Yohimbine Yohimbe is the name of the bark of a tall evergreen tree in western Africa known as Pausinystalia yohimbe or Corynanthe yohimbe. Yohimbe bark has been used for centuries in some western African nations for sexual enhancement. Yohimbe bark has been reported to contain up to 6% total alkaloids, 10-15% of which is yohimbine. In other words, a small percentage of a chemical called yohimbine is found in the bark of the yohimbe tree. Currently yohimbe bark extracts are sold in varying alkaloid concentrations, ranging from plain yohimbe bark powder,to yohimbe 4% extract, yohimbe 8%, and up to yohimbe 20%. The higher the concentration of yohimbe extract, the more potent the yohimbe, and the more likely yohimbe side effects will occur. But then again, the higher percentage yohimbe extracts are more effective at a lower dosage. Some companies promote yohimbe for weight loss. Is Yohimbe only for Men? Yohimbe herb is often thought of for male erectile function. Most people don't realize that yohimbe is also a sexual stimulant in women. Women like the enhanced sensation and engorgement of genital organs that yohimbe provides, as long as the dose is kept low to prevent the yohimbe side effects discussed below Function Aphrodisiac The NIH states that Yohimbine hydrochloride is the standardized form of yohimbine that is available as a prescription medicine in the United States, and has been shown in human studies to be effective in the treatment of male impotence. Yohimbine chloride -- a standardized form of yohimbine-- is a prescription medicine that has been used to treat erectile dysfunction. Controlled studies suggest that it is not always an effective treatment for impotence, and evidence of increased sex drive (libido) is anecdotal only. It cannot be excluded that orally administered yohimbine can have a beneficial effect in some patients with ED.