CATUABA
Catuaba is the name of one of the most famous of Brazilian
herbs, known to the indigenous Tupi Indians as the 'tree of love' or
the 'tree of togetherness'.
Catuaba is a medium-sized, vigorous
tree, known by two botanical names in Brazil, Anemopaegma Mirandum
and Erthyroxylum Catuaba. It produces pretty yellow and orange
flowers and small, dark yellow, oval-shaped inedible fruit.
Catuaba grows in the northern part of
Brazil, the Amazon, Para, Pernambuco, Bahia, Maranhao, and Alagoas.
Like many South American herbs in use today, Catuaba has had a long
history of use, and one that has been widespread.
The Tupi Indians are credited with
first discovering the qualities of this plant, and over the past
centuries they have composed many songs praising its wonders, but
its use is not restricted to just the Indigenous population. Urban
dwellers have used Catuaba for generations. In the state of Minas,
there is a local saying that translates as the following; “Until a
father reaches 60, the son is his; after that, the son is Catuaba’s".
It is the tree bark that is used as a remedy for low energy and
libido.
In Brazil today Catuaba is still
immensely popular with couples. The constituents found in Catuaba
are many, and include alkaloids, tannins, aromatic oils and fatty
resins, cyclolignans, and a chemical Brazilian scientists named
Ioimbina. Rio Catuaba is available in tea, or the popular vegicaps.
We recommend Catuaba for couples of all ages, and as a general
tonic.
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