The ultimate guide to Bois Bandé (Muira Puama)

Muira puama is marketed as  supplements for libido  and several other uses, many of which remain unproven. Due to the lack of solid clinical research, muira puama is not approved by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) for medical use. The regulations set manufacturing standards for these products, but do not guarantee that they are safe or effective. We recommend discussing this with your doctor before taking muira puama supplements, although these are safe for the vast majority of people.

Bois Bandé can be  effective as :

Aphrodisiac

In two studies, muira puama  increased sexual desire  in 60% of men with low initial libido and  improved erectile function  in 50% of men with poor erection. Muira puama also  improved sexual desire, sexual fantasies, and the ability to achieve orgasm  in 65% of women with sexual dysfunctions.

In another study, muira puama combined with ginkgo biloba (Herbal vX, 175 mg muira puama and 16 mg gingko)  increased libido  in 65% of 202 women who reported low libido.

Muira puama supplements (1000-1500mg daily) for 2 weeks increased libido in 60% of 262 men with low libido.

Although limited, evidence suggests that muira puama may work as an aphrodisiac. You can try it to improve your libido.

erectile dysfunction

In a clinical trial of 54 middle-aged men, a commercial herbal remedy containing muira puama, ginger root, guarana and citrulline (Revactin)  improved erectile function  and was well tolerated.

The same herbal mixture increases blood flow in the muscles of the penis and prevents cell death in rats and cells.

However, a small clinical trial, a rat study, and a cell study cannot be considered medically sufficient evidence that muira puama helps with erectile dysfunction. Further clinical research is needed.

Dark circles (peri-orbital hyperchromia)

Periorbital hyperchromia is the darkening of the upper and lower eyelids, often due to slow blood circulation around the eyes. In a small trial of 21 people with the condition, a skincare product made with muira puama, Brazilian ginseng, and Madonna lily  improved the appearance of dark circles . In human skin cells, this product  reduced inflammation and oxidative damage .

The results of this small trial also do not allow a medical conclusion to be drawn that muira puama improves dark circles. Larger and more robust clinical trials are needed.

Currently ongoing animal and cell research (lack of evidence)

No clinical evidence supports the use of muira puama for any of the conditions listed in this section. Below is a summary of existing animal and cell research, which should guide future research efforts. However, the studies listed should not be construed as an endorsement of any health benefit.

Prevention of Alzheimer's disease and brain damage

Muira puama is considered a "brain tonic" which  protects the brain in the event of Alzheimer's disease .

In mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, muira puama extract helped:

Prevent cognitive impairment

Decrease amyloid plaque deposits in the brain

Decrease the loss of the hippocampus (memory center of the brain) caused by amyloid plaques.

Inhibition of enzymes that degrade acetylcholine in the brain (hippocampus and striatum), similar to how treatments for Alzheimer's disease work.

In mice, antioxidants in muira puama were able to cross the blood-brain barrier and reduce damaging oxidative stress.

In isolated rat brain slices, muira puama extract protected brain cells from oxidative stress induced by lack of glucose and oxygen.

Memory improvement

Muira puama improves memory retrieval without interfering with acquisition or consolidation in mice. Old mice given muira puama showed greater memory improvement than young mice without muira puama.

Muira puama also restored memory in mice with drug-induced brain damage (scopolamine and MK801).

Additionally, muira puama + a 5-HT2A blocker is as effective as two blockers, which is the treatment used to improve memory consolidation.

In cellular studies, certain constituents of muira puama (hemiacetal ptychonal and ptychonal) promoted neuron growth by increasing NGF.

Stress, anxiety and depression

Chronic stress can lead to HPA axis dysfunction, which is often found in depression. In mice, an extract of muira puama  treated stress-induced depression  as effectively as an antidepressant (imipramine).

Stress increases cortisol and blood sugar. Muira puama prevented the stress-induced rise in cortisol and blood sugar in mice.

Muira puama reduced anxiety behaviors that mice exhibit after exposure to stress.

Reduction of cholesterol and body fat

In rats, muira puama reduced fat deposition and total cholesterol, and increased lean body mass.

A case report of a 45-year-old man taking 50–100 mg of muira puama resin twice daily for three months reported that the man:

• Gained 5 kg of muscle mass
• Decreased body fat percentage from 18 to 13%.
• Lowering bad cholesterol (LDL)
• Increase in good cholesterol (HDL)

Healing of bone fractures

In rats with bone fractures, a herbal supplement containing muira puama, guarana, ginger and citrulline promoted fracture healing by stimulating cells that repair bone tissue (osteoblasts).

In postmenopausal rats, the same herbal mixture helped prevent fractures by reducing bone loss.