Muirapuama or marapuama (Ptychopetalum olacoides, Olacaceae) is a plant found in the northern and northeastern regions of Brazil, and has been traditionally used by Amazonian communities as a “nerve tonic”. Popularly all parts of the plant have been used as a drug because of their pharmacological properties, but the bark and root are preferred structures. The indigenous tribes of Brazil use the barks and roots infused with various purposes, such as sexual impotence treatment, neuromuscular disorders, rheumatism, cardiac and gastrointestinal asthenia. Also, other indications of use for the treatment of neuralgia, partial paralysis, aphrodisiac, dyspepsia, menstrual disorders, exhaustion, immunostimulant, sexual disorders and nervous depression are also reported. Alcoholic infusions prepared from P. olacoides  are widely consumed in the Amazon as a treatment for central nervous system (CNS)-related conditions, principally by people recuperating from conditions associated with damage of the CNS (such as stroke) or to combat high stress.

CONSTITUENTS: The phytochemical profile of P. olacoides comprises: Alkaloids: muirapuamine; Xanthines: caffeine, theobromine, and adenine; Organic acids: arachnical, lignoceric, uncosanic, tricosanic and pentacosanic; Tannins: flobafen; diterpenes: clerodans; triterpenes: glutinol and α-amirin; Fatty acids: palmitic, stearic, behenic; Steroids: sitosterol, sitosterol glycoside, stigmasterol, campesterol and lupeol; Volatile oil: α-pinene, α-humulene, β-pinene, camphene, β-caryophyllene; and flavonoids and coumarins.

LATIN NAME: Ptychopetalum olacoides

USED PARTS: Bark

DRYING METHOD: Spray Drying

RATIO: 1:1

CARRIER: Maltodextrin (soluble) or Tapioca (starch) (insoluble)

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: alkaloids, xanthines, organic acids, tannins, diterpenes, triterpenes, fatty acids, steroids, volatile oils, flavonoids and coumarins.

PROPERTIES: P. olacoides is believed have potential of a powerfull “brain tonic” because it is capable bring about the recovery of cognitive and motor deficits after brain injuries (such as stroke), as well as enhance cognitive functions, such as alertness and memory, in elderly.  Cognitive impairment during normal aging as well as in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease are associated with the degeneration of the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons and one possible strategy for the enhancement of brain cholinergic activity is the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.  A recent study was show evidences that P. olacoides ethanol extract has potential to inhibit in vitro acetylcholinesterase activity. This plant is also widely employed because of its aphrodisiac properties and its ability to counteract sexual impotence.  P. olacoides also is considered as an adaptogen and therefore used as a remedy for asthenia and neurasthenia and has been exhibited antioxidant properties both in vitro and in vivo. Extracts of P. olacoides, standardized on total flavonoids, have also been used in cosmetic formulations due to their antioxidant, vasoprotective and anti-cellulite properties and also for their effectiveness in preparations for the prevention of hair loss.

PREPARATION: Dosage and Use:

• Intern use:

- Decoct and infusions: 20g for 1L of water: 50 to 200ml daily

- Powder: up to 2g per day with maximum unit doses of 0.5g

- Dry extract: up to 0,2g in doses 0,05g

- Tincture to 20% in alcohol 60º doses of 2.5 g two to three times a day not exceeding 10g daily

- Fluid extract (1g = 52 drops) usual dose half a gram two to three times a day no exceeding 2 g per day

• External use:

- Tincture: in local frictions in rheumatic pains

- Decoct: baths: 50 to 60g of the ground root for each liter of water

- Cosmetic: Against hair loss

APPLICATIONS: Nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, medicinal herb, medicinal plant, phytoterapic, pharmaceutical

PRECAUTIONS: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking muirapuama if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

For educational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.