Precautions and Side Effects Associated with Using Yohimbe
You may have heard of Yohimbe as a natural remedy for conditions such as erectile dysfunction, and even as a “sex enhancer” in certain supplements. But before you get too gung-ho about trying a supplement with Yohimbe as an ingredient, there are certain side effects and precautions that you should know about.
If you suffer from erectile dysfunction or certain depression you may have already heard of Yohimbe. Yohimbe is an evergreen tree that grows abundantly in Cameroon, Southwestern Nigeria, Congo and Gabon. The bark of the tress makes available a host of medicinal uses. This tree was used by the West Africans to treat a number of health conditions such as cough, fever and even leprosy. In recent times Yohimbe has also been used as a hallucinogen and as an aphrodisiac.
Yohimbe is increasingly being considered effective to treat erectile dysfunction in men. Also, research has shown that Yohimbe contains the ability to prevent monoamine oxidase (MAO). It might be beneficial when it is used to treat certain depressive disorders. The major constituent in Yohimbe is the alkaloid yohimbine though there are a number of other important alkaloids as well that are present there. Yohimbe is known to block alpha-2 adrenergic receptors that belong to the sympathetic nervous system.
Although Yohimbe is a natural product you should know it might cause some side effects. These side effects should be reported to your doctor and might cause you to stop taking the herb. Here are some of the side effects you might experience if you use Yohimbe; nausea, dizziness, insomnia, enhanced blood pressure, stomach upset, irritability, increased salivation, vomiting, irritability, nausea and fast heart beat. You can also have allergic reaction such as itching, rash, hives, swelling of your throat or mouth, wheezing and difficulty breathing.
However, most of these side effects are rare. It is advised that if you have peptic ulcers, kidney disease, or are pregnant you should not use Yohimbe. Also, children should not consume Yohimbe as it has been shown to be associated with anxiety disorders among adolescent kids. It is also recommended that you do not take over 40 mg every day as you might experience serious side effects. If you are interested in taking Yohimbe, it is advised to speak to an expert prior to using Yohimbe.
You may or may not experience the side effects. Unfortunately it is not possible to predict whether you will have any side effects before taking Yohimbe. If you feel something is not quite right it is best to consult your physician. They will be able to diagnose and treat your problem. Also, it is important that you let your doctor know about the other vitamins and supplements that you might be taking on a regular basis.
If you have been diagnosed with a panic disorder you could have an increased sensitivity to Yohimbe. Some of your side effect could be high blood pressure, increased plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol as well as increased anxiety. If you are a woman, you should take caution while taking the herb and probably work with your physician before taking the herb. As if you suffer from renal disease, cardiac disease, gastric ulcer, duodenal or glaucoma cancer you should not take Yohimbe. The recommended dosage for erectile dysfunction as well as for other medical conditions is 15 to 30 mg every day.
June 29th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Yohimbe is the best herbal supplement I’ve found for ED. It takes a while to find the dosage sweet spot, but once you find it, you’ll find that this herbal works everytime.
Cheers!