Muira Puama Bark

Croton echioides is a small tree native to northeastern Brazil. Its stem’s bark has been widely used for centuries for its beneficial properties and is considered an appropriate substitute for Ptychopetalum olacoides. Muira puama is energetically warming and has a reputation for its relaxing qualities and as a tonic herb to help support the functioning of the reproductive system. Muira puama bark is typically prepared as a tincture. It can also be decocted as muira puama tea or applied topically.

Muira puama is an understory tree in the Amazonian rain forest. Growing 15 feet (5 meters) high, it bears white flowers with an intense scent of jasmine. The bark and root are employed in the traditional herbal practices of the jungle. Can be taken as a tea, but more effective if used as a tincture. Take the tincture with a small amount of warm water to which you have added a little lemon juice. This assists absorption of the beneficial tannins. Another convenient form is a capsule. The native peoples of the Amazon who use muira puama combine it with catuaba, allowing the mixture to stand in warm water overnight to make an amber infusion.