<body><h1><strong>Yohimbe Hydrochloride</strong></h1><h2><strong>Description:</strong></h2><p>Yohimbe is the name of an evergreen tree found in parts of central and western Africa. The bark of yohimbe contains a chemical called yohimbine, which is used to make medicine. Yohimbine hydrochloride (Aphrodyne, Yocon) is a form of yohimbine that is a prescription drug in the US. Yohimbe supplements often list yohimbe bark extract or yohimbine as the active ingredient. However, some of these products might not provide accurate information about the amount of yohimbine in the supplement. Also, some yohimbe supplements list yohimbine hydrochloride as an active ingredient. Yohimbe products containing man-made yohimbine hydrochloride as an ingredient are not legal to sell as a dietary supplement in the US. Yohimbe is taken by mouth arouse sexual excitement, for erectile dysfunction (ED), sexual problems caused by medications for depression called selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and general sexual problems in both men and women. It is also used for athletic performance, weight loss, exhaustion, chest pain, high blood pressure, low blood pressure that occurs when standing up, diabetic nerve pain, and for depression along with certain other medications.</p><h2><strong>Yohimbine and yohimbe</strong></h2><p>Yohimbine should not be confused with yohimbe but often is. Yohimbe is the common English name for the tree species P. johimbe and, by extension, the name of a medicinal preparation made from its bark, sold as an aphrodisiac. In contrast, yohimbine is a pure alkaloid that can be isolated from yohimbe bark.</p><p>Yohimbine is just one of at least 55 indole alkaloids that have been isolated from the bark; and, while it has been described as the most active of these, it constitutes only 15% of the total alkaloid content. Yohimbe, thus a complex mixture, has been studied far less thoroughly than yohimbine, the pure compound. Pharmaceutical grade yohimbine is usually presented as the hydrochloride, which is more soluble.</p><h2><strong>How it works:</strong></h2><p>Yohimbe contains a chemical called yohimbine which can increase blood flow and nerve impulses to the penis or vagina. It also helps counteract the sexual side effects of certain medications used for depression.</p><h2><strong>Uses:</strong></h2><p>Insufficient Evidence for</p><p>Anxiety. There is mixed evidence about the effectiveness of yohimbine, the active ingredient in yohimbe, for treating anxiety related to phobias. Some research suggests that it does not improve anxiety when combined with therapy. However, other research suggests that it reduces fear related to certain phobias.</p><p>Depression. Early research suggests that taking yohimbine, the active ingredient of yohimbe, daily for 10 days does not improve depression symptoms.</p><p>Erectile dysfunction (ED). There is evidence that yohimbine, the active ingredient of yohimbe, can be helpful for ED. Some herbalists suggest that the yohimbe bark actually works better than the yohimbine ingredient alone. However, so far yohimbe bark has not been evaluated in research studies.</p><p>Exercise performance. Early research suggests that taking yohimbine, the active ingredient in yohimbe, daily for 21 days does not improve exercise performance or build muscle mass in soccer players.</p><p>Head rush (orthostatic hypotension). Early research suggests that taking a single dose of yohimbine, the active ingredient in yohimbe, increases blood pressure in people with a head rush due to low blood pressure. However, other early research suggests that it does not improve blood pressure.</p><p>Sexual problems caused by selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). There is evidence from many studies that yohimbine, the active ingredient of yohimbe, can improve sexual problems associated with this class of medications used for depression. However, this benefit has not been described specifically for the yohimbe bark.</p><p>Dry mouth. Early research suggests that taking yohimbine, the active ingredient in yohimbe, improves symptoms of dry mouth in people taking antidepressants. The effect of the yohimbe bark on dry mouth is not clear.</p><p>Exhaustion. Chest pain. Diabetic complications. Other conditions.</p><p>More evidence is needed to rate yohimbe for these uses.</p><h2><strong>Yohimbine and dietary supplements</strong></h2><p>In the US, “yohimbe” preparations are sold as a dietary supplements for enhancing libido, for weight loss and as aids for bodybuilding; but “There is virtually no published research on yohimbe which supports these or any other claims”. Often, these products explicitly claim to contain yohimbine.</p><p>Cohen et al. found that samples of brands sold in American brick-and-mortar stores contained highly variable amounts of yohimbine, and sometimes none at all. Labelling claims were often misleading. Similar results have been reported by other laboratories for products sold in the U.S., in other countries and on the internet. One study found that many brands of “yohimbe” might not derive from the P. johimbe tree in the first place. According to yet another source the yohimbe sold in markets in West Africa, where the tree grows, is frequently adulterated with other species of the genus Pausinystalia; these contain little yohimbine. The amounts of alkaloid found even in genuine P. johimbe bark vary considerably, depending on the source of the bark (roots, stem, branches, height, etc.). Some brands sold over-the-counter were found to contain more yohimbine per serving than a standard pharmaceutical dose; yet, in the US, pharmaceuticals are subject to the strict regulatory regime pertaining to medicines. It is illegal to introduce or deliver “drugs” into interstate commerce without the permission of the FDA. The FDA has asserted that some yohimbine-containing products are “drugs” because they are so promoted as to show “they are intended for use in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease”.</p><p>Because of the lack of reliable scientific data on yohimbe, the European Food Safety Authority Panel on Food Additives determined that it was not possible to conclude on its safety or to establish a health based guidance value. They wrote: Overall the missing information include[s] quantitative data on the composition and specifications of yohimbe bark and its preparations used in food and food supplements covering other alkaloids besides yohimbine, data on the bioavailability of active ingredients from the yohimbe bark extract and data on the toxicity of well specified individual preparations of yohimbe bark and the major yohimbe bark alkaloids, especially regarding subchronic toxicity, genotoxicity and reproductive toxicity.</p><h2><strong>Dosage:</strong></h2><p>By Mouth: For problems with sexual performance: 15-30 mg daily of yohimbine, the active ingredient in yohimbe. Doses of up to 100 mg of yohimbine daily have been used. However, significant side effects, some quite dangerous (including the possibility of death), would be expected with such a high dose.</p><h2><strong>Side Effects:</strong></h2><p>Yohimbe, taken by mouth, is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Yohimbe has been linked to reports of severe side effects including irregular or rapid heart beat, kidney failure, seizure, heart attack, and others. The primary active ingredient in yohimbe is a drug called yohimbine. This is considered a prescription drug in North America. This drug can be safely used short-term when monitored by a health professional. However, it is not appropriate for unsupervised use due to potentially serious side effects that it can cause. Children should not take yohimbe. It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for children because children appear to be extra sensitive to the harmful effects of yohimbe. When taken by mouth in typical doses, yohimbe and the ingredient yohimbine can cause stomach upset, excitation, tremor, sleep problems, anxiety or agitation, high blood pressure, a racing heartbeat, dizziness, stomach problems, drooling, sinus pain, irritability, headache, frequent urination, bloating, rash, nausea, and vomiting. Taking high doses can also cause other severe problems, including difficulty breathing, paralysis, very low blood pressure, heart problems, and death. After taking a one-day dose of yohimbine, one person reported an allergic reaction involving fever; chills; listlessness; itchy, scaly skin; progressive kidney failure; and symptoms that looked like the auto-immune disease called lupus.</p><h2><strong>Special Precautions & Warnings:</strong></h2><p>Pregnancy or breast-feeding: Yohimbe is LIKELY UNSAFE. Yohimbe might affect the uterus and endanger the pregnancy. It might also poison the unborn child. Don’ t take yohimbe if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Bleeding conditions: Taking yohimbe might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders. Schizophrenia: Use yohimbe with caution. The yohimbine in yohimbe might make people with schizophrenia psychotic. Prostate problems: Use yohimbe with caution. Yohimbe might make the symptoms of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) worse. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Don’ t use yohimbe. There is a report that four individuals with PTSD suffered worse symptoms after using yohimbe. Liver disease: Don’ t use yohimbe. Liver disease might change the way the body processes yohimbe. Kidney disease: Don’ t use yohimbe. There is a concern that yohimbine might slow or stop the flow of urine. High blood pressure or low blood pressure: Don’ t use yohimbe. Small amounts of yohimbine can increase blood pressure. Large amounts can cause dangerously low pressure. Chest pain or heart disease: Don’ t use yohimbe. Yohimbine can seriously harm the heart. Anxiety: Don’ t use yohimbe. Yohimbine might make anxiety worse. Depression: Don’ t use yohimbe. Yohimbine might bring out manic-like symptoms in people with bipolar depression or suicidal tendencies in individuals with depression. Diabetes: Don’ t use yohimbe. Yohimbe might interfere with insulin and other medications used for diabetes and cause low blood sugar. Surgery: Yohimbe might increase the risk for bleeding. People who take yohimbe should stop at least 2 weeks before surgery.</p></body>
