Yohimbe

Therapy. The current therapeutic journals of Austria and Germany have contained articles on the action of this remedy for the relief of impaired sexual function. Spiegel has made some important observations on its action.

Physiological Action. The action of this agent seems to be exercised directly upon the sexual centers of the spinal cord, increasing tonicity and reducing excitability. Oberwarth and Lowy made physiological experiments on animals with the alkaloid.

CONSTITUENTS. Spiegel obtained an extract of the bark, which contained a pigment that forms, on standing in alkaline solution, two alkaloids, yohimbin and an amorphous substance. The former crystallizes in white needles with silky lustre, and is soluble to the extent of two per cent in water, and dissolves also in alcohol and chloroform. The agent may be given in infusion, in the form of a powdered extract, or the alkaloid yohimbin. A liquid extract is also prepared. The dose is from .001 gm. to .015 gm, of the alkaloid-from the 1/60 to the 1/4 of a grain.

safety-cautions. Yohimbe - Contraindications: Renal disorders, Active peptic ulcer disease, Children, Pregnancy, Lactation, Hypertension, Heart disease, Phenytoin, Sympathomimetics such as epinephrine, ephedrine, amphetamines, cocaine and MAOIs, May interfere w/ blood pressure control and blood pressure meds | Side effects: Large doses (esp of isolated alkaloid)=urinary retention, hyperhidrosis, hypertension, tachycardia, irritability, anxiety, tremor, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, May interfere w/ blood pressure control and blood pressure meds | Safety flags: not considered safe in pregnancy; not considered safe during lactation; low-dose / narrow therapeutic window (use caution).