Muira puama

Ptychopetalum olacoides

Also: Potency wood, Marapuama

WarmingNeutral moistureTonifying

A Brazilian tonic wood for desire, stamina, and a tired mind.

A small tree of the Amazon understory whose bark and roots have long been taken as a restorative for flagging desire and energy. Muira puama warms and tones, gently lifts stamina and mood, and is used for sexual vitality in any body.

Energetics: Warming, toning
Taste: Woody, astringent
Family: Olacaceae (olax family)
Parts used: Bark and root

Medicinal uses 3

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Traditional useLab and mechanism studiesClinical studies

Low libidoTLC
An Amazonian restorative for low desire and difficulty with erections.
Exhaustion & burnoutTLC
Restores stamina and nervous energy after long fatigue.
Focus & brain fogTLC
Improved memory in animal studies, echoing its use for a tired mind.

Preparations

Tincture, bark decoction, and vitality blends.

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Cautions

Generally well tolerated; it can be mildly stimulating, so take it earlier in the day if it disturbs sleep.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

PregnancyAvoid

Muira puama has not been studied in pregnancy, and stimulating tonics are best left until after birth.

BreastfeedingAsk your practitioner

It has not been studied in nursing; check with your practitioner first.

Folklore

Muira puama comes from Tupi, the language of Brazil's coastal peoples, and is usually translated as potency wood. Brazilian markets still sell the shaved bark as a tonic for body and nerves. The tree stays small, growing only about 15 feet tall in the shade of the rainforest canopy.

How to grow

A small tree of the Amazon understory, not grown outside the tropics. Bark and roots come from wild trees.

In the wild

Rainforest of the Brazilian Amazon and neighboring regions.

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