Marapuama

Thirteed species of tropical trees and shrubs belong to this S American gneus. Little is known about Ptychopetalum olacoides, although it has a long history of use in the Amazonian region. It has been popular in modern herbal medicine since the 1920s. Ptychopetalum uncinatum and Dulacia inopiflora syn. Liriosma ovata ar used in similar ways. The active constituents are reported to include long-chain fatty acids, alkaloids, sterols, essential oils, and coumarin.

Rainforest understory tree with gray, fissured trunk, and oblong, rather leathery, dark brown leaves, 6-8cm (2½-3in) long. Tiny white, jasmine-scented flowers are followed by orange yellow fruits.


Common Name:
Marapuama
Other Names:
Muira Puama, Potency Wood
Botanical Name:
Ptychopetalum olacoides
Genus:
Ptychopetalum
Family:
Olacaceae
Native Location:
Amazonian Columbia, Venezuela, Peru, Brazil
Cultivation:
Moist soil in shade. This species does not appear to be in cultivation.
Harvest:
Roots, bark, wood, and balsam are collected for liquid extracts.
Height:
5-15m (15-50ft)
:Width
3-5m (10-15ft)
Hardiness:
Min. 15-18°C (60-65°F)
Parts Used:
Roots, bark, wood, balsam
Properties:
A spicy, warming astringent herb that has aphrodisiac and stimulant effects, probably acting mainly on kidney energy.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for impotence, infertility, paralysis and other central nervous system disorders, menstrual problems, rheumatism, and dysentery.
Bibliography:
Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pp 335-336