Yohimbe is the name of an evergreen tree that is found in Zaire, Cameroon, and Gabon. The bark of yohimbe contains a chemical called yohimbine, which is used to make medicine.

Yohimbe is used to 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.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for yohimbe are as follows:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED). There is evidence that the active ingredient, yohimbine, 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.
• Sexual problems caused by selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). There is evidence from many studies that the active ingredient, yohimbine, 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.

• Sexual excitement.
• Exhaustion.
• Chest pain.
• Diabetic complications.
• Depression.
• Other conditions.

In addition to treating male impotence, yohimbe bark has been used as an aphrodisiac for men and women. It was also used to treat fever and leprosy, and warriors used it as a stimulant before battle. Similarly, weightlifters have used it before compeition. Powder made from the bark was sometimes smoked to produce hallucinations.

Modern proponents claim that yohimbe bark extract can be used as a stimulant, an antidepressant, an aid to weight loss, a remedy for the sexual side effects of certain antidepressants, and a treatment for low libido in women. But, again, what evidence there is for any of those claims is scientifically unclear.

How does it work?

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.