Catuaba

Species name: Erythroxylum catuaba, =E. vacciniifolium.

Also known as: cataguá, chuchuhuasha, tatuaba, pau de reposta, caramuru, piratançara, angelim-rosa, catiguà.

Catuaba is an interesting herb that’s many different uses are still being discovered in the United States.

Used for many years in Brazilian medicine, it is believed to have positive sexual side effects. So what exactly is it and where does it come from?

What is Catuaba: Catuaba, Erythroxylum catuaba, =E. vacciniifolium, is a plant native to northern Brazil in the family Erythroxylaceae. It is used as a nervine or tonic. It is used in traditional Brazilian herbal medicine as an aphrodisiac and stimulant, and is gaining popularity outside that country and in the United States as an herbal remedy.

Catuaba belongs to the same genus as coca, the source of the drug cocaine, but does not contain any of this alkaloid. Catuaba is a small tree that grows 2-4 m (6-12 ft) tall. It produces yellow to orange flowers and small inedible yellow fruits. The root or bark of the plant is what is used.

Home Remedies using Catuaba:

Benefits of Catuaba:

Catuaba has been used in other countries as an herbal supplement and for medicinal treatment for some time now. While it is still relatively new in the United States, Catuaba is believed to help treat sexual dysfunction, work as an aphrodisiac and help increase orgasm.

It also has reported benefits in relieving insomnia from hypertension, restless sleeping patterns, and even in helping to capture failing memory. A study by Manabe et al. (1992) showed that catuaba extracts were useful in preventing potentially lethal bacterial infections and HIV infection in mice.

This herb is also believed to help pain relief, kill bacteria and viruses and dilate and relax the blood vessels. These results could prove beneficial for a wide variety of diseases and conditions. While it’s most common uses were as a sexual aid, studies are being done on the other beneficial uses for this interesting herb.

Uses of Catuaba:

  • As an aphrodisiac
  • To increase orgasm and climax
  • To treat erectile dysfunction
  • To ease pain
  • Kill certain bacteria and viruses
  • Infusion: 1 cup 1-3 times daily
  • Tincture: 2-3 ml twice daily

Side Effects of Catuaba:

There are no known side effects with catuaba. However the use of catuaba in North America is relatively new since for centuries it has been used predominantly by Amazon natives. Little is known about catuaba's long-term safety.