What is Muira puama extract?

Muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) is a small tree native to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and other parts of South America. Its root and bark have been used for centuries by indigenous peoples as a tonic for sexual health, nerve function, and general vitality. Today it is widely available as an herbal extract and is sometimes called 'potency wood' for its traditional reputation as a natural aphrodisiac.

How does Muira puama extract work?

Muira puama appears to support sexual function partly by acting on the nervous system — helping to enhance nerve signaling involved in sexual arousal and desire. It may also have a mild influence on hormone regulation and circulation in pelvic tissues. Some of its plant compounds interact with acetylcholine pathways in the brain, which connects to both mood and sexual motivation.

What forms does Muira puama extract come in?

The most studied and traditionally used forms are alcohol-based liquid extracts (tinctures) and standardized root/bark capsules. Tinctures allow faster absorption; capsules offer convenience and easier dosing. Powder forms can be mixed into drinks but are less commonly standardized. Look for products specifying root or bark extract, as leaf preparations are not traditional and less researched.

Where it comes from:

Indigenous tribes of the Amazon, particularly in Brazil, have used muira puama for generations as a remedy for sexual weakness, nerve pain, and fatigue. Brazilian folk medicine formally recognized it, and it was included in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a treatment for low libido and neuromuscular disorders. French researchers began studying it clinically in the 1990s, producing some of the earliest modern evidence for its effects on libido in both men and women.

What does Muira puama extract help with?

• Low libido (men and women): Muira puama is best known for its ability to reignite sexual desire. Clinical surveys have found meaningful improvements in libido for both men and women who take it regularly, making it one of the few herbs with human data supporting this effect in both sexes.
• Erectile dysfunction: In men with reduced sexual function, muira puama has been shown to help improve the ability to achieve and maintain erections. It likely works by supporting nerve signaling and blood flow to pelvic tissues rather than acting like a pharmaceutical drug.
• Female sexual dysfunction: A clinical study specifically in women with low sexual interest found that a combination formula containing muira puama significantly improved desire, satisfaction, and frequency of sexual fantasies. This is one of the few areas where human female-specific data actually exists for an herbal aphrodisiac.
• Mental fatigue and brain fog: Beyond sexual health, muira puama has a long traditional history as a nerve tonic. It appears to support mental clarity and reduce the feeling of mental exhaustion, possibly through acetylcholine-related pathways in the brain that influence focus and alertness.
• Stress and nervous exhaustion: Used traditionally for what was called 'neurasthenia' — a state of deep nervous fatigue and burnout — muira puama acts as an adaptogenic-style tonic that helps the body and nervous system recover from prolonged stress.
• Age-related decline in sexual desire: Both men and women experience a natural decline in sexual desire with age. Muira puama is specifically documented in clinical research as helpful for this population, with studies conducted in menopausal and older women as well as aging men showing meaningful results.
• Low energy and vitality: Traditionally used as a whole-body tonic, muira puama is reported by users to increase general energy and sense of well-being, not just sexual vitality. This aligns with its traditional use as a 'nerve strengthener' in Amazonian herbalism.
• Mild depression and low mood: Early traditional use included muira puama for mild depressive states and nervous exhaustion. Its effect on brain chemistry — particularly cholinergic pathways — may contribute to improved mood, though human clinical data specifically for depression is limited.

What can Muira puama extract help prevent?

• Age-related cognitive decline (emerging preclinical and traditional evidence; human data limited but promising)

Which foods are rich in Muira puama extract?

Muira puama is a rainforest plant extract not found in common foods. To support the same goals — sexual vitality, nerve health, and energy — focus on foods rich in zinc (oysters, pumpkin seeds, beef), which supports testosterone production; healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, oily fish), which are building blocks for sex hormones; and dark leafy greens and beets for nitric oxide support and circulation. Reducing alcohol and ultra-processed foods also supports the hormonal and nerve health that muira puama targets.

What are the side effects of Muira puama extract?

• Mild digestive upset or nausea (especially on an empty stomach)
• Mild elevation in blood pressure in some individuals
• Restlessness or mild overstimulation at high doses
• Insomnia if taken late in the day
• Insufficient safety data for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding — avoid

Good to know:

Muira puama is generally considered safe when used at standard doses for short to medium periods. Most people tolerate it well, and serious adverse events are not well-documented in the available clinical literature.