Catuaba is a medium-sized vigorous growing tree in the Amazon Rain Forest. In Brazilian herbal medicine, Catuaba is considered a central nervous system stimulant with aphrodisiac properties and used for sexual impotency, agitation, nervousness, poor memory or forgetfulness, and sexual weakness and lowered libido in both men and women. Catuaba produces pretty yellow and orange flowers, and small, oval, dark yellow fruit. It is rich in active and beneficial phytochemicals which occur naturally in this plant. For thousands of years, the Native Amazon Indians have used Catuaba as a strong tonic for the entire body but primarily for the nervous system. Herbalists and health practitioners in the U.S. use Catuaba in much the same way; as a tonic for the genitals as well as a central nervous system stimulant, for sexual impotence, general exhaustion and fatigue, for insomnia related to hypertension, agitation, and poor memory. Catuaba belongs to the family Erythroxylaceae, whose principal genus Erythroxylon contains several species and varieties of which are the source of cocaine. Catuaba, however, contains none of the active cocaine alkaloids. The constituents found in Catuaba include a bitter substance, alkaloids, tannins, aromatic oils and fatty resins; phytosterols, cyclolignans and a Brazilian scientist named it Ioimbina. Clinical studies on Catuaba have found very interesting results involving its antibacterial and antiviral properties. |
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Fo-Ti is a plant native to China where it continues to be widely grown. Traditional Chinese herbalists place great emphasis on the shape and age of the roots, with the older roots being in greater demand. The unprocessed root is sometimes used. However, once it has been boiled in a special liquid made from black beans, it is considered a superior and rather different medicine according to traditional Chinese medicine. The unprocessed root is sometimes called "White Fo-Ti," and the processed root is "Red Fo-Ti." The Chinese common name for Fo-Ti, he-shou-wu, was the name of a Tang dynasty man whose infertility was supposedly cured by Fo-Ti; in addition, his long life was attributed to the tonic properties of this herb. Since then, traditional Chinese medicine uses Fo-Ti to treat premature aging, weakness, vaginal discharges, numerous infectious diseases, angina pectoris, and impotence. Fo-Ti contains a number of glycosides that account for the herbs use as a remedy for stomach disorders and constipation. Researchers suspect that the roots may contain compounds with mild cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory effects. The whole root has been shown to lower cholesterol levels, according to animal and human research, as well as to decrease hardening of the arteries, or arteriosclerosis. Other Fo-Ti research has investigated this herb's role in strong immune function, red blood cell formation, and antibacterial action. |
