False johimbe
Pausinystalia macroceras

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

Pausinystalia macroceras is an evergreen tree growing up to 40m in height. It has a straight, cylindrical trunk that can be up to 50cm in diameter. It can be found in West tropical Africa and is one of the five species in the Pausinystalia genus. The bark is used as an aphrodisiac and anti-hypnotic. It has similar medicinal properties and uses to that of Yohimbe (Pausinystalia johimbe). The wood is used for fuel and as construction material.

Pausinystalia macroceras is an evergreen Tree growing to 18 m (59ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 18

Where it is found

An understorey tree in forests.

West tropical Africa - southern Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, DR Congo, northern Angola.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 5

The bark is very widely used as an aphrodisiac and anti-hypnotic. The bark sap is applied topically to treat cutaneous and subcutaneous parasitic infections. This species is closely related to Pausinystalia johimbe, and is said to have the same medicinal properties and uses. These are: The bark contains up to 6% of a mixture of indole alkaloids, the principle one being yohimbine (which is also known as aphrodine), plus pigments and tannins. The alkaloids have a cerebral stimulant action at low doses, but are highly toxic in large doses. Yohimbine has been shown to block the release of adrenalin and, in the correct dose, act as a sexual stimulant. It is the source of the only clinically-proven cure for impotence and has long been used as a traditional stimulant in Africa. Yohimbe is a bitter, warming, anti-diuretic, hypotensive and vasodilating herb with reputedly aphrodisiac effects. It has a stimulant effect upon the heart, increasing heart rate and blood pressure; has a locally anaesthetic action similar to that of cocaine but without being mydriatic; is a mild stimulant that can help to prevent drowsiness; and is hallucinogenic. The vasodilating action of yohimbe is particularly strong on the sex organs, hence its aphrodisiac action. The bark is taken internally, either as a powder or as a decoction. It is used particularly in the treatment of impotence, frigidity and angina. It is also used as a performance enhancer for athletes, and as a remedy to increase the clarity of the voices of singers during long festivals. The bark can be harvested at any time of the year. The use of this herb is subject to legal restrictions in some countries.

Aphrodisiac: Increases the sexual appetite.

Cardiac: Used in the treatment of heart problems.

Hallucinogenic: Causes the mind to hallucinate.

Hypotensive: Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure

Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in

Stimulant: Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.

Vasodilator: Widens the blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.

Other

Rating: 2

Other Uses This species is closely related to Pausinystalia johimbe, and is said to have the same uses. These are: The bark is a source of tannins. The inner bark is utilized as straps for panniers. The tree produces very little sap-wood, the major fraction being an ocreous-yellow heart-wood. The wood is flexible so iswidely used as a snare-trap mechanism, whilst the young poles are used for construction purposes in traditional buildings. The wood is used as fuel.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.

Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

None known. Pausinystalia macroceras occurs in lowland evergreen forest, primary as well as secondary, and also in gallery forest.

Propagating it: Seed -

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Slow

Soil: Medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

False johimbe

Synonyms

Corynanthe bequaertii De Wild. Corynanthe gabonensis A.Chev. Corynanthe macroceras K.Schum. Pausinys