Yohimbine for Heart Health

Yohimbine, found in the bark of the Pausinystalia yohimbe tree, may reduce slowed heart beat, a new study suggests.

Yohimbine hydrochloride is a standardized form of yohimbine that is available as a prescription drug in the United States and has been shown to be effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in clinical trials.

There is little clinical research using yohimbe bark extract, which generally contains low amounts of yohimbine, and commercial preparations may or may not share the same effects as yohimbine hydrochloride.

Traditionally, yohimbe bark was used as an aphrodisiac and mild hallucinogen. However, all information related to its efficacy is folkloric, empirical and anecdotal, or extrapolated from studies of yohimbine hydrochloride.

For over a century, yohimbine has been used as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, and this remains the most popular use of this extract. Yohimbe has also been used in traditional medicine to treat high blood pressure, chest pain and age-related cognitive disorders.

Although yohimbe bark extract has been used in Germany for the treatment of sexual disorders, "feeblenesss" and "exhaustion," the expert German panel, the Commission E, does not recommend its use due to a high risk-benefit ratio.

Yohimbine is derived from the bark (of the trunk and branches) of an evergreen tree native to West Africa (Congo, Zaire, Cameroon, Nigeria and Gabon). The cork-like bark of the Yohimbe tree contains the indole alkaloid, yohimbine.

Researchers from Germany investigated whether a yohimbine extract would reduce slowed heart rate and results showed no effect.

For more information about yohimbine, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.

Comments

[Rich]

The article says that yohimbe may reduce a slowed heartbeat. What exactly does that mean? Does it mean that it slows the heartbeat even more or that it helps quicken the heartbeat so it's in a normal range. Also, why would someone have a slower-than-normal heartbeat?

[Mary]

Hi, I am a student and not very familiar with herbal medicine. Can anyone tell me the difference between yohimbine, yohimbe and yohimbine hydrochloride? I understand that yohimbine hydrochloride is a drug that is synthesized, and that yohimbine comes from the yohimbe tree, but what is the difference in the effects? Does anyone know?

[Jesibel]

I think the author meant that yohimbine reduces the OCCURRENCE of slowed heart beat, aka it increases the heartbeat, preventing further slowing of the heart beat. Does that makes sense?

[Nick]

What are the details involved in the "high risk-benefit ratio?"

[Brody]

So, these researchers found that yohimbine extract did NOT reduce a slowed heart? So, even though the results of this particular study were negative, is it still possible that yohimbine extract may have have a positive effective on a person's heart rate?

[Christian]

Mary,

Yohimbine is an active indole alkaloid constituent found in the bark of the Pausinystalia yohimbe tree.

Yohimbe bark extract generally contains low concentrations of yohimbine (6% indole alkaloids, of which only 10-15% is yohimbine).

Yohimbine hydrochloride is a standardized form of yohimbine that is available as a prescription drug in the United States.

[Dan]

Does anyone know whether yombine is taken today in another form other than the standardized form?

[George]

I have a close friend who has issues with her cardiovascular health. Is there any evidence or similar studies that have studied its effects on the cardiovascular system? I’m also wondering if its effects, coupled with a healthier diet, might be an even better way to improve heart health. Also, is yohimbine only available in prescription form or could someone get it over the counter? If it is only available in prescription form I wonder what effects it has that it needs to be so closely regulated. I was under the impression that most natural supplements were available over the counter.

[Jayna]

I'm surprised that the researchers didn't find any results supporting their hypothesis. Yohimbine is an adrenergic receptor antagonist and a serotonergic receptor antagonist. In other words, it reduces the affects of these receptors, which detect the presence of adrenaline, noradrenaline and serotonin, respectively. These receptors are supposed to tell the body to stop producing these hormones, but if they are antagonized by yohimbine, they would not carry out this function as well, thus causing excitation. That is why yohimbine is used so often as a treatment for erectile disfunction caused by antidepressants. In fact, some of the side effects of taking oral yohimbine are a rapid heart rate, overstimulation, insomnia and anxiety!

[Janet]

Just a general comment: I think it would be helpful to include the pronunciation for herbs and supplements when the the correct pronunciation may not be intuitive or entirely obvious. I would love to ask my physician about drugs like yohimbine, and I would like to say it right!

[Laura]

So is yohimbine available as a dietary supplement that is over-the-counter also? I know that yohimbine hydrochloride is what is in the prescription drug, but I was wondering whether people took yohimbine just as a supplement. This story mentions that there is a high risk-benefit ratio, and so taking yohimbine is not recommended. Anyone know more about this?

[chowder]

Rich,

I also found the phrase, "may reduce slowed heart beat," very confusing, but I looked at the link and it's the abstract to the original research study titled, "Yohimbine attenuates baroreflex-mediated bradycardia in humans." This may sound even more confusing, but the baroreflex is the body's mechanism for regulating the heartbeat, and if it's messed up, then heart rate may be abnormally slow (bradycardia = slow heart rate). So basically, it means that yohimbine can help regulate baroreflex regulation of the heartbeat.

[Dorian]

That's really interesting chowder. I had no idea that the term baroreflex was referring to a natural mechanism in the body.

[Josh]

Laura:

Yohimbe bark is available as a dietary supplement, but one of the concerns, as with many natural substances, including dietary supplements, is the variable amount of active ingredients. The same amount of substance may affect different individuals differently and, when it comes to heart rate regulation, this can be a serious issue. I would look into some of the voluntary verification/standardization programs dietary supplement manufacturers participate in to find a reliable product.

[Billie]

Actually, the FDA has found yohimbe to be unsafe for over-the-counter sale. They determined that the potential for side effects and interactions with other drugs, herbs and even foods (like those containing caffeine) outweighed the potential benefits of taking yohimbe. I would think there are plenty of other dietary supplements that are safe and effective in the promotion of heart health, not to mention the benefits of healthful diet and regular exercise!

[Paul]

Yohimbine, both the extract and the prescription form, have similar side effects. Some of these include skin flushing, tremors, anxiety, insomnia, headache, increased salivation and problems with urination (painful or increased frequency). And, like Billie said, there are many interactions as well. Some interactions with MAOIs (antidepressant) and Zyvox® (an antibiotic) can have additive side effects, like increased blood pressure. Also, there is an interaction with alcohol; if taken together, it can increase the side effects of yohimbine and increase the chance of toxicity.

[WS]

There have not been conclusive studies in the event of taking Avodart [Dutasteride] in the presence of hepatic failure or renal failure. This drug is highly metabolized in the liver and advisable to be avoided in patients with hepatic failure.

[RR]

From the report, it seems that the heart rate increases 5+, yet "Researchers from Germany investigated whether a yohimbine extract would reduce slowed heart rate and results showed no effect." So yohimbine extract "MAY" reduce slowed heart beat, but it also may not.