Muira Puama

(Plycopetalum olacoides - 4:1 extract - 27mg per serving is equivalent to 108mg unrefined herb)

This is a small tree with fragrant white flowers. The bark and roots are used to make a tea for countering sexual debility, easing joint and muscle pain, relieving digestive complaints, and for baldness.

It has been used by Amazonia’s indigenous people as far back as they know, and in South American cities, and in France and England, since the 1920’s. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia still lists it for dysentery.

Somewhere along the way, Muira Puama was discovered to be effective against hook-worms - possibly an effect of its essential oils, or possibly an effect of its unique phytonutrients, or perhaps in combination. This makes it an excellent addition to Iridesca’s anti-parasite brigade.

In recent studies by the French, Muira Puama was found to be 51% to 62% effective in cases of erectile dysfunction. Other French studies focused on its positive psychological benefits as related to sexual functioning in men who had lost interest in sex. It is a valued libido enhancer.

In Europe and South America, Muira Puama is used to alleviate frigidity, infertility, menstrual disturbances, menstrual cramps and PMS. In South America it is used to fortify the stomach, intestines and nerves, and to ease exhaustion, stress and traumas. It is also regarded as a preventative of baldness.

Proper processing along with adequate heat and vegetable alcohol extraction is essential for this herb to achieve optimum bioactivity in the body.

There appears to be a pronounced synergy when Muira Puama is used with Catuaba. These two in combination are favorites of South American athletes.