Yohimbe

© Steven Foster

This fact sheet provides basic information about yohimbe—common 

names, what the science says, potential side effects and cautions, and 

resources for more information.

Common Names—yohimbe, yohimbe bark

Latin Name—Pausinystalia yohimbe

The yohimbe tree is a tall evergreen that is native to western Africa. 

The bark of the tree contains a chemical called yohimbine. The 

amount of yohimbine in dietary supplements may vary; some 

yohimbe products have been found to contain very little yohimbine. A 

drug form of yohimbine—yohimbine hydrochloride—has been studied 

for erectile dysfunction.

Yohimbe bark has traditionally been used in Africa as an aphrodisiac 

(to increase sexual desire). Currently it is used as a folk or traditional 

remedy for sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction in men.

As a dietary supplement, the dried bark of the yohimbe tree is made 

into tea and taken by mouth. An extract of the bark is also put into 

capsules and tablets.

What the Science Says 

• It is not known whether yohimbe is effective for any health 

condition because clinical trials have not been conducted on the 

bark or its extract.

Side Effects and Cautions 

• Yohimbe has been associated with high blood pressure, increased 

heart rate, headache, anxiety, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tremors, 

and sleeplessness. Yohimbe can be dangerous if taken in large 

doses or for long periods of time.

• People should not combine yohimbe with monoamine oxidase (MAO) 

inhibitors as effects may be additive. Yohimbe should be used with 

caution when taken with medicines for high blood pressure, tricyclic 

antidepressants, or phenothiazines (a group of medicines used 

mostly for mental health conditions such as schizophrenia).
• People with kidney problems and people with psychiatric conditions should not use yohimbe.

• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take yohimbe.

• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give 

them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure 

coordinated and safe care. For tips about talking with your health care providers about 

complementary and alternative medicine, see NCCAM’s Time to Talk campaign at 

nccam.nih.gov/timetotalk/. 

Sources

Yohimbe. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturaldatabase.com on July 28, 2009.

Yohimbe bark. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. 

Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:429-431.

Yohimbe bark extract. Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturalstandard.com on July 28, 2009.

For More Information

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view Using Dietary Supplements Wisely

(nccam.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm).

NCCAM Clearinghouse

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

PubMed® 

Web site: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov

NIH National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus

Yohimbe Listing: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/759.html

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the 

medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to 

discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of 

any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

National Institutes of Health

♦♦♦

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

D356

Created February 2007

Updated April 2012