Muira puama or marapuama, aka potency wood (Ptychopetalum olacoides), is a shrub native to Brazil that has long been used as a powerful aphrodisiac and nerve stimulant or tonic in folk medicine. A recent clinical study has validated its safety and effectiveness with regard to improving libido and sexual function in men.

At the Institute of Sexology in Paris, France, a clinical study with 262 patients complaining of lack of sexual desire and the inability to attain or maintain an erection demonstrated Muira puama extract (4:1), to be effective in many cases. Within two weeks, at a daily dose of 1 to 1.5mg of extract, 62% of patients with loss of libido claimed that the treatment had dynamic effect while 51% of patients with “erection failures” felt that Muira puama was of benefit.

Presently, the mechanism of action of Muira puama is unknown.