Catuaba has a long history of traditional use as an aphrodisiac and is the most famous Brazilian plant for this purpose, being used for sexual impotency and weakness. Its name comes from a Guarani word that means “what gives strength to the Indian”.

Catuaba is also considered a nervous system tonic, and is used for agitation, nervousness, insomnia and nerve pain and weakness. In European medicine it is used as a brain stimulant, and used for poor memory and forgetfulness, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Catuaba may be used as a general tonic in cases of debility, exhaustion and fatigue.

This Amazonian plant is in the same family as the Coca plant (the source of Coca tea & cocaine). However, Catuaba does not contain cocaine and is therefore not a restricted plant.