Muira Puama – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Composition And More

What is Muira Puama?

Muira puama, commonly known as potent wood, is found in the Amazon rainforests and is traditionally used as medicine in the Brazil region. It is a short tree species or shrub, usually with a height of up to 14 feet, which belongs to the genus Ptychopetalum and family Olacaceae.

The shrubs have leaves consisting of a short petiole and two different colors on their upper and lower surfaces. The upper surface is generally light green, whereas the lower surface is dark brown. They have four to six flowers with a racemic arrangement, i.e., they are unbranched with short floral stalks.

Their roots are light brown to grayish brown in color and have a diameter between 0.3 and 3.8 cm. It has been observed that sometimes two or more roots may get joined by short and pointed projections and these roots are 0.5 m in length. The roots are conical in shape which are almost straight, tapering into a little tip and they taste bitter and saline.

Muira Puama Chemical Constituents

Muira puama is a plant commonly used in traditional medicine, particularly in the Amazon region, for its potential health benefits. The chemical constituents of Muira puama that give it its medicinal properties are alkaloids which are nitrogen-based compounds that can have various effects on the body, including stimulation and energy boosting.

Sterols help reduce inflammation and support heart health. Terpenes relieve stress and reduce inflammation. Fatty acids and essential oils are also present in Muira puama to support brain function and enhance sexual health.

Muira Puama Preparation

There are various methods for the preparation of Muira puama depending upon the intended end use. Here are some of the ways through which Muira puama is prepared:

• Chemical method: The chemical method for preparing Muira Puama involves extracting active compounds from its bark or root. Process steps include:
  • Pulverize dehydrated plant material into a fine powder.
  • Add a solvent (e.g., ethanol or methanol) to the powder.
  • Allow the mixture to settle for a fixed period.
  • Filter the liquid extract to separate it from solid plant material, removing unwanted debris.
  • Evaporate the solvent to leave behind a concentrated Muira Puama extract.
  • The obtained extract can be further purified to isolate specific compounds and remove impurities.
  • Finally, dry the purified extract to eliminate any remaining moisture, resulting in a potent, dry Muira Puama extract.
• Tea: Muira puama is used as tea, which is prepared by putting dried and chopped muira puama bark in 1 L of water and boiling it for 15-20 minutes.
• Tea powder: The tea powder of muira puama is prepared by adding 1 tablespoon of muira powder to 300 ml of water and boiling it for several minutes. The mixture is allowed to cool and strain before use.
• Tincture: The tincture of muira puama is prepared by boiling 4 tablespoons of muira puama bark powder in half a pint of vodka for 15-20 minutes. Now, cool the mixture and store it in a dark bottle before use.

Muira Puama Mother Tincture

t is also popularly referred to by its name as mother tincture, which is made by blending an exact quantity of the Muira Puama plant material with alcohol, preferably ethanol or a water-alcohol solution. The mother tincture is quite famous for the medicinal ingredients that are present with it as part of the plant; hence, it has a very high concentration.

The prepared Muira Puama mother tincture suggests aphrodisiac and tonic activities, which is why it is mostly employed as herbal medicine. Before using herbal tinctures, it is essential to read the dosing recommendations and consult with a healthcare professional.

Some of the benefits of Muira puama mother tincture are discussed below:

• Muira puama is helpful in improving female frigidity
• It is used in the treatment of neuromuscular diseases
• It improves the sex drive of both males and females
• Muira puama is useful in increasing nervous system energy
• It reduces menstrual complaints such as heavy bleeding and painful cramps.

Benefits of Muira Puama

There are various health benefits that Muira Puama shows, which are listed below:

• Aphrodisiac Properties: Muira puama has been traditionally used to improve the sexual health of both males and females. It enhances sexual desire as well as performance by stimulating libido. It is believed that the active compounds that are present in muira puama are responsible for improving the sexual health of individuals.
• Energy and Stamina: Muira puama has energizing properties, which are useful for increasing energy and stamina. It is a very helpful method for increasing stamina using natural methods, as the muira puama’s active compounds can reduce stamina. It stimulates vitality and improves tiredness, which makes muira puma act as energy boosters.
• Cognitive Support: Muira puama can potentially support cognitive functions such as focus and memory. It is also useful in inducing mental clarity and improving cognitive performance.
• Digestive issues: Muira puama can improve digestive problems, such as stomach discomfort, constipation, and diarrhea.
• Adaptogenic properties: Muira puama acts as a potential stress reliever as they have the ability to stimulate relaxation and well-being. Muira puama shows calming properties, which help in managing stress daily, thereby promoting a more balanced state of mind.
• Anti-aging: Muira puama has the ability to reduce free radicals, which damage cells and are responsible for aging. It has potential neuroprotective effects, such as improving cognitive function and memory, which also helps in preventing age-related memory loss.
• Cardiovascular Health: The sterols present in muira puama can improve blood flow and enhance blood circulation, which contributes significantly to heart health. They help reduce the weakening of cardiac muscles, thereby preventing heart diseases. Also, the antioxidant properties help counter oxidative stress, which protects the heart and blood vessels, therefore reducing the risk of heart disease.

What Does Muira Puama Treat?

The medicine muira puama has the ability to treat many health conditions. With proper consultation and dosage recommendation by the healthcare expert, it is very helpful in treating a variety of health complications such as:

• Sexual health: If someone wants to improve their sexual desire and sexual health, then muira puama is useful as it stimulates the libido, and its active compounds act as stimulating agents for improving the desire for sex.
• Stress reduction: If a person is experiencing a lot of stress and anxiety-related issues, then muira puama can help reduce stress and anxiety levels. The active compounds stimulate relaxation and promote calming effects on individuals, which help them reduce stress and have a balanced state of mind.
• Anti-inflammation: Muira puama helps in relieving pain and swelling and it is also reported to help in easing arthritis symptoms. It has been reported that due to the presence of various bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and certain phenolic acids, muira puama acts as potential anti-inflammatory agents.
• Improving cognitive function: Muira puama can act as a nerve tonic, helping to improve cognitive functions. It enhances memory and increases mental clarity, and as mentioned earlier, its stress-relieving properties help improve the health and function of the brain.
• Menstrual disorders: Muira puama has been traditionally used for improving various menstrual disorders. If someone is experiencing extreme menstrual cramps, unregulated menstrual cycles, bloating, etc, muira puama can help provide relief from these issues.

Muira Puama Homeopathic Uses

Muira puama is a well-known plant used in homeopathy for its wide range of benefits. Here are some of the homeopathic medicine uses of Muira puama:

• Sexual Health: Homeopathic practitioners believe that Muira puama helps increase energy levels and improves blood circulation, which can help with both male and female sexual health.
• Stress and Anxiety: It supports the nervous system, helping to balance emotions and improve mental clarity. This can be particularly useful for people dealing with mood swings or constant worry.
• Memory and Focus: Its brain-boosting properties might benefit people who have trouble concentrating or who are experiencing cognitive decline.
• Physical Weakness and Fatigue: If someone is feeling physically weak or exhausted, homeopathic Muira puama is believed to provide energy and strengthen the body.
• Digestive Issues: Some people take Muira puama to help with digestion problems. It soothes the digestive system and can help with issues like bloating or discomfort after eating.

Muira Puama Dosage

The usual dosage depends on whether Muira puama is taken as capsules, teas, tea powder, or tinctures. Apart from that, the age and health of the patient are responsible for determining the dosage amount. Therefore, it is necessary to read and follow the specific instructions that are mentioned on the product packaging, and it is important to consult the doctor or medical practitioner for recommendations on dosage. It is recommended to start with low dosage amounts in order to check for any potential side effects and then gradually increase the dosage.

Muira Puama Dosage for Adults

Muira puama is a traditional medicine whose dosage depends on an individual’s age, health, and supplement form. The most common recommendation of Muira puima lies in the range of 500 to 1000 mg per day. In order to check for potential side effects of muira puama, initially, a lower dosage is recommended, which is gradually increased. It is important to consult the healthcare worker for the personal dosage amount, as it depends on the individual’s health condition.

Muira Puama Dosage for Children

There is insufficient information and a lack of scientific evidence regarding the dosage of Muira puama for children. Usually, Muira puama is recommended only for adults, and therefore, it is important to consult a healthcare expert before using Muira Puma for children, as their bodies may react differently to herbal medicines than adults. When integrating additional medications into children’s treatment, it is important to consider, first and foremost, the safety and welfare of the children.

Who Should Avoid Muira Puama?

Muira puama is not suitable for everyone, and it may show several side effects for many individuals.

• Children: It is typically used for adults and not children due to the limited availability of scientific information. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a health care provider before giving Muira puama to children.
• Pregnant women: There is also limited data available on the effects of muira puama on pregnant ladies, so it is not advised or recommended to use muira puama.
• Individuals with medical conditions: The usage and dosage of muira puama depend on individuals’ health conditions. It is advisable for individuals who have certain diseases or those who are already taking medications to consult a doctor before using muira puama. Furthermore, individuals who are hormone sensitive should not take it as it can induce various hormonal effects.

Side Effects of Muira Puama

Muira puama, a traditional medicine, has very rare side effects among individuals. There is no such incident of extremely dangerous side effects reported so far, but certain individuals may experience some mild effects, which are as follows:

• Digestive upset: Some individuals may experience mild discomfort in the stomach.
• Headaches: Some individuals may experience mild headaches and sometimes even insomnia.
• Insomnia: Since Muira puama has stimulating properties, it may cause difficulty sleeping if taken late in the day or high amounts.
• Low Blood Pressure: In some cases, Muira puama can cause a drop in blood pressure, which might lead to dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Allergic Reactions: Although rare, some people could have an allergic reaction to Muira puama, resulting in symptoms like itching, rashes, or swelling.

References

• https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-574/muira-puama
• https://www.utep.edu/herbal-safety/herbal-facts/herbal%20facts%20sheet/muira-puama.html
• https://www.drugs.com/npc/muira-puama.html
• https://www.1mg.com/otc/dr-willmar-schwabe-india-muira-puama-mother-tincture-q-otc391402?srsltid=AfmBOophXFPBQBJr6CInQGVHJgiNEKKAukUdv9xQ5xk1keN4MHnMWnJy&wpsrc=Google+Organic+Search]
• https://www.rain-tree.com/muirapuama.htm

FAQs