Catuaba is a medium-sized vigorous growing tree in the northern part of Brazil, the Amazon, Para, Pernambuco, Bahia, Maranhao, and Alagoas.⁽¹⁾ It produces pretty yellow and orange flowers, and small, oval, dark yellow inedible fruit. Catuaba is known by two botanical names in Brazil, Juniperus brasiliensis and Erythroxylum catuaba.^{(1, 2)} Catuaba belongs to family Erythroxylaceae whose principal genus, Erythroxylon, contains several species and varieties of which are the source of cocaine.⁽³⁾ Catuaba, however, contains none of the active cocaine alkaloids.

Catuaba has a long history in herbal medicine as an aphrodisiac. The Tupi Indians in Brazil first discovered the qualities of the plant and over the last centuries, have composed many songs praising it's wonders.⁽¹⁾ Indigenous people and local people have used Catuaba for generations and it is the most famous of all Brazilian aphrodisiaca plants. In the state of Minas there is a saying which goes, "Until a father reaches 60, the son is his, after that the son is Catuaba's."⁽¹⁾ According to Dr. Meira Penna, Catuaba "functions as a stimulant of the nervous system, above all when one deals with functional impotence of the male genital organs... it is an innocent aphrodisiac, used without any ill effects at all.⁽⁴⁾

In Brazilian herbal medicine today, Catuaba is considered a central nervous system stimulant with aphrodisiac properties and a bark decoction is used for sexual impotency, agitation, nervousness, neurasthenia, poor memory or forgetfulness, and sexual weakness.⁽²⁾ It is regarded as an aphrodisiac with "proven efficacy," and in addition to treating impotency, it is employed for many types of nervous conditions including insomnia, hypochondria, and pain related to the central nervous system.⁽⁵⁾ In European herbal medicine, Catuaba is considered an aphrodisiac, and a brain and nerve stimulant with a bark tea used for sexual weakness, impotency, nervous debility and exhaustion.⁽⁶⁾ 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.^(7-10) According to Michael van Straten, Catuaba is beneficial to men and women as an aphrodisiac, but "it is in the area of male impotence that the most striking results have been reported" and "there is no evidence of side effects, even after long-term use."⁽¹⁰⁾

The constituents found in Catuaba include a bitter substance, alkaloids, tannins, aromatic oils and fatty resins, phytosterols, cyclolignans and a chemical Brazilian scientists named, Ioimbina.^{(11, 12)} Clinical studies on Catuaba have found very interesting results involving its antibacterial and antiviral properties. A clinical study conducted in 1992 indicated that an extract of catuaba was effective in protecting mice from lethal infections of Escherichia coli and Staphlococcus aureus, in addition to significantly inhibiting HIV.⁽¹³⁾ The study found that Catuaba's anti-HIV activity was shown to be induced, at least in part, via the inhibition of HIV absorption to the cells and suggested that Catuaba extract has potential against opportunistic infection in HIV patients.⁽¹³⁾

1 "This nervous system fortifier and male libido enhancer has resulted in the Tupi Indians of Brazil praising its wonders in many songs. Historical uses include its use as a male aphrodisiac and a tonic to the male organs. It is also used for male impotency. It is a strong tonic and fortifier of the nervous system, capable of giving strength to people with general fatigue. It helps eliminate restless sleep and insomnia from hypertension, and has been known to help failing memories." 2 "Catuaba is excellent for the male reproductive organs. It can increase circulation and libido. It is famous as a stimulant to the nervous system and brain. It can be used in cases of impotence." 3 "ACTIONS: Stimulates nervous system, Fortifies functions of make genital organs
TRADITIONAL USE: Catuaba, a famous Brazilian herb, functions as a male hormone stimulant and has been used in cases of impotence. Tupi Indians have composed many songs praising the wonders of Catuaba. Famous as a stimulant to the nervous system and a male libido enhancer. Fortifies conditions of general weakness and nervous exhaustion by activating cerebral hemispheres. Tonic for the male organs. Catuaba functions as a fortifier to the nervous system.
MERIDIAN INDICATIONS: Heat to Triple Warmer, Clears mist from Upper Burner, Warms male organs. EVA POINTS: Bladder 65, Triple Warmer, Circulation" 8 "There are two species of Catuaba. Both species of Catuaba are effective. Brazilian uses and Folklore: There is a saying in the state of Minas that goes, "Until a father reaches 60, the son is his, after that the son is Catuaba's". Undoubtedly the most famous of all Brazilian aphrodisiac plants, Catuaba has been appreciated by the local population for generations. The Tupi Indians first discovered the qualities of the plant and composed many songs praising it. Meira Penna states ". . the bark of Catuaba (functions) as a stimulant of the nervous system, above all when one deals with functional impotence of the male genital organs" he concludes, "it is an innocent aphrodisiac, used without any ill side effects at all."* Catuaba is a natural aphrodisiac and sexual stimulant. It is reported that after drinking 3-4 cups of tea steadily over a period of time the first symptoms are usually erotic dreams, and then increased sexual desire. Uses: Influential in the treatment of sexual impotence; aphrodisiac, tonic for the genitals.
*Chiang Sing, Cura com Yoga e Plantas Medicinais (Freitas Bastos, Rio de Janeiro, 1979) p. 126." 11 "Three herbs from the Amazon act as aphrodisiacs and have traditionally been used for impotence: Marapuama, Catuaba and Cajueiro.Catuaba is used not only for male impotency, but also as a tonic for the male organs and nervous system. It has been used for extreme fatigue". 21 "ERYTHROXYLACEAE
Coca Farnily
The three or four genera and 260 species of trees and shrubs occur primarily in tropical America, centered in the Andes and the Amazon basin. Some are found also in Africa, southeast Asia and Australia. The principal genus is Erythroxylon, several species and varieties of which are the source of cocaine. The leaves of one species are used as a stimulant by the Indians in the Andes and the western Amazon; they were widely employed for this purpose long before the Spanish arrived in Peru. A review of the constituents of the family and its taxomony has been published (Hegnauer, 1981). Erythroxylon P. Browne
The 250 species occur in tropical and subtropical parts of both hemispheres, mainly in the Americas and Madagascar. They are shrubs or small to medium-sized trees, usually unarmed.
REFERENCES
Hegnauer, R., J. Ethnopharmacol. 3 (1981) 279."

Effects of Catuaba extracts on microbial and HIV infection.
Manabe H; Sakagami H; Ishizone H; Kusano H; Fujimaki M; Wada C; Komatsu N; Nakashima H; Murakami T; Yamamoto N
Horiuchi Itaro & Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.
In Vivo, 6: 2, 1992 Mar-Apr, 161-5
Abstract:
Pretreatment of mice with hot water and alkaline extracts of Catuaba casca (Erythroxylum catuaba Arr. Cam.) effectively protected them from lethal infection of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The extracts significantly inhibited both the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-induced cytopathic effect and the expression of HIV antigen in HIV-1HTLV-IIIB or HIV-2ROD infected human lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1) positive MT-4 cells. The 50% effective concentrations of the active fractions (21-263 micrograms/ml) were 1/4 - 1/43 of their 50% cytotoxic concentrations. Their anti-HIV activity was shown to be induced, at least in part, via the inhibition of HIV absorption to the cells. The data suggest a medicinal potential of Catuaba extracts against opportunistic infection in HIV patients.