Muira puama

What is muira puama?

Muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) is a small tree from the Amazon rainforest. Its bark and roots are used in Brazilian folk medicine as a nerve tonic, an aphrodisiac and a remedy for fatigue, which is why it is sometimes called “potency wood.” It is a common ingredient in Brazilian herbal tonics and in Western male enhancement products.

What the research says

Research on muira puama is sparse. Most studies are laboratory or animal experiments looking at nerve, memory and nitric oxide pathways. In humans, it has mainly been tested as part of combinations. For example, a Brazilian product called Catuama, which combines guarana, catuaba, muira puama and ginger, was given to healthy volunteers twice daily for 28 days in a safety study; no severe adverse reactions or blood test changes were reported (Oliveira et al., 2005). That study evaluated safety, not effectiveness, and included stimulating guarana, so it says little about muira puama’s own effects.

We found no rigorous randomized trials of muira puama alone for erectile function, libido, energy or stress, and none for prostate or urinary health. Large reviews of herbal products for erectile dysfunction focus on better-studied herbs such as ginseng and do not provide meaningful data for muira puama (Borrelli et al., 2018). Marketing that describes muira puama as an “adaptogen” that combats daily stress should be considered unproven.

How it’s used in supplements

Muira puama is sold as bark powder, extracts and tinctures, and appears in libido and energy blends. There is no research-based dose, and products are rarely standardized.

Little is known about its safety beyond short-term use in combination products. Avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Because its effects on blood pressure, the nervous system and drug metabolism have not been well studied, people with heart disease or high blood pressure, and anyone on prescription medicines, should check with a doctor before using it.

The bottom line: muira puama is a traditional Brazilian tonic with very little modern human research behind it, and almost all of that research involves combination products. It may be relatively safe in the short term, but there is no good evidence that it improves libido, energy, stress or the prostate. Treat it as unproven.

When comparing products, look for the botanical name Ptychopetalum olacoides, since other species are sometimes sold under similar names, and for evidence of third-party testing. A low milligram amount in a crowded blend is unlikely to do much, whatever the traditional reputation of the herb.