Muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) is a small tree native to the Brazilian Amazon, where its roots and bark have been used in teas and herbal mixtures for centuries. It’s often called “the potency wood” of the Amazon, and has a long history of traditional use in Brazilian folk medicine for sexual function and vitality — in both men and women.
What Is Muira Puama Traditionally Used For?
Traditional Amazonian medicine used muira puama root and bark as a general tonic for vitality and as a support for sexual function and desire. It’s one of the herbs, alongside wild oats, ginkgo biloba, and yohimbe, in our Male Enlargement Formula blend, and is also available as a single-herb extract on its own.
Muira Puama Benefits for Men
For men, muira puama’s traditional use centers on supporting libido, stamina, and overall sexual vitality. An honest note on testosterone: despite how often the question comes up, there’s no established evidence that muira puama raises testosterone levels — its traditional use is around general vitality and sexual function, not hormone levels specifically. We’d rather tell you that plainly than overstate it.
Muira Puama Benefits for Women
Muira puama’s traditional use isn’t limited to men — it has an equally long history of use by women in Brazilian folk medicine for supporting libido and sexual wellness. It’s a genuinely dual-use herb, not a male-only supplement with a secondary use case tacked on.
How to Take Muira Puama Extract
Our alcohol-free extract is taken at a half milliliter (1/2ml) three times daily, for a total of one and a half milliliters (1-1/2ml) per day. The taste can be strong — mixing it into tea, juice, or water makes it easier to take consistently, which matters more than the exact timing. Like any herbal routine, this is a gradual process measured in weeks, not days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does muira puama increase testosterone?
There’s no real evidence for this specific claim. It’s traditionally used for general vitality and libido support, which is a different thing from a hormone-level claim we can’t substantiate.
Is muira puama safe for women?
Yes — it has a long history of traditional use by women specifically, not just as a men’s supplement. As with any supplement, check with your doctor if you’re pregnant, nursing, or taking other medications.
What’s the difference between the single-herb extract and the Male Enlargement Formula?
The single-herb extract is pure muira puama on its own. The Male Enlargement Formula combines it with wild oats, ginkgo biloba, and yohimbe in one blend. Either is a reasonable starting point — the single extract if you want to isolate how muira puama specifically affects you, the formula if you’d rather start with the fuller traditional combination.
For more on the other herbs traditionally used for sexual health, see our Top Herbs for Sexual Health & Libido guide.
*INDIVIDUAL RESULTS MAY VARY. STATEMENTS IN THIS WEBSITE HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THE FDA DOES NOT EVALUATE OR TEST HERBS AND HEALTH FOODS. THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. FOR DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN. USE HERBS IN MODERATION AND WATCH FOR ALLERGIC REACTIONS. REMEMBER THAT DIET, EXERCISE AND RELAXATION ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO YOUR HEALTH.