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Benefits and Side Effects of Yohimbe Bark

Madhurjya Bhattacharyya
Yohimbe tree is found abundantly in some African nations like Zaire, Gabon and Cameroon, yohimbe, has been used for the last several centuries by the local people. Here, we give you some of the most vital benefits of yohimbe bark with some its side effects.
The bark of a yohimbe tree is ingested either directly or is purified and made into a tonic and consumed and is quite helpful in enhancing the sexual prowess. Moreover, traditionally the bark is smoked and is used for treating hypertension and angina. Today several medical professionals prescribe consumption of the bark extract for treating organic impotence. It energizes and increases the blood flow to the genital region in both males and females and stimulates the pelvic nerve ganglia, thereby, helping in treating impotency.

Yohimbe Bark Extract

It's during the months of May to September that the bark of this tree is extracted and harvested. In these months, the alkaloid content in the tree is the highest, thereby making it the ideal time to harvest the bark. Once they have been stripped off the bark, usually the tree dies and so the tree should be planted again. The yohimbe tree can propagate very quickly and can at times germinate from dead trees. The main chemical in the bark of the yohimbe tree is yohimbine, an indole alkaloid.

Benefits

Yohimbine prevents numerous depressive disorders since it expands the blood vessels. In addition to that, it has the capacity to increase the heart rate and raise the body temperature. Moreover, it also inhibits alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, a component of the sympathetic nervous system.
One of the most important effect is that it helps in inducing chemical reaction in the body, which in turn reduces cases of impotency due to stress, tension and fatigue. Moreover, it is also helpful for people who suffer from heart diseases and diabetes. Besides these, the bark helps in blocking alpha-adrenoreceptor, thereby, reducing hormonal effect which constricts blood vessel, a typical problem faced by people as they age. Yohimbine also promotes the supply of adrenaline to nerve endings, resulting in quickening of male sensual stimulation.
It also inhibits the production of monoamine oxidase and so should be cautiously used, if you have high blood pressure. You should not consume the bark or its extract along with foods or drink, which are rich in tyramines. If you have consumed foods like nuts, aged meats, beer, chocolate and cheese, make sure you don't consume this bark. Moreover, you should also not take it with foods rich in amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine. Your blood pressure may rise if you consume these along with the bark extract as the body may not be able to excrete tyramines from these foods.

Side Effects

There are reports that the bark of yohimbe tree is said to cause skin flushing, insomnia, tremors, nervousness, irritability, headache, dizziness, agitation, reduced appetite and painful urination. There have also been reports of people suffering from muscle aches, kidney failure, frequent urination, diarrhea, increased salivation, vomiting, nausea, runny nose, cough, breathing difficulty and rash. Moreover, it can also cause irritability, anxiety and insomnia.
In the recent past, research on the use of the bark in animals have found that they increase seizures and motor activity if consumed in high doses. In humans, the heart rate and blood pressure may increase. Moreover, excess fluid in the body may not be excreted, thereby, retaining them in the body and over time, causing chest discomfort. It is recommended that pregnant women should avoid consumption of yohimbe bark as it may relax the uterus, thereby, harming the fetus. Moreover, breastfeeding mothers should avoid its consumption as it may harm the newborn child.
Thus, there are several benefits of consuming yohimbe bark but you should make sure not to consume it in large quantities as it may be harmful for the body. You can also prepare a bark tea from the barks and consume it instead of consuming the whole bark.
Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.