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Revision as of 13:47, 6 March 2017
Yohimbe, (Rubiaceae), common name Pausinystalia johimbe, is a plant species native to western and central Africa (Nigeria, Cabinda, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea). Extracts from yohimbe have been used in traditional medicine in West Africa as an aphrodisiac and have been marketed in developed countries as dietary supplements.[1]
Contents
Description
Yohimbe is one of five Pausinystalia evergreen species growing in West and Central Africa in lowland forests. The tree grows about 30m tall, with a straight bole that is rarely larger that 50-60 cm in diameter. The bark is grey to reddish-brown, with longitudinal fissures, easy to peel and bitter-tasting. The inner bark is pinkish and fibrous. The sapwood is yellowish and the heartwood is ochre-yellow; the wood is fine-grained and relatively dense and moderately hard. The leaves grow in groups of three, with short (about 2 cm) stems. The blades are oval-shaped, 11-47 cm long and 5 - 17 cm wide.
The demand for yohimbe bark has led to over-exploitation, with possibility of long-term threat to sustainability of the species. Cameroon is the biggest exporter.
Uses
- The wood and bark are used for firewood and construction. Bark, the most commercially important product, is used in extractions to make tinctures for traditional medicine and dietary supplements.
- Extracts from the bark of yohimbe are used in West Africa as a general tonic and as an aphrodisiac.[2][3][4] Yohimbe bark and extract are widely used in manufactured dietary supplements. The levels of yohimbine present in yohimbe bark and manufactured supplements are highly variable.
- Yohimbine is used in veterinary medicine to reverse sedation in dogs, elk or deer.
- Yohimbine is used in veterinary medicine to reverse sedation in dogs, elk or deer.
