The Safety Concerns and Health Benefits of Yohimbe

Yohimbe is an evergreen tree that grows in western Africa in Nigeria, Cameroon, the Congo, and Gabon. The bark of the tree contains the active compounds called alkaloids. The principal alkaloid is called yohimbine. The Latin name for the herb Yohimbe is Pausinystalia yohimbe.

Yohimbine is a prescription drug in the United States for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Its popularity has waned since the introduction of Viagra.

Yohimbe bark extracts are also sold in health food stores and online. In Germany, it is not approved for use. Yohimbe can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure, as well as anxiety and other side effects.

Health Benefits

Traditionally, yohimbe was used in Africa for fever, coughs, leprosy, and as an aphrodisiac. So far, scientific evidence supporting the potential benefits of yohimbe is lacking.

Erectile Dysfunction

Yohimbe bark extracts are widely promoted online and in health food stores as a natural aphrodisiac to increase libido and treat erectile dysfunction. However, there is no evidence to show that the herbal supplements are effective. Most clinical studies have looked at the drug yohimbine and not the herbal extract yohimbe.

Studies on the effectiveness of yohimbine have had conflicting findings. For organic erectile dysfunction (erectile dysfunction due to a physical problem), some studies suggest it may be beneficial for men with organic erectile dysfunction. Other studies it may be no more effective than a placebo.

A German study examined whether 30 mg/day of yohimbine for four weeks would help men with erectile dysfunction not due to a physical problem. Yohimbine was found to be more effective than placebo (71 percent vs 45 percent).

Weight Loss

Yohimbine has been found in preliminary research to increase lipolysis by increasing the release of norepinephrine available to fat cells and blocking alpha-2 receptor activation. However, a controlled study found that 43 mg/day yohimbe had no effect on body weight, body mass index, body fat, fat distribution, and cholesterol levels.

Depression

Yohimbe has been promoted as a herbal remedy for depression because it blocks an enzyme called monoamine oxidase. However, this is only found in higher doses (over 50 mg/day), which is potentially unsafe. 

Possible Side Effects

Despite the purported benefits of yohimbe, the serious health risks mean you should not take it unless it is prescribed by a qualified physician.

In Germany, yohimbe is on the Commission E (the country's herbal regulatory agency) list of unapproved herbs because of concerns about the herb's safety and effectiveness. In the United States, the FDA has had a number of reports of seizures and kidney failure following the use of yohimbe.

Side effects of normal dosages may include dizziness, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and increased blood pressure.

As little as 40 mg a day can cause severe side effects, such as dangerous changes in blood pressure, hallucinations, paralysis, liver, kidney, and heart problems, and can even be fatal.

Because yohimbine blocks the enzyme monoamine oxidase, people taking yohimbe must avoid all tyramine-containing foods (e.g., liver, cheeses, red wine) and over-the-counter products that contain the ingredient phenylpropanolamine, such as nasal decongestants.

People with kidney or liver disease, stomach ulcers, heart disease, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, post-traumatic stress disorder, and panic disorder should not take yohimbe.

Yohimbe should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women, children, or elderly people.

Yohimbe should not be combined with antidepressant drugs unless under the supervision of a physician.

Yohimbe supplements haven't been tested for safety and keep in mind that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established.

Dosage and Preparation

There is no recommended dose of yohimbe. Yohimbe is not recommended because it has a very narrow therapeutic index. There is a relatively small dosing range—below it, the herb doesn’t work and above it the herb is toxic.

What to Look For

If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction or another condition for which you are considering yohimbe, talk to your healthcare provider. There are other medications and treatments available with fewer side effects and safety concerns.