One natural substance that has gained a fair amount of notoriety as a sexual enhancer is yohimbe. For centuries, tribes in West Africa and the West Indies have used a tea made from the inner bark of the yohimbe tree as a potion for male virility. Yohimbine hydrochloride has been identified as the active compound in yohimbe bark and is available by prescription in the United States. It is also present in varying quantities in yohimbe extracts available over the counter in health food stores.
Studies focusing on male impotence have found yohimbine to be up to 40 percent effective in improving male impotence. Interestingly, it is effective in treating impotence due to circulatory impairment function as well as impotence of psychological origins. It is believed to work by affecting levels of neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and seratonin, in ways that enhance sexual response.
The problem is that yohimbe’s interference in key neurotransmitter pathways can also cause disruption of blood pressure, hallucinations, anxiety. Other side effects include rapid heart beats, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and skin flushing. It should never be used in conjunction with tricyclic antidepressants or blood pressure medication. It is contraindicated in anyone with a history of panic attacks or anxiety disorder.
I seldom recommend yohimbine because I feel that the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages—especially with the availability of other substances, like the ones detailed in this report, that are highly effective and without side effects.
