Yohimbe
Pausinystalia johimbe
Herbs & Roots. African.
Also called Johimbe, Yohimbine bark, Corynanthe johimbe
Can spike blood pressureYohimbe is the bark of a West African tree that contains yohimbine, a strong compound sold for erection problems and energy.
Did you know? In the US, pure yohimbine is regulated as a drug, so selling it as an over-the-counter supplement for erections is against the law.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Sexual health. Small trials of yohimbine, the active compound, found modest benefit for erection problems, but results vary. The bark itself has little proof.Early proof
- Energy & tiredness. Traditional stimulant use. Human proof for energy is limited.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Healers in West and Central Africa used the bark as a stimulant and as an aphrodisiac, a substance thought to boost sexual desire.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Aphrodisiac, Stimulant. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Used as a bark tea or extract. Yohimbine strength varies widely between products, so there is no reliable dose. Studies of pure yohimbine used small doses under medical supervision.
Tea, capsule and tincture.
Where to get it
Grows in the rainforests of West and Central Africa. Sold as bark, powder, capsules, and extracts, mostly online and in supplement shops.
Be careful
Yohimbe can raise blood pressure and heart rate, and cause anxiety, headaches, and panic. In severe cases it can cause heart rhythm problems, heart attacks, and seizures. It is not safe in pregnancy, breastfeeding, or prostate inflammation.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; heart disease; high blood pressure; epilepsy; prostate inflammation.
Mixing with other things
- Don't mixAntidepressants (Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro and others)
Yohimbine can clash with tricyclic antidepressants and bupropion. Do not combine them.
- Don't mixBlood pressure medicine (lisinopril, amlodipine, losartan)
Yohimbine can raise blood pressure and work against blood pressure medicines, including clonidine. Do not combine them.
- Don't mixHeart rhythm medicine (digoxin, amiodarone)
Yohimbine can cause heart rhythm problems, so it is unsafe with heart medicines and heart disease.
The honest take
Yohimbe is one of the riskiest herbs on this site. Its main compound, yohimbine, can raise blood pressure and heart rate, and it has caused serious harm. The bark has little proof for erections, and the US does not allow yohimbine to be sold over the counter for that use.