muira puama alone. Preparation or compound: Muira puama plus ginkgo or other mixes	^{28 16 2 6 7 1 26 18 12}
Memory support	Potential benefit	Not enough evidence	Mouse and rat findings only; some mouse studies show memory impairment. Preparation or compound: Ethanol root extract (animal)	^{24 9 2}
Blood pressure	Drug or supplement interaction	Not enough evidence	No human blood-pressure data for muira puama. Preparation or compound: Catuama mix (rabbit hearts)	^{22 17}
Womens Wellness	Potential benefit	Very low certainty	Sexual desire in women (a muira puama and ginkgo formula, not muira puama alone): One uncontrolled study gave 202 women with low sex drive a formula of muira puama and ginkgo for a month. About two in three scored higher afterwards. There was no placebo group, and no trial tested muira puama alone.	^{28 2}
Mens Vitality	Potential benefit	Very low certainty	Erectile function in men (mixed products; none tested muira puama alone): A 3-month pilot of a four-ingredient mix (ginger, guarana, muira puama and L-citrulline) found higher erection scores in about half of the men who stayed, but only 16 of 54 finished and there was no comparison group. Reviews of erectile-dysfunction supplements do not list muira puama among ingredients with trial support. Urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate (five-ingredient product): A 2026 non-randomised study of 59 men used a product containing muira puama, ginkgo, Epilobium, horsetail and citrulline alongside standard care. The abstract says symptoms and urine flow improved but gives no numbers. Muira puama's own role is unknown.	^{16 6 7 1 26 18 12 2 4}
Memory Support		Not enough evidence	Memory and thinking (animal and lab work only): In rodents, a muira puama root extract blocked an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine and reduced memory loss in an Alzheimer-type mouse model. No human trial was found. Another animal review lists memory impairment as a side effect in some mouse tests, so the animal findings point both ways.	^{24 8 9 2}
Brain Health		Not enough evidence	Memory and thinking (animal and lab work only): In rodents, a muira puama root extract blocked an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine and reduced memory loss in an Alzheimer-type mouse model. No human trial was found. Another animal review lists memory impairment as a side effect in some mouse tests, so the animal findings point both ways. Protection of nerve cells (lab and animal work only): A muira puama extract improved survival and reduced free-radical build-up in rat brain slices starved of oxygen and sugar, and protected mouse brain cells in an Alzheimer-type model. No human trial was found.	^{24 8 9 2 25}
Mood Balance		Not enough evidence	Low mood (mouse findings only): In mice, a muira puama root extract reduced behaviour that scientists use as a sign of depression, and prevented a stress-hormone rise. No human trial was found.	^{20 19}
Stress Reduction		Not enough evidence	Low mood (mouse findings only): In mice, a muira puama root extract reduced behaviour that scientists use as a sign of depression, and prevented a stress-hormone rise. No human trial was found. Stress resilience (mouse findings only): In mice, a muira puama extract prevented anxiety-like behaviour and a blood-sugar rise caused by weeks of mild stress. The authors call it 'adaptogen-like'. No human trial was found.	^{20 19 21}
Resilience Support		Not enough evidence	Stress resilience (mouse findings only): In mice, a muira puama extract prevented anxiety-like behaviour and a blood-sugar rise caused by weeks of mild stress. The authors call it 'adaptogen-like'. No human trial was found.	^{21 19}
Anxiety Support		Not enough evidence	Anxiety (animal results point in opposite directions): One mouse study found a muira puama extract reduced exploring in a way the authors compared to an anxiety-causing drug. Another found it prevented stress-induced anxiety. Effects in people are unknown.	^{29 21}
Calm Relaxation		Not enough evidence	Anxiety (animal results point in opposite directions): One mouse study found a muira puama extract reduced exploring in a way the authors compared to an anxiety-causing drug. Another found it prevented stress-induced anxiety. Effects in people are unknown.	^{29 21}
Cellular Protection		Not enough evidence	Protection of nerve cells (lab and animal work only): A muira puama extract improved survival and reduced free-radical build-up in rat brain slices starved of oxygen and sugar, and protected mouse brain cells in an Alzheimer-type model. No human trial was found.	^{25 9}
Joint Support		Not enough evidence	Pain (mouse findings, second-hand): A 2020 review says a muira puama extract reduced pain responses in mice in heat and chemical tests, with the best effect about 6 hours after a low dose. We did not read the original mouse paper. No human trial was found.	²
Healthy Skin	Potential benefit	Very low certainty	Dark circles under the eyes (a three-plant skin product, not swallowed): A small study of 21 volunteers used a cream-like serum with muira puama, Pfaffia and Lilium on the skin around the eyes. Skin brightness improved in about 90%. This is a cosmetic product, not a supplement.	⁵
Physical Stamina	Potential benefit	Not enough evidence	Stamina and exercise performance: Muira puama is on a list of herbs used for sports performance, but we found no trial testing it.	³
Endurance Support	Potential benefit	Not enough evidence	Stamina and exercise performance: Muira puama is on a list of herbs used for sports performance, but we found no trial testing it.	³

B. Body systems

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Reproductive System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Sexual desire in women (a muira puama and ginkgo formula, not muira puama alone) Studied for: Erectile function in men (mixed products; none tested muira puama alone)	^{28 2 16 6 7 1 26 18 12 4}
Nervous System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Memory and thinking (animal and lab work only) Studied for: Low mood (mouse findings only)	^{24 8 9 2 20 19 29 21 25}
Stress Mood	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Low mood (mouse findings only) Studied for: Stress resilience (mouse findings only)	^{20 19 21 29}
Urinary System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate (five-ingredient product)	⁴
Integumentary System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Dark circles under the eyes (a three-plant skin product, not swallowed)	⁵
Musculoskeletal System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Stamina and exercise performance	³

I. Biomarkers

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁶
Women's sexual desire and satisfaction questionnaire (total score)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	²⁸
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the brain	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{8 24}
Stress hormone (corticosterone) and blood glucose in stressed mice	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{19 21}
Urinary symptom score (IPSS) and peak urine flow (Qmax)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	⁴
Nitric oxide, cGMP and PDE5 in penile muscle cells	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{6 7 1}
Skin luminance and tone (ITA and L*)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	⁵

J. Genes, receptors and enzymes

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
ACHE (acetylcholinesterase)	Preliminary mechanism	Animal	Blocked by ethanol root extract in rat and mouse brain.	^{24 8}
NOS2 (iNOS) and PDE5A	Preliminary mechanism	In vitro	Raised and lowered, respectively, by a four-ingredient mix in rat and human penile muscle cells.	^{6 7}
ESR1 / ESR2 (estrogen receptors)	Preliminary mechanism	In silico	Predicted binding by computer; untested.	²³

K. Biological pathways

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Nitric oxide - cGMP pathway	Preliminary mechanism	In vitro	Activated by the mix in cells.	^{6 7 1}

L. Active compounds

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Magnoflorine	Biological association	In vitro	Not tested alone in the sources read. Preparation or compound: Bark (main measured compound)	^{27 15}
Menisperine	Biological association	In vitro	Not tested alone in the sources read. Preparation or compound: Bark	^{27 15}
Luteolin and methoxy-luteolins	Biological association	In vitro	Not tested in the sources read. Preparation or compound: Bark (minor)	^{27 15}
Caffeic acid	Biological association	In vitro	Not tested in the sources read. Preparation or compound: Bark (minor)	^{27 15}
Ferulic acid	Biological association	In vitro	Not tested in the sources read. Preparation or compound: Bark (minor)	^{27 15}
Beta-sitosterol	Biological association	In vitro	Not tested in the sources read. Preparation or compound: Root bark (small amount, per the 2020 review)	^{2 15}
Camphor	Biological association	In vitro	Not tested in the sources read. Preparation or compound: Root bark volatile oil (per the 2020 review)	^{2 15}
Alpha-pinene, beta-pinene and beta-caryophyllene	Biological association	In vitro	Not tested in the sources read. CID shown is alpha-pinene; beta-caryophyllene 5281515. Preparation or compound: Root bark volatile oil (per the 2020 review)	^{2 15}
Lupeol	Biological association	In vitro	Often named in product marketing; not confirmed here. Preparation or compound: NOT verified: no source we read links lupeol to muira puama	^{15 27}
Muirapuamine	Biological association	In vitro	Claimed in marketing; not confirmed here. Preparation or compound: NOT verified: not found in the sources read, no PubChem entry looked up	²⁷

Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).

Evidence at a glance: what changed in 7 lab markers

Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.

Other241

The evidence

The research centre for Muira puama. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.

Evidence by outcome

Sexual desire in women (a muira puama and ginkgo formula, not muira puama alone) 2 studies Very low certainty Erectile function in men (mixed products; none tested muira puama alone) 8 studies Very low certainty Memory and thinking (animal and lab work only) 4 studies Not enough evidence Low mood (mouse findings only) 2 studies Not enough evidence Stress resilience (mouse findings only) 2 studies Not enough evidence Anxiety (animal results point in opposite directions) 2 studies Not enough evidence Protection of nerve cells (lab and animal work only) 2 studies Not enough evidence Urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate (five-ingredient product) 1 studies Very low certainty Pain (mouse findings, second-hand) 1 studies Not enough evidence Dark circles under the eyes (a three-plant skin product, not swallowed) 1 studies Very low certainty Stamina and exercise performance 1 studies Not enough evidence

Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).

How we rate evidence

High certainty

Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.

Moderate certainty

Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.

Low certainty

Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.

Very low certainty

Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.

Mixed findings

Trials or reviews disagree with each other.

Not enough evidence

Not enough human research to say either way.

Evidence against

Good research found no benefit, or found harm.

We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing muira puama summary, searched PubMed, read the abstract of every PubMed study cited, read the muira puama sections of the 2020 herbal-aphrodisiac safety review, and checked plant names in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy and compounds in PubChem. Not verified: NCCIH returned page-not-found, the EMA could not be read, and no LiverTox or LactMed entry was found. Certainty ratings are the compiler's reading.

Study library: every study we checked 29

Design Research type Plant part Year from Search

Study	Design	People	Product, dose, length	Result
Antunes 2001 The relaxation of isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum by the herbal medicine Catuama and its constituents. Phytother Res · PMID 11507734 · DOI	Lab study on rabbit tissue in-vitro	Isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum (penile tissue)	Catuama and its four extracts including Ptychopetalum olacoides not stated in abstract Test-tube doses Minutes · vs Untreated tissue	Catuama relaxed the tissue in a dose-dependent way without involving nitric oxide. Muira puama extract also relaxed it, partly through the cGMP pathway. Guarana was the most active of the four. Tissue relaxation in a dish (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Relaxation of penile tissue; cAMP levels Limitations: Rabbit tissue; guarana was the main active part. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
Brunetti 2020 Pharmacology of Herbal Sexual Enhancers: A Review of Psychiatric and Neurological Adverse Effects. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) · PMID 33066617 · DOI	Narrative review human review	Herbal sexual enhancers (including muira puama) and their psychiatric and neurological side effects	Herbal sexual enhancers root and bark for muira puama Not applicable Not applicable · vs Not applicable	For muira puama only animal reports of side effects were found (reduced movement; impaired short- and long-term memory in mice). The authors say drug interactions are the biggest health risk with herbal aphrodisiacs, that these products are often taken with other drugs and supplements, and that retail products may be mislabelled or contaminated (for example heavy metals or drugs). Safety data for muira puama are animal-only (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Side effects of herbal sexual enhancers Limitations: Narrative, not systematic; muira puama is one of many herbs; relies on the original animal papers. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract and full text (muira puama sections)
Bucci 2000 Selected herbals and human exercise performance. Am J Clin Nutr · PMID 10919969 · DOI	Review human review	Herbs used to improve physical performance	Muira puama and other herbs Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable · vs Not applicable	Muira puama appears in a list of herbs used for physical performance. The review says herbs other than the Asian ginsengs remain virtually untested. No performance trial of muira puama (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Evidence for exercise performance Limitations: Review from 2000; the abstract does not discuss muira puama on its own. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
Chiavaroli 2026 Protective Effects Induced by a Novel Food Supplement Based on Epilobium angustifolium, Ptychopetalum olacoides, Ginkgo biloba, and Equisetum arvense Extracts and Citrulline in the Lower Urinary Tract: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence. Phytother Res · PMID 42680212 · DOI	Retrospective multicentre cohort plus mouse tissue lab study	59 Men aged 50-75 with moderate to severe urinary symptoms from benign prostate enlargement and mild erectile dysfunction	Oxyfil (extracts of Epilobium, muira puama, ginkgo and horsetail, plus citrulline) not stated in abstract Not stated in abstract Not stated in abstract · vs None; Oxyfil alone (27 men) or with a prostate medicine (32 men), chosen by the doctor	The abstract says symptom and urine-flow results improved, but gives no numbers. In mouse prostate tissue, the formula blunted the rise in inflammation and stress genes caused by a bacterial toxin. Reported improvement without numbers; no control group (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Urinary symptom score (IPSS), urine flow rate, inflammation markers in mouse prostate tissue Limitations: Not randomised; no comparison group; five-ingredient product; most men also took standard medicines; no numbers in the abstract; lab part was mouse tissue. Funding and conflicts: Authors and any product link not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Eberlin 2009 Effects of a Brazilian herbal compound as a cosmetic eyecare for periorbital hyperchromia ("dark circles"). J Cosmet Dermatol · PMID 19527337 · DOI	Uncontrolled clinical study plus lab tests	21 Volunteers with dark circles under the eyes	Serum with 5% of a compound of Pfaffia paniculata, muira puama and Lilium candidum, put on the skin not stated in abstract 5% serum, twice a day 28 days · vs None	Skin brightness and tone improved in about 90% of volunteers, and they reported fewer visible dark circles. In skin cultures the compound lowered inflammatory chemicals and raised an antioxidant enzyme. Cosmetic improvement with a three-plant skin product (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Skin colour and brightness around the eyes; self-rated appearance Limitations: Only 21 people; no placebo group; three-plant product used on the skin, so it says nothing about swallowing muira puama. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract (industry research likely; not verified). Read: abstract
Ferrini 2018 Effect of ginger, Paullinia cupana, muira puama and l- citrulline, singly or in combination, on modulation of the inducible nitric oxide- NO-cGMP pathway in rat penile smooth muscle cells. Nitric Oxide · PMID 29551532 · DOI	Lab study on rat cells in-vitro	Rat penile smooth-muscle cells	Ginger, Paullinia cupana, muira puama and L-citrulline, alone and combined (COMP-4) not stated in abstract Muira puama 0.9 mg/mL on cells Up to 24 hours · vs Untreated cells	The four-part mix raised cGMP by 85%, raised iNOS about 15-fold and lowered PDE5 (the target of sildenafil-type drugs) by about half. The mix had a stronger effect than any single ingredient. Pathway effects of the mix in rat cells (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: iNOS, cGMP and PDE5 levels Limitations: Cells; the effect belongs to the combination. Funding and conflicts: Authors are the group that developed the product; funding details not read. Read: abstract
Ferrini 2021 Activation of the iNOS/NO/cGMP pathway by Revactin® in human corporal smooth muscle cells. Transl Androl Urol · PMID 34430391 · DOI	Lab study on human cells in-vitro	Human corporal smooth-muscle cells	Revactin (ginger, guarana, muira puama, L-citrulline) not stated in abstract Not stated in abstract Up to 24 hours · vs Untreated cells	The product raised nitrite and cGMP and iNOS protein in human cells; a blocker of iNOS cancelled the effect. Pathway effect of the mix in human cells (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Nitrite, cGMP, iNOS Limitations: Cells; combination product. Funding and conflicts: Disclosure statement only partly read. Read: abstract
Figueiró 2010 Acetylcholinesterase inhibition in cognition-relevant brain areas of mice treated with a nootropic Amazonian herbal (Marapuama). Phytomedicine · PMID 20833520 · DOI	Animal study animal	Mice	Standardised ethanol extract of Ptychopetalum olacoides (POEE) not stated in abstract Not stated in abstract (given by mouth) Not stated · vs Control	By mouth, the extract blocked the enzyme in hippocampus, striatum and frontal cortex (for example about 33% in the CA1 area). Brain enzyme blocking after oral dosing in mice (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Acetylcholinesterase in brain regions Limitations: Mice only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
Figueiró 2011 The Amazonian herbal Marapuama attenuates cognitive impairment and neuroglial degeneration in a mouse Alzheimer model. Phytomedicine · PMID 20739160 · DOI	Animal study animal	Mice given amyloid peptide to mimic Alzheimer disease	Standardised ethanol extract of Ptychopetalum olacoides (POEE) not stated in abstract 800 mg/kg by mouth 14 days · vs Untreated mice	The extract prevented memory impairment and reduced amyloid deposits, astrogliosis and loss of cells in the hippocampus. Protection in a mouse Alzheimer model (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Memory tests; amyloid deposits; brain cell loss Limitations: Mice only; high dose; not shown in people. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
Global Biodiversity Information Facility 2026 GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth. (key 3685538) GBIF API (api.gbif.org/v1/species/3685538) · Source	Database record not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable · vs Not applicable	Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth. is ACCEPTED (exact match, confidence 99); family Olacaceae, order Santalales; published in Hook. Lond. J. Bot. 2: 377 (1843). One synonym listed: Acanthea virilis Rebourgeon. Vernacular names include muira-puama, muirapuama, marapuama, bois bande. Accepted name and family confirmed (Not applicable) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Accepted name, family, synonyms, common names Limitations: Database or web record, not a study. Funding and conflicts: Not applicable Read: API response read 2026-10-25
Global Biodiversity Information Facility 2026 GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Ptychopetalum uncinatum Anselmino (key 3685517) GBIF API (api.gbif.org/v1/species/match) · Source	Database record not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable · vs Not applicable	Ptychopetalum uncinatum Anselmino is ACCEPTED (exact match); family Olacaceae. Second species sold as muira puama. Second species confirmed as a separate accepted name (Not applicable) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Accepted name Limitations: Database or web record, not a study. Funding and conflicts: Not applicable Read: API response read 2026-10-25
Leisegang 2021 Alternative medicine and herbal remedies in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: A systematic review. Arab J Urol · PMID 34552783 · DOI	Systematic review human review	Placebo-controlled trials of herbal remedies for erectile dysfunction (42 articles)	Herbal and alternative treatments Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable · vs Not applicable	Panax ginseng, Pycnogenol, Prelox and Tribulus terrestris had promising evidence, along with L-arginine. The abstract does not name muira puama. Muira puama not among the herbs with promising evidence (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores Limitations: Only the abstract was read; muira puama is not named in it. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
Mendoza 2026 Vanished Without a Trace: A Middle-Aged Man With Vanishing Bile Duct Syndrome-A Case Report. Case Rep Gastrointest Med · PMID 42381645 · DOI	Case report	1 A 41-year-old man with vanishing bile duct syndrome and severe high blood fats	About 15 herbal supplements a day, one listed as "tribulus muira puama" not stated Not stated Not stated · vs None	The authors attributed the bile-duct disease to multiple herbal supplements in a man with very high cholesterol. Muira puama was only one item in a list of about 15 products. Liver signal for the whole supplement list; muira puama cannot be singled out (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Cause of bile-duct damage Limitations: One case; many products at once; no test showing which product caused it; "tribulus muira puama" may be a mixed product. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract and full-text product list
National Center for Biotechnology Information 2026 NCBI Taxonomy: Ptychopetalum olacoides (taxid 597401) and P. uncinatum (taxid 3871754) NCBI Taxonomy (E-utilities) · Source	Database record not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable · vs Not applicable	Both are active species-rank entries in the eudicots. Both species exist in NCBI Taxonomy (Not applicable) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Accepted names Limitations: Database or web record, not a study. Funding and conflicts: Not applicable Read: API response read 2026-10-25
National Library of Medicine 2026 PubChem compound records (magnoflorine, menisperine, luteolin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, beta-sitosterol, camphor, alpha-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, alpha-humulene) PubChem PUG REST · Source	Database record not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable · vs Not applicable	Compound IDs: magnoflorine 73337; menisperine 30358; luteolin 5280445; caffeic acid 689043; ferulic acid 445858; beta-sitosterol 222284; camphor 2537; alpha-pinene 6654; beta-caryophyllene 5281515; alpha-humulene 5281520. Lupeol (259846) exists in PubChem but was not linked to muira puama in any source read. No PubChem entry was looked up for muirapuamine. Compound IDs checked (Not applicable) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Compound identity Limitations: Database or web record, not a study. Funding and conflicts: Not applicable Read: API responses read 2026-10-25
Nguyen 2018 Safety and efficacy of daily Revactin(®) in men with erectile dysfunction: a 3-month pilot study. Transl Androl Urol · PMID 29732286 · DOI	Uncontrolled pilot study	54 Middle-aged men with erectile dysfunction (mean age 57.8; 33-77)	Revactin (ginger root, muira puama and Paullinia cupana, plus L-citrulline) not stated in abstract 500 mg/day of the three herbs together plus 1,600 mg/day L-citrulline, as stated in the abstract (study description only) 3 months · vs None	Only 5 men reported side effects (indigestion, heartburn, migraine); none severe. Among men who stayed on it (32 at month 1, 22 at month 2, 16 at month 3), erectile-function median scores rose (for example 21 at month 1 vs 16 at baseline, P<0.05), as did intercourse and overall satisfaction; orgasm and desire did not reach significance. About 50% reported a significant improvement in erectile function. Most dropouts were because men did not want to stop their erectile-dysfunction medicines. Higher erection scores in the men who stayed in; cannot be credited to muira puama (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: IIEF-15 domain scores (erectile function, orgasm, desire, intercourse and overall satisfaction); side effects Limitations: No comparison group; only 16 of 54 men at month 3; four-ingredient mix; men were asked to stop their erectile-dysfunction drugs; small pilot. Funding and conflicts: Conflict of interest: one author holds shares in the company that supplied Revactin and has a patent pending on it (stated in the paper). Read: abstract
Oliveira 2005 Clinical toxicology study of an herbal medicinal extract of Paullinia cupana, Trichilia catigua, Ptychopetalum olacoides and Zingiber officinale (Catuama) in healthy volunteers. Phytother Res · PMID 15798997 · DOI	Clinical safety study in healthy volunteers	Healthy volunteers of both sexes (number not stated in the abstract)	Catuama (a liquid herbal extract of guarana, catuaba, muira puama and ginger) not stated in abstract 25 mL twice a day (as stated in the abstract) 28 days · vs Not stated	No severe adverse reactions and no changes in blood counts or blood chemistry were reported. No toxicity signal in a 28-day study of the four-herb mix (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Toxic effects, blood counts and blood chemistry Limitations: Abstract gives no number of people, no list of blood tests (liver tests are not named), and no blood pressure or heart-rate results. Four-herb mix. Only 28 days. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
Petre 2023 Dietary Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction: Analysis of Marketed Products, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Rational Use. Nutrients · PMID 37686709 · DOI	Systematic review and meta analysis human review	Dietary supplements for erectile dysfunction and 25 marketed Italian products	Dietary supplement ingredients Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable · vs Not applicable	The meta-analysis found Panax ginseng, Tribulus terrestris and L-arginine improved male sexual function. Eighty percent of the marketed products had no expected effect because they were blends of many substances at negligible doses or with no evidence. The abstract does not name muira puama. Muira puama not among ingredients with trial support in this review (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Effect of supplement ingredients on erectile function Limitations: Only the abstract was read; muira puama is not named in it. Funding and conflicts: No competing interests declared. Read: abstract
Piato 2008 Effects of Marapuama in the chronic mild stress model: further indication of antidepressant properties. J Ethnopharmacol · PMID 18513902 · DOI	Animal study animal	Mice under six weeks of unpredictable mild stress	Ethanol extract of Ptychopetalum olacoides (POEE) not stated in abstract 50, 100 or 300 mg/kg by mouth 6 weeks · vs Imipramine and vehicle	The extract prevented stress-induced coat damage, lower grooming and a rise in the stress hormone corticosterone, similar to imipramine. Prevented a stress-hormone rise in mice (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Coat state, grooming, blood corticosterone Limitations: Mice only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
Piato 2009 Antidepressant profile of Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham (Marapuama) in mice. Phytother Res · PMID 19067380 · DOI	Animal study animal	Mice	Standardised ethanol extract of Ptychopetalum olacoides (POEE) not stated in abstract 15-100 mg/kg injected; 300 mg/kg by mouth Acute · vs Vehicle	The extract reduced immobility in a dose-related way; the effect depended on catecholamine (noradrenaline and dopamine) pathways, not serotonin. Antidepressant-like effect in mice (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Immobility in forced-swim and tail-suspension tests Limitations: Mouse behaviour tests are weak models of human depression. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
Piato 2010 Anti-stress effects of the "tonic"Ptychopetalum olacoides (Marapuama) in mice. Phytomedicine · PMID 19682881 · DOI	Animal study animal	Mice under unpredictable chronic mild stress	Ethanol extract of Ptychopetalum olacoides (POEE) not stated in abstract 100 and 300 mg/kg (stress tests); 50-200 mg/kg injected and 800 mg/kg by mouth (convulsion test) Chronic stress protocol · vs DMSO vehicle	The extract was not anti-anxiety by itself, but prevented stress-induced anxiety and high blood sugar, and lengthened time to oxygen-lack convulsions. It did not change blood sugar in unstressed mice. Stress protection in mice (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Anxiety in the light-dark test; blood glucose; time to oxygen-lack convulsions Limitations: Mice only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
Pontieri 2007 The herbal drug Catuama reverts and prevents ventricular fibrillation in the isolated rabbit heart. J Electrocardiol · PMID 17888942 · DOI	Lab study on rabbit hearts in-vitro	Isolated rabbit hearts	Catuama (catuaba, guarana, muira puama, ginger) and the single extracts not stated in abstract Test-tube doses Minutes · vs Untreated hearts	Catuama and the catuaba extract stopped a heart rhythm problem and prevented its return, and slowed conduction inside the ventricle. The authors credit catuaba, not muira puama, as the likely main agent. Heart-rhythm effects of the mix in rabbit hearts (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Ventricular fibrillation, conduction, heart rate Limitations: Isolated rabbit hearts; muira puama alone was not reported in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
Powers 2015 A molecular docking study of phytochemical estrogen mimics from dietary herbal supplements. In Silico Pharmacol · PMID 25878948 · DOI	Computer docking study in silico	568 plant chemicals from 17 popular herbal supplements	Chemicals from muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides or P. uncinatum) and other herbs not stated Not applicable Not applicable · vs Not applicable	Eight muira puama chemicals were predicted to bind strongly to human estrogen receptors. The authors flag this as of possible concern for men's supplements and say effects on hormones are not shown. Prediction only; no lab or human test (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Computer-predicted binding to estrogen receptors Limitations: Computer model; says nothing about actual hormone effects. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
Siqueira 2003 Ptychopetalum olacoides, a traditional Amazonian "nerve tonic", possesses anticholinesterase activity. Pharmacol Biochem Behav · PMID 12895682 · DOI	Animal and lab study animal	Rat brain tissue; aged mice	Ethanol extract of Ptychopetalum olacoides roots (POEE) root 100 mg/kg injected into the abdomen (mice) Acute · vs Control	The extract blocked the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in rat brain tissue (dose- and time-dependent) and in the brains of 14-month-old mice. Enzyme blocking in animals (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Acetylcholinesterase activity Limitations: Animal and test-tube only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
Siqueira 2004 Neuroprotective effects of Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham (Olacaceae) on oxygen and glucose deprivation induced damage in rat hippocampal slices. Life Sci · PMID 15302233 · DOI	Lab study in rat brain slices in-vitro	Rat hippocampal slices deprived of oxygen and glucose	Ethanol extract of Ptychopetalum olacoides (POEE) not stated in abstract 0.6 micrograms/mL on slices During and after oxygen-glucose deprivation · vs Untreated slices	Treated slices survived better and made fewer free radicals after oxygen and glucose were cut off. Cell protection in a dish (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Cell viability and free-radical content Limitations: Brain slices from rats; not tested in people. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
Srivatsav 2020 Efficacy and Safety of Common Ingredients in Aphrodisiacs Used for Erectile Dysfunction: A Review. Sex Med Rev · PMID 32139335 · DOI	Review human review	Ten common ingredients in erectile-dysfunction supplements	Ingredients of erectile-dysfunction supplements Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable · vs Not applicable	Only L-arginine had clinical data supporting better erections. Limited data exist for other ingredients. The abstract does not name muira puama. Weak evidence for most supplement ingredients (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Efficacy and safety of common ingredients Limitations: Only the abstract was read; muira puama is not named in it, so the full text might say more. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
Tian 2018 Qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical constituents of Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth. Nat Prod Res · PMID 28750557 · DOI	Chemistry study lab	Ptychopetalum olacoides bark	Extract of bark bark Not applicable Not applicable · vs Not applicable	Fourteen compounds were identified, including the alkaloids magnoflorine and menisperine. These two made up about 76% of the compounds measured and were the main ones in the bark. The authors conclude that alkaloids dominate. Alkaloids are the main measured compounds in the bark (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Isolated compounds Limitations: Lab chemistry only; the abstract does not mention lupeol or muirapuamine. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
Waynberg 2000 Effects of Herbal vX on libido and sexual activity in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Adv Ther · PMID 11186145 · DOI	Uncontrolled before and after study	202 Healthy women complaining of low sex drive	Herbal vX (a formula of muira puama and ginkgo) not stated in abstract Not stated in abstract 1 month · vs None (before vs after)	Average total questionnaire scores were significantly higher than baseline in 65% of the 202 women. Desire frequency, intercourse frequency, fantasies, satisfaction, orgasm ability and intensity all improved. Compliance and tolerability were reported as good. The authors said a double-blind study was planned. Self-reported gains in two-thirds of women in an uncontrolled study (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Self-rated sexual desire, activity and satisfaction (questionnaire total score) Limitations: No placebo group; two-ingredient formula so muira puama cannot be separated from ginkgo; 1 month; self-report; no numbers or p-values in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Authors are from a private sexology institute in Paris; possible product link not verified. Read: abstract
da Silva 2002 Anxiogenic properties of Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth. (Marapuama). Phytother Res · PMID 12164265 · DOI	Animal study animal	Mice	Ethanol extract of Ptychopetalum olacoides roots root 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg Acute · vs Pentylenetetrazol comparison	The extract reduced exploring without affecting movement or coordination, similar to a drug that causes anxiety. The authors read this as an anxiety-causing (anxiogenic) effect. Possible anxiety-like effect in mice (Not reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Exploring behaviour (hole-board test) and movement Limitations: Mice only; conflicts with the 2010 stress study. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract

What we do not know yet

No human trial of muira puama alone for any use; all human studies used mixes.
No human blood-pressure, heart-rate, hormone, pregnancy, breastfeeding or child data.
No human interaction study; all interactions listed are theoretical or from lab and animal work.
The 1990s French studies often quoted online were not found in PubMed and were not read.
No agency monograph found; lupeol and muirapuamine could not be confirmed in the sources read.

How new research is added

New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any rating or safety wording.

Lab markers

What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".

Other 7

▲

International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores

Raised in trials

A questionnaire men fill in about erections, orgasm, desire and satisfaction.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

The standard way to track erection problems.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Real questionnaire change in survivors, but no control group and many dropouts.

Safety implication

Five men reported mild side effects.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁶	Median erectile-function score was higher than baseline in men who stayed on the mix (month 1: 21 vs 16; month 2: 22 vs 15.5; month 3: 19 vs 14.5; P<0.05). Orgasm and desire scores rose but not significantly. Most men left after month 1.	54 men with erectile dysfunction; 32, 22 and 16 remaining at months 1-3	Revactin (ginger, muira puama, guarana, L-citrulline), twice daily, 3 months, no control group

¹⁶

▲

Women's sexual desire and satisfaction questionnaire (total score)

Raised in trials

A set of questions women answer about desire, fantasies, intercourse frequency, orgasm and satisfaction.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Shows whether sexual wellbeing changed from before to after a treatment.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Uncontrolled; self-rated.

Safety implication

Tolerability described as good.

Study	Result	People	Product
²⁸	Total scores were significantly higher than baseline in 65% of women, with gains in desire, fantasies, satisfaction and orgasm. The abstract gives no figures.	202 healthy women with low sex drive	Herbal vX (muira puama plus ginkgo), 1 month, no placebo group

²⁸

▼

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the brain

Lowered in trials

An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, a brain messenger linked to memory. Alzheimer drugs block it.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used to see whether an extract could act like memory drugs.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Animal and lab enzyme data only; not a human result.

Safety implication

Blocking this enzyme can have side effects with some drugs, unstudied for muira puama in people.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁸	Oral extract lowered AChE in mouse hippocampus (about 33% in CA1, 20% in CA3) and striatum (about 17%); two forms of the enzyme fell by 50-72% in some regions.	Mice	Standardised ethanol extract of Ptychopetalum olacoides by mouth
²⁴	Extract blocked the enzyme in rat brain tissue and aged mice, in a dose- and time-dependent way.	Rat brain tissue; aged mice	Ethanol root extract, 100 mg/kg injected in mice

^{8 24}

▼

Stress hormone (corticosterone) and blood glucose in stressed mice

Lowered in trials

Corticosterone is the main stress hormone in mice; blood glucose rises with chronic stress.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Shows whether stress effects were prevented.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Mouse data only.

Safety implication

A glucose effect has not been tested in people; ask a doctor if you use diabetes medicines.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁹	Extract prevented a stress-induced rise in corticosterone, like imipramine.	BALB/c mice, 6 weeks of stress	Ethanol extract by mouth
²¹	Extract prevented stress-induced high blood sugar (about 106-107 vs 135 mg/dl in stressed controls) and did not change glucose in unstressed mice.	Mice under chronic mild stress	Ethanol extract, 100 and 300 mg/kg

^{19 21}

↕

Urinary symptom score (IPSS) and peak urine flow (Qmax)

Mixed results in trials

IPSS is a questionnaire about urinary symptoms; Qmax is the fastest rate of urine flow measured in a clinic.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Standard way to track prostate-related urinary problems.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Cannot judge size of change; no control group.

Safety implication

Not detailed.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁴	The abstract states symptoms and urine-flow measures improved but gives no values.	59 men with prostate-related urinary symptoms	Oxyfil (five ingredients), alone or with standard medicines, retrospective

⁴

▲

Nitric oxide, cGMP and PDE5 in penile muscle cells

Raised in trials

Chemical signals that relax blood vessels and the muscle in the penis; PDE5 breaks them down and is the target of sildenafil-type drugs.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used to see whether a product acts on the same pathway as erection drugs.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Cell and tissue findings from a company-linked group; the effect belongs to the combination.

Safety implication

Possible additive effect with erection drugs is unstudied (see safety).

Study	Result	People	Product
⁶	The four-part mix raised cGMP 85%, raised iNOS about 15-fold and lowered PDE5 by about half in rat cells; it worked better than any one ingredient.	Rat penile smooth-muscle cells	Ginger, guarana, muira puama and L-citrulline, together or alone
⁷	The commercial product raised nitrite, cGMP and iNOS in human penile muscle cells.	Human corporal smooth-muscle cells	Revactin
¹	Muira puama extract relaxed rabbit penile tissue; part of the effect was reduced by a blocker of the cGMP enzyme.	Rabbit corpus cavernosum	Muira puama extract among four herbs

^{6 7 1}

▲

Skin luminance and tone (ITA and L*)

Raised in trials

Colour measurements of the skin taken with a device; higher values mean a lighter, more even tone.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Objective measure of dark-circle improvement.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Small, uncontrolled, cosmetic.

Safety implication

None reported in the abstract.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁵	Skin luminance and tone improved in about 90% of volunteers after 28 days.	21 volunteers with dark circles	5% serum with Pfaffia, muira puama and Lilium, on the skin

⁵

Safety

What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.

Main points to know 7

Very little human safety information, and none for muira puama on its own. Every human study used a mix. In the 28-day study of a four-herb liquid and the 3-month pilot of a four-ingredient capsule, no serious problems were reported, but these were short and small. A 2020 review found only animal reports of side effects for muira puama. Missing reports are not proof of safety. Systematic review ^{2 17 16}
Blood pressure and heart rate: not measured for muira puama. We found no human blood-pressure or heart-rate result for muira puama. The 28-day Catuama study reported no severe reactions or blood-test changes but its abstract says nothing about blood pressure or pulse. In isolated rabbit hearts, the mix slowed conduction inside the ventricle and stopped a rhythm problem, and the authors credit catuaba rather than muira puama. Mixes often contain other ingredients (for example guarana or ginkgo) with their own effects on heart and blood; those were not assessed in the sources read. Laboratory research ^{17 22}
Hormones: a computer prediction only. A computer model predicted that eight muira puama chemicals could bind estrogen receptors. No lab or human test of muira puama's effect on estrogen, testosterone or other hormones was found. In mice, an extract prevented a stress-induced rise in the stress hormone corticosterone. People with hormone-sensitive conditions should ask a doctor first. Laboratory research ^{23 19}
Liver: no clear signal, but little data. The 28-day healthy-volunteer study reported no blood-chemistry changes (liver tests are not named in its abstract). One 2026 case report of vanishing bile duct syndrome blamed about 15 supplements, one listed as 'tribulus muira puama'. No agency liver entry was found. Case report ^{17 13}
Brain effects seen in mice, both helpful and unhelpful. Mouse studies found memory impairment and reduced movement in some tests, an anxiety-like effect in one, and the opposite in another. The 2020 review lists these as neurological side effects. Whether they happen in people is unknown. Animal research ^{2 29 21}
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children: no data. We found no study, case report or agency statement on pregnancy, breastfeeding or children. The safe approach is to avoid it unless a clinician agrees. Pharmacological theory
Product quality is a risk. A 2020 review warns that retail herbal products can be mislabelled or contaminated with heavy metals or drugs, and says drug interactions are the biggest risk of herbal aphrodisiacs. Muira puama is often sold in blends, so you may take other herbs without noticing. Systematic review ²

Side effects 4

Effect	How often	Severity and recovery	Evidence
Indigestion, heartburn, migraine (in a four-ingredient mix) Pilot with no control group; the mix held ginger, guarana and L-citrulline too. Rated by authors as not severe.	5 of 54 men	mild; none severe not stated	Controlled trial ¹⁶
No severe reactions or blood-test changes (28-day four-herb liquid) Healthy volunteers; number and exact tests not stated in the abstract.	Not established	not applicable not applicable	Controlled trial ¹⁷
Reduced movement and impaired memory (mice) Listed by the 2020 review from animal studies of muira puama extracts.	Not established	unknown in people not stated	Animal research ²
Anxiety-like behaviour (mice, one study) Another mouse study found stress-induced anxiety was prevented, so the finding is mixed.	Not established	unknown in people not stated	Animal research ²⁹

Liver

We found no confirmed human case of liver injury caused by muira puama. The only case report, from 2026, involved a man taking about 15 products at once; the authors blamed multiple supplements and one item on his list was 'tribulus muira puama'. In the 28-day healthy-volunteer study of a four-herb liquid, no blood-chemistry change was reported, but liver tests are not named in the abstract. No LiverTox entry for muira puama was found. ^{17 13}

How often. No frequency data. One case among many products is not evidence that muira puama harms the liver, nor that it is safe.

Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice found. People with liver disease or on liver-processed medicines should ask a doctor or pharmacist first. Stop and seek care for yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or pale stools.

Mendoza 2026 (1 patients). 41-year-old man, vanishing bile duct syndrome, severe high blood fats. Other possible causes: About 15 supplements a day, including Asian ginseng, ashwagandha, DHEA, zinc and others; muira puama only as 'tribulus muira puama' in a list. ¹³

This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Muira puama supports liver health.

Medicines and supplements 8

With	Why it matters	Importance	Evidence	What to do
Erectile-dysfunction drugs (sildenafil, tadalafil) and nitrate heart medicines prescription	In rat cells a mix with muira puama raised cGMP and halved PDE5 levels, the same pathway these drugs use. In the retrospective prostate study, 7 men took the five-ingredient product with a PDE5 inhibitor.	Unknown. No interaction study and no blood-pressure data. Nitrates with PDE5 drugs are already dangerous, so adding any product that acts on the same pathway needs medical advice.	Laboratory research Very low certainty ^{6 4}	Ask a doctor or pharmacist before combining. Do not use alongside nitrates without medical advice.
Blood-pressure and heart-rhythm medicines prescription	Mix with muira puama slowed conduction in rabbit hearts; no human data for muira puama alone.	Unknown. Not studied in people.	Laboratory research Very low certainty ^{22 17}	Tell your doctor if you use it with heart or blood-pressure medicines.
Antidepressants, stimulants and other brain-active medicines prescription	In mice, the antidepressant-like effect depended on noradrenaline and dopamine pathways; the extract also had an anxiety-like effect in one test.	Theoretical; no human interaction report found.	Animal research Very low certainty ^{20 29 2}	Ask a doctor or pharmacist; stop and seek care if you feel agitated or unwell after combining.
Memory drugs that block acetylcholinesterase (donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine) and anticholinergic drugs prescription	The extract blocked acetylcholinesterase in mouse and rat brain, and oral doses worked.	Theoretical additive or opposing effects; no human data.	Animal research Very low certainty ^{24 8}	Ask a doctor or pharmacist before combining.
Diabetes medicines prescription	In stressed mice an extract prevented a blood-sugar rise but did not change blood sugar in unstressed mice.	Unknown in people; the mouse result is small.	Animal research Very low certainty ²¹	If you have diabetes, monitor blood sugar and ask your doctor.
Hormone medicines and hormone-sensitive conditions prescription	A computer model predicted eight muira puama chemicals could bind estrogen receptors. Not tested in cells or people.	Unknown.	Pharmacological theory Very low certainty ²³	Ask a doctor first if you have a hormone-sensitive cancer or take hormone therapy.
Ginkgo, guarana, catuaba, ginger and other ingredients in the same blend herb	Human studies used blends; each ingredient has its own effects and interactions, which were not assessed in the sources read.	The 2020 review says taking several herbal products at once is common and drug interactions are the main risk of herbal aphrodisiacs.	Systematic review Low certainty ²	Read the label for every ingredient and check each with a pharmacist.
Liver-processed medicines (CYP enzymes) prescription	No lab or human test of muira puama on liver drug-processing enzymes was found.	Unknown.	Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence	Ask a pharmacist if you take narrow-range medicines.

Who should check first 7

Situation	Advice	Evidence
Pregnancy	Avoid. No safety data in pregnancy were found.	Pharmacological theory
Breastfeeding	Avoid unless a clinician agrees. No data; LactMed had no entry we could find.	Pharmacological theory
Children and teenagers	Not studied. Avoid.	Pharmacological theory
Heart rhythm problems, high or low blood pressure, or taking nitrate medicines	Ask a doctor first. No human blood-pressure or heart-rate data exist for muira puama alone.	Laboratory research ^{22 17}
Hormone-sensitive cancers or conditions	Ask a doctor first. Effects on hormones are untested; only a computer prediction exists.	Pharmacological theory ²³
Liver disease	Ask a doctor first; no liver data for muira puama alone.	Pharmacological theory ¹³
Anxiety, agitation or mood disorders	Ask a doctor first; mouse studies hint at both calming and anxiety-like effects.	Animal research ^{29 21}

Overdose, product quality and regulators

Summary. No human toxicity study of muira puama alone was found. A 28-day healthy-volunteer study of a four-herb liquid reported no severe reactions or blood-test changes.

Animal. The 2020 review says only animal reports of side effects exist (reduced movement, impaired memory). It also notes higher mouse doses for up to 15 days did not worsen side effects in a pain study (second-hand).

Human doses studied. Only mixes were studied; the abstracts give mix amounts, not muira puama's own amount.

High dose or long term signals. No human data beyond 3 months.

Overdose response. No human overdose report found.

Genotoxicity. Not found in the sources read.

Toxic plant parts. Root and bark are used. No source read names a toxic part.

Muira puama is usually sold in blends, and the 2020 review says herbal sexual-enhancement products can be mislabelled or contaminated.

Mislabelling and contamination (general). The 2020 review says retail herbal products may be mislabelled or contaminated with heavy metals or pharmaceuticals. ²

Two species sold as muira puama. Ptychopetalum olacoides and P. uncinatum are both accepted species in GBIF. A computer-docking study treats them together. Whether product labels distinguish them is not known. ^{10 11 23}

Different plant with the same local name. The 2020 review's reference list includes a paper on 'Northeastern Marapuama' (Croton echioides); we did not open it and treat this as NOT verified. If true, products named marapuama could be a different plant. ²

Standardisation. Alkaloids (magnoflorine and menisperine) were the main measured compounds in the bark in one chemistry study, so lupeol-based or other label claims cannot be assumed. ²⁷

Body	Action	Date

When to get medical help

Chest pain, fainting, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, or severe dizziness.
An erection that lasts more than four hours, or severe sudden headache.
Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools or intense itching.
Swelling of the face or throat, hives or trouble breathing.
Severe agitation, panic or confusion after taking a product.

Stop the supplement and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.

General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.

Frequently asked questions

Does muira puama work for sexual desire or erections?

We cannot say. No trial tested muira puama alone. A women's formula of muira puama and ginkgo and a four-ingredient men's mix both gave higher scores in uncontrolled studies, but a placebo effect and the other ingredients could explain that. Reviews of erectile-dysfunction supplements did not name muira puama in their abstracts.

^{28 16 26 18}

What does the human research actually show?

A handful of human studies exist, all of mixes: women's low sex drive (202 women, uncontrolled), men's erections (54 men, uncontrolled, 16 finished), prostate urinary symptoms (59 men, no control group) a 28-day safety study of Catuama, and a skin-cream study. The older French studies often quoted online were not found in PubMed.

^{28 16 4 17}

Is muira puama safe?

Not enough is known. Short studies of mixes found no serious problems, with mild indigestion, heartburn or migraine in 5 of 54 men, but muira puama alone has not been tested. A 2020 review found only animal side-effect reports.

^{16 17 2}

Does muira puama raise or lower blood pressure or heart rate?

Unknown. We found no human blood-pressure or heart-rate result. A 28-day safety study of a four-herb mix did not report either. A rabbit-heart study of the mix slowed conduction inside the ventricle, and the authors blamed catuaba. Ask a doctor if you have a heart or blood-pressure condition.

^{17 22}

Does it change hormones like testosterone or estrogen?

Not shown. A computer model predicted that eight muira puama chemicals could bind estrogen receptors, but nobody has tested that in cells or people. No testosterone study was found. In stressed mice it prevented a rise in the stress hormone corticosterone.

^{23 19}

Can muira puama harm the liver?

We found no confirmed case. A 2026 report of bile-duct disease blamed about 15 supplements, one listed as 'tribulus muira puama'. A 28-day study of a four-herb mix reported no blood-test changes, though liver tests are not named. No LiverTox entry was found.

^{13 17}

Is muira puama safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

We found no data, so it is best avoided unless a clinician agrees. We found no LactMed entry. It is also not studied in children.

Can it interact with my medicines?

No interaction study exists. Possible concerns, based on lab or animal work only, are erectile-dysfunction drugs and nitrates, heart and blood-pressure medicines, brain-active drugs, memory drugs, diabetes medicines and hormone treatments. A review adds that taking several herbal products together is common and interactions are the main risk.

^{6 22 20 8 21 23 2}

Can muira puama help with memory, mood or stress?

Only mouse and rat work exists. An extract blocked a memory-related enzyme and protected brain cells, and reduced depression-like behaviour and stress effects in mice. Other mouse tests showed memory impairment and an anxiety-like effect. Nothing is known in people.

^{24 9 20 21 29 2}

Do the studies mean muira puama itself works?

No. In the lab work on penile muscle cells, the four-part mix worked better than any single ingredient. A rabbit-tissue study found guarana was the most active of four herbs in Catuama. Company-linked authors were behind the men's pilot.

^{6 1 16}

Does it contain lupeol and muirapuamine?

Marketing often says so. In the chemistry study we read, alkaloids such as magnoflorine and menisperine dominated the bark, and neither lupeol nor muirapuamine was mentioned in the abstract. We could not confirm either compound.

^{27 15}

Is there an official monograph or warning?

We could not confirm one. NCCIH returned page-not-found, the EMA search could not be read, and no LiverTox or LactMed entry turned up. Absence of a page is not proof that none exists.

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Editorial transparency

Written by: AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
Medical review: None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
First published: 2026-10-25
Last substantive update: 2026-10-25
How we research: We started from our existing muira puama summary, searched PubMed, read the abstract of every PubMed study cited, read the muira puama sections of the 2020 herbal-aphrodisiac safety review, and checked plant names in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy and compounds in PubChem. Not verified: NCCIH returned page-not-found, the EMA could not be read, and no LiverTox or LactMed entry was found. Certainty ratings are the compiler's reading.
How we rate evidence: See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
Independence: No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. The men's pilot and related cell studies came from a group tied to the maker of the product tested, which we flag where it is stated.

Sources 29

Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.

Antunes E, Gordo WM, de Oliveira JF, et al.. The relaxation of isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum by the herbal medicine Catuama and its constituents.. Phytother Res. 2001. PMID 11507734. DOI 10.1002/ptr.861. (abstract)
Brunetti P, Lo Faro AF, Tini A, et al.. Pharmacology of Herbal Sexual Enhancers: A Review of Psychiatric and Neurological Adverse Effects.. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2020. PMID 33066617. DOI 10.3390/ph13100309. (abstract and full text (muira puama sections))
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Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.