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Yohimbe is the name of an herbal substance derived from the inner bark of the Corynanthe yohimbe tree, which grows in West Africa. Yohimbe has a long history of use as a prosexual agent for the native people who utilized it as part of their prolonged tribal sex ceremonies.
Yohimbe and its pharmacologically active component yohimbine have a unique mechanism of action as prosexual agents. As previously mentioned, erection occurs in response to stimulation by parasympathetic nerve signals. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems work together to maintain the infrastructure of our bodies. They constitute the miles of cables and tunnels that ensure that our personal Disneyworlds run smoothly and efficiently. The rate of our heart beat, the size of our pupils, and, yes, the erection of our penises or clitorises is under the control of our autonomic nervous system. Increased parasympathetic stimulation results in erection. Increase sympathetic tone and it goes away. Yohimbine works as a sympathetic nervous system blocker.
In addition to helping produce firmer and stronger erections, yohimbine also stimulates interest in sex for both men and women, and is, in fact, the only FDA-approved drug considered to be an “aphrodisiac.” Both men and women who take yohimbine have noticed this effect, and intensification of orgasm has been noted as well. As a result, yohimbine has benefit both for the treatment of sexual dysfunction as well as enhancing sexual enjoyment for healthy individuals.
The results of yohimbine as the sole treatment for ED in men have been somewhat discouraging. Complete resolution of ED was only seen in 5% of men and some degree of improvement in 34%. As such, as a treatment for ED, it often needs to be combined with arginine or some other prosexual agents for maximum benefit. Its main use may well be as a sexual “enhancer” for individuals with normal sexual function.
Yohimbine is available in 5.4 mg tablets with a doctor’s prescription. Yohimbe is available in health food stores as herbal extracts containing more or less of the active ingredient per dose. A number of treatment regimens have been proposed. One tablet of prescription strength yohimbine three times daily has been recommended as a protocol for treatment of ED. One or two tablets taken 30 minutes prior to sexual activity has been used for “enhancement” purposes.
People with high blood pressure or who are taking prescription drugs for any reason should consult with their physician or pharmacist before taking yohimbine. Some people experience increased anxiety as a result of taking yohimbine as well.
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