Does Yohimbe Work?

Many people may wonder, "Does yohimbe work?" Although there is no reliable evidence to indicate that yohimbe works for any purpose, some studies on the active compound in yohimbe (yohimbine) have shown that this compound can treat impotence and other sexual problems. However, it should not be assumed that yohimbe supplements would be as effective as yohimbine.

 

Does Yohimbe Work? -- An Overview

Yohimbe is an herbal supplement that is often used as an aphrodisiac and for various other uses. Yohimbe supplements are sometimes claimed to work for the following medical conditions:
 

Yohimbe and Scientific Evidence

There is no reliable scientific evidence (such as clinical studies) to suggest that yohimbe works for any purpose. This does not mean that yohimbe does not work; it simply means that there is a lack of any real proof that it does work.
 
However, several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of yohimbine, the active compound in yohimbe bark. Studies suggest that yohimbine may work for treating impotence due to a wide variety of causes (including both physical and psychological issues). Studies also suggest that yohimbine may help reverse some of the sexual side effects of SSRI antidepressants. It should be noted that these studies used yohimbine, not yohimbe, and it should not be assumed that yohimbe supplements would be just as effective as yohimbine.
 
There is no reliable scientific evidence that yohimbe (or yohimbine) works for treating depression, high or low blood pressure, or chest pain. In fact, people who have these conditions should probably avoid yohimbe. There is some concern that yohimbe may increase the risk of suicidal behavior in people with depression. Yohimbe can have unpredictable effects on blood pressure, causing dangerously high blood pressure at some doses and dangerously low blood pressure at other doses. Due to these effects (and other effects on the heart), yohimbe is not recommended for people with heart problems or blood pressure issues.
 
(Does Yohimbe Work? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;