Muira Puama, Bark (Croton echioides) – Dried Herb, Wildcrafted

Muira Puama also know by the names Marapuama, Muira Puma and Mirantã, translating roughly to “potency wood”, is a small understory tree that grows to 5 metres high with white flowers that have a pungent fragrance like Jasmine. Muira Puama is native to the Northeastern Brazil and is from the spurge family or Euphorbiaceae, which includes Castor oil plant and the rubber tree.

Muira Puama’s stem’s and bark have been used by the Native peoples along the Brazilian Amazon’s Rio Negro river for centuries for its relaxing qualities and as a tonic herb to help support the reproductive system.  As a tonic for the central nervous system disorders, to stimulate the CNS to increase memory, focus and physical stamina, to treat rheumatism, and cardiac and gastrointestinal weakness. Muira Puama has been in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia since the 1950s.

Early European explorers noted the indigenous uses and the aphrodisiac qualities of Muira Puama and brought it back to Europe, where it has become part of herbal medicine in England and is listed in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.

Properties

The taste and energetics of Muira Puama are sweet, warming, stimulating, calming and astringent. Muira Puama has an affinity to the kidneys, nervous system, brain, circulatory system, heart, musculoskeletal system, digestive system, endocrine system and reproductive system of both men and women. As a male tonic combine Muira Puama with Sarsaparilla, Nettle Root, Red Maca, Ashwagandha or Horny Goat Weed. For a female tonic combine Muira Puama with Ashwagandha, Sarsaparilla, Shatavari, Rose, Yellow Maca or Siberian Ginseng.

How to use

1 teaspoon of Muira Puama to one cup of boiling water. Simmer for 15 minutes, strain and drink up to three cups a day.

A root decoction can be used in baths – soak in a tepid bath with 1-2 cups of tea.

Apply externally as a poultice or wash.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or illness. Please consult your health care provider prior to the use of this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications or have a medical condition. Individual results may vary.