Muira Puama, marapuama
Ptychopetalum olacoides

Family: Olacaceae

What it is like

Ptychopetalum olacoides or commonly known as Muira Puama is a tropical plant that can be found in northern South America and grows about 5m in height. The wood and roots are edible. It is an effective medicinal plant for the treatment of sexual impotence, nervous system disorders, erectile dysfunction, paralysis, influenza, rheumatism, etc. It has analgesic effects and it improves libido.

Ptychopetalum olacoides is an evergreen Tree growing to 5 m (16ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 5

Where it is found

Native to the Amazon rainforest.

Northern S. America - Brazil.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil; French Guiana; Guyana; Suriname, South America,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 4

Muira Puama has a long history of medicinal use by the native peoples of the Amazon region. Many of these uses were adopted by the Europeans when they arrived in S. America and have subsequently been verified by modern research. The plant is commonly used in many areas of S. America, and this use is spreading to other areas of the world. The main plant chemicals found in muira puama include: alpha-copaene, alpha-elemene, alpha-guaiene, alpha-humulene, alpha-muurolene, alpha-pinene, alpha-resinic acid, alpha-terpinene, arachidic acid, allo-aromadendren, behenic acid, beta-bisabolene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-pinene, beta-resinic acid, beta-sitosterol, beta-transfarnesene, borneol, campesterols, camphene, camphor, car-3-ene, caryophyllene, cerotic acid, chromium, coumarin, cubebene, delta-cadinene, dotriacontanoic acid, elixene, ergosterols, eugenol, essential oils, gamma-muurolene, hentriacontanoic acid, heptacosanoic acid, lignoceric acid, limonene, linalool, lupeol, melissic acid, montanic acid, muirapuamine, myrcene, nonacosanoic acid, para-cymene, pentacosanoic acid, phlobaphene, stigmasterols, trichosanic acid, and uncosanic acid. One of the early studies into the plant showed that Muira puama was effective in treating disorders of the nervous system and sexual impotence, and that 'permanent effect is produced in locomotor ataxia, neuralgias of long-standing, chronic rheumatism, and partial paralysis.'. The benefits of treating impotence with Muira puama have been studied in two human trials in France, which reported that Muira puama was effective in improving libido and treating erectile dysfunction. In another study, Muira puama extracts have been reported to have adaptogenic, antifatigue, antistress, and beneficial effects on the central nervous system. Researchers in Brazil have documented a definite central nervous system effect of the bark. The bark of Muira puama also has demonstrated a mild, short-lived, hypotensive effect. The root was found to inhibit stress-induced ulcers. The leaf has demonstrated an analgesic effect. Brazilian researchers reported in 2003 that an alcohol extract of Muira puama facilitated memory retrieval and noted it may be beneficial for Alzheimer's patients. Their next study published in 2004 reported that an alcohol extract of Muira puama protected and increased the viability of brain cells (partly through an antioxidant effect) which may be beneficial for stroke victims. Traditionally, the stems and roots from young plants are used as a tonic to treat neuromuscular problems; a root decoction is used in baths and massages for treating paralysis and beriberi; whilst a root-and-bark tea is taken to treat sexual debility, rheumatism, influenza, and cardiac and gastrointestinal weakness. The plant is also valued there as a preventive for baldness. In modern herbalism, Muira puama is a highly-regarded sexual stimulant with a reputation as a powerful aphrodisiac. It is used as a neuromuscular tonic to treat weakness and paralysis, dyspepsia, menstrual disturbances, sexual impotency, influenza, and central nervous system disorders. It is applied externally to treat chronic rheumatism. To achieve the libido and potency effects of this particular plant, proper preparation methods must be employed. The active constituents thought to be responsible for Muira puama's potency and libido effect are not soluble in water - taking bark or root powder in capsules or tablets will not be effective because this chemical cannot be digested or absorbed. High heat for at least 20 minutes with alcohol is necessary to free the volatile and essential oils, terpenes, gums, and resins found in the bark and root which have been linked to Muira puama's beneficial effects.

Adaptogen: Helps the body

Analgesic: Relieves pain.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Aphrodisiac: Increases the sexual appetite.

Cardiac: Used in the treatment of heart problems.

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

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.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating: 0

Other Uses: None known

How it is grown

Closely related to Ptychopetalum uncinatum, it can be used interchangeably with that species.

Propagating it: Seed -

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

marapuama, muira puama, muira-puama, muirapuama, potency wood, potenzholz, ptychopetali lignum.

Synonyms

No synonyms are recorded for this name.