Quebracho Extract - An Aphrodisiac for Women

Cultures across the world believe that certain substances have the power to heighten sexual desire or even improve sexual performance in humans. Known as aphrodisiacs, these substances may range from foods to herbs and animal parts. Quebracho is one such herb which has since ancient times been used in the South American continent as an aphrodisiac especially for women.

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About quebracho

The botanical name of the tree from which the aphrodisiacal herb is extracted is Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco and it belongs to the Apocynaceae family of trees. Quebracho is a native of the South American continent and is particularly found in the northern regions of Argentina. The bark of the tree contains chemical compounds which are reputed to have aphrodisiacal properties and thus forms the source of the herb which has been used for long among South American tribes as libido enhancer for both men and women. The quebracho wood is extremely hard and is much valued in the construction industry. In fact the name quebracho is derived from the Spanish phrase “Quebra Hacha” which means “axe breaker” and is thus an indication of the hardness of its wood.

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How quebracho works as an aphrodisiac

The bark of the quebracho tree contains small amounts of the phytochemical yohimbine which has proven aphrodisiacal properties. The alkaloid yohimbine is the main active ingredient in the African yohimbe tree and has also been approved for treatment for sexual dysfunction in United States under the standardized form of yohimbine hydrochloride. Medical research shows that yohimbine works as a sexual stimulant chiefly by blocking the alpha-2 adrenergic receptors and improving the dilation of blood vessels. This leads blood to rush to the sex organs and helps a person to get aroused. In women, the yohimbine in quebracho work to get the clitoris engorged with blood, leading to heightened sexual desire and more sustained arousal. While yohimbe is chiefly considered a strong sexual stimulant for men, aiding the attainment and maintenance of an erection, the smaller quantities of yohimbine in quebracho make the latter a more suitable sexual stimulant for women whose bodies are quick to respond to even the smallest change in chemicals.

Besides aiding the physiological process of sexual arousal, yohimbine is also proven to help in the treatment of low libido. This is because of the chemical’s effect on the central nervous system which leads to the stimulation of the pelvic nerve ganglia and the infusion of greater amounts of adrenaline into the nerve endings. The result is heightened sensitively in the genital areas and longer period of sexual arousal. In fact Atlanta sex therapist Roger Libby PhD, the author of Sex from Aah to Zipper: A Delightful Glossary of Love, Lust and Laughter, says that he encourages women with low sexual desire to explore herbs like yohimbe and quebracho which contain yohimbine.

The fact that quebracho contains yohimbine also helps it to act like a mild anti-depressant. Yohimbine is believed to increase the body’s production of the chemical norepinephrone which is useful in combating limited symptoms of depression. If a person suffers from depression, he or she cannot be expected to take pleasure in sex. Therefore a herb like quebracho which has anti-depressant properties may be useful in alleviating symptoms of depression and thus make a person more responsive to sexual pleasure. An added advantage is that being a natural product, quebracho does not have adverse side effects of anti-depressant drugs which in some cases are believed to result in loss of libido.

Besides its aphrodisiacal effect, quebracho is also reputed to possess other healing properties. It has been traditionally used in the treatment of respiratory disorders, particularly in asthmatic conditions. It has been noted that when a preparation of quebracho is inducted into the circulation, there is a sharp increase in the rate and depth of respiration which may be due the direct action of the herbal constituents on the body’s respiratory center. This makes the herb a potent aid in treating asthmatic conditions. Even though the use of quebracho may not immediately stop an asthmatic paroxysm, used for over a period of time, it may help in reducing the frequency and severity of attacks.

Using quebracho

The herbal formulation of quebracho contains the bark in a powdered form since it is the part which has the greatest concentration of the beneficial properties associated with the plant. The herb is generally consumed in the form of capsules. Because of the lack of wide-ranging scientific studies on the effect of quebracho, the correct dosage of the herb is still not specifically laid down. The right dosage of the herb would depend on several factors like the age of the user, the severity of the conditions for which the herb is being used as well as intake of other drugs or herbal supplements. For all these reasons, correct dosage of quebracho is best laid down by a trained herbal practitioner. Recently there have been instances of using the herb with a vaporizer, the correct procedure of which is again best advised by a healthcare professional.

Possible side effects of quebracho

Since quebracho contains yohimbine, consuming it in large quantities may lead to adverse effects. Overdose of yohimbine either in herbal or pharmaceutical form has been known to cause panic attacks, hallucinations, skin flushing and in extreme cases even seizures and renal failure. While the amount of yohimbine in quebracho is limited, even then the latter may lead to side effects like drooling, headache, outbreaks of sweating and excessive sleepiness. In very high doses quebracho may even result in nausea and dizziness. Moreover it is not recommended for women who are either pregnant or lactating because of the lack of scientific studies detailing the effect of quebracho in these conditions.

Quebracho has been used for hundreds of years by the people of South America. The wide ranging benefits from the tree have led it to be used as a healing agent, an aphrodisiac and for building purposes. In fact the indigenous tribes of the continent held the tree in high regard and considered it to be the abode of very powerful nature spirits. The traditional belief in the properties of quebracho has been validated to some extent by modern use and is increasingly being explored in ongoing research.