# Plant Monograph: Catuaba Bark
**Name of plant:**
Catuaba bark
**Catch phrase (Carmina Gadelica or traditional invocation if available):**
**“Bark of strength, awaken the body and renew the spirit.”**
No Carmina Gadelica invocation is associated with catuaba. Catuaba belongs to the medicinal traditions of Brazil, where the name refers to several different plants. The traditional reputation of *Trichilia catigua* is particularly associated with vitality, stamina, nervous strength and sexual vigour.
**Family:**
Meliaceae
**Genus and species:**
*Trichilia catigua* A. Juss.
**Other names:**
* Catuaba
* Big catuaba
* Catuaba bark
* Catigua
* Catiguá
* Catuama
* Catuaba-verdadeira
* *Trichilia catigua*
* Brazilian catuaba
**Important botanical note:**
“Catuaba” is not botanically unambiguous. More than twenty Brazilian species have been sold or described under the name. Other plants historically associated with the name include *Anemopaegma arvense* (Bignoniaceae) and *Erythroxylum vacciniifolium* (Erythroxylaceae). Commercial authentication is therefore important.
**Brief introduction:**
*Trichilia catigua* is a Brazilian tree of the Meliaceae family whose bark is widely used as “catuaba.” The bark is traditionally prepared as a decoction or incorporated into alcoholic herbal preparations known as *garrafadas*.
Brazilian folk medicine traditionally regards catuaba as a tonic and stimulant for fatigue, stress, nervous exhaustion, memory difficulties and sexual weakness. Modern research has concentrated particularly on antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antidepressant and possible cognitive effects.
Despite its reputation as an aphrodisiac, **human clinical evidence demonstrating enhanced sexual function is limited**, and much of the pharmacological evidence remains preclinical.
**Traditional uses:**
* Used as a general tonic for fatigue and physical weakness.
* Traditionally used for nervous exhaustion, stress and nervousness.
* Used as an aphrodisiac and for sexual weakness or impotence.
* Traditionally employed for poor memory and mental fatigue.
* Used traditionally for digestive complaints.
**Historical use:**
* Brazilian folk medicine used preparations of the bark as a restorative tonic.
* Bark decoctions were traditionally taken for sexual weakness and loss of vitality.
* Alcoholic macerations of bark (*garrafadas*) became a characteristic method of preparation.
* Traditional use included nervous complaints such as agitation, nervousness, insomnia and mental fatigue.
* Catuaba became widely commercialized in Brazilian herbal tonics and aphrodisiac preparations during the twentieth century.
**Parts used and method of use:**
* Stem bark.
* Occasionally other aerial portions in traditional preparations.
Used as:
* Decoction of the dried bark.
* Infusion or hot-water extract.
* Alcoholic maceration (*garrafada*).
* Powdered bark incorporated into traditional tonic preparations.
**Use in healing (modern herbal practice):**
* Traditionally used as a tonic for fatigue and reduced physical stamina.
* Investigated for stress-related fatigue.
* Investigated experimentally for memory and cognitive function.
* Investigated for antidepressant, antinociceptive and neuroprotective activity.
* Traditionally used as an aphrodisiac and sexual tonic, although clinical evidence remains insufficient.
A 2018 study found antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antifatigue effects in experimental models, but these findings should **not be equated with demonstrated clinical efficacy in humans**.
**Pharmacology and biochemistry:**
* **Flavan-3-ols:** catechin, epicatechin and procyanidin B2.
* **Flavalignans/cyclolignans:** including cinchonain derivatives.
* **Tannins and phenolic compounds:** major contributors to the bark's antioxidant profile.
Mechanisms:
* Polyphenols demonstrate significant free-radical scavenging and antioxidant activity in experimental systems.
* Extracts demonstrate inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase in laboratory models, providing a possible biochemical basis for traditional cognitive and nervous-system applications.
* Experimental studies demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and neuroprotective effects.
**Overall profile:**
Catuaba bark is best characterized as a **traditional Brazilian tonic with antioxidant and experimental neuroactive properties**. Its phytochemistry is dominated by polyphenols, flavan-3-ols, tannins and flavalignans. Laboratory and animal research provides plausible mechanisms for some traditional applications, but **human clinical evidence remains limited**, particularly for the famous aphrodisiac claims.
**Common dosage:**
* **Dried bark, decoction:** approximately 2–5 g dried bark prepared as a traditional tea.
* **Powdered bark:** approximately 1–3 g as a traditional preparation.
* **Tincture/fluid extract:** dosage varies considerably according to extraction ratio and alcohol concentration.
* **Alcoholic maceration (*garrafada*):** traditionally taken in small quantities; there is no standardized evidence-based dose.
Because commercial “catuaba” may contain different species, **dosage cannot safely be standardized by the common name alone**.
**Safety factors (including side effects):**
* Botanical authentication is important because “catuaba” may refer to several different species with different chemistry.
* Gastrointestinal upset, nausea or headache may occur with concentrated preparations.
* Alcoholic *garrafadas* introduce the additional risks associated with alcohol.
* Pregnancy and breastfeeding should be avoided because adequate safety data are lacking.
* Long-term daily medicinal use has not been sufficiently studied to establish safety.
**First aid / adverse reaction response:**
* **Mild nausea or stomach discomfort:** discontinue use and monitor symptoms.
* **Headache, dizziness or agitation:** discontinue use and seek advice if symptoms persist.
* **Persistent vomiting or diarrhea:** stop the preparation and maintain appropriate hydration.
* **Suspected reaction to an unidentified commercial catuaba product:** discontinue use and retain the product for identification by a healthcare professional or poison-control service.
* **Difficulty breathing, facial swelling or severe allergic reaction:** seek emergency medical attention immediately.
**Drug interactions:**
* Experimental inhibition of monoamine oxidase suggests a **theoretical interaction with MAO-inhibiting medicines**, although the clinical significance of ordinary catuaba preparations is unknown.
* Experimental acetylcholinesterase inhibition suggests a theoretical interaction with medicines affecting cholinergic transmission.
* Concentrated extracts may theoretically interact with medicines affecting the central nervous system.
* Because standardized clinical interaction studies are lacking, concentrated extracts should be used cautiously with prescription medicines.
**Horticultural requirements:**
* **USDA / Canadian zone:** Approximately USDA zones 10–12; generally unsuitable for outdoor cultivation through Canadian winters.
* **Soil pH:** Approximately 5.5–7.0.
* **Light requirements:** Full sun to partial shade.
* **Moisture:** Moderate moisture with good drainage; tropical/subtropical growing conditions preferred.
**Other notes (growth habit, harvest timing, etc.):**
* **Growth habit:** Small to medium-sized tropical/subtropical tree with a woody trunk and evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage depending upon climate.
* **Flowering/fruiting:** Small flowers occur in inflorescences and are followed by characteristic fruits containing seeds.
* **Harvest timing:** Bark should be harvested sustainably from mature cultivated material rather than ring-barking wild trees.
* **Habitat:** Brazilian forests, woodland and transitional vegetation, particularly in central and southern regions.
* **Propagation/cultivation notes:** Propagation is generally by seed. Requires warm temperatures, fertile soil and protection from frost. Commercial cultivation is preferable to destructive wild harvesting.
**Sampling of clinical reports / studies:**
* **Clinical evidence:** Human clinical evidence for *Trichilia catigua* is limited; traditional claims concerning fatigue, cognition and sexual function have not been adequately established through large controlled clinical trials.
* **Pharmacological study:** Experimental research has demonstrated antioxidant, anticholinesterase, antifatigue, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and neuroprotective effects.
* **Phytochemical study:** Bark contains catechin, epicatechin, procyanidin B2, cinchonain derivatives, chlorogenic acid, tannins, flavonoids and other phenolic constituents.
* **Ethnobotanical evidence:** Brazilian traditional medicine documents catuaba bark as a tonic for fatigue, stress, memory problems, nervous complaints and sexual weakness.
* **Overall assessment of evidence:** **Strong ethnobotanical tradition and substantial preclinical pharmacological evidence, but limited human clinical evidence. Botanical identification is a major concern because “catuaba” is a common name applied to numerous Brazilian species and commercial preparations have historically been found to contain species other than those listed on their labels.**
Educational Use Only: The information presented on this page is provided for educational, historical, and informational purposes only. ArdNemeton na Tuatha and Bhùth Draoi do not provide medical advice. Always consult your physician and pharmacist before using any herb, mushroom, supplement, or botanical product for medicinal purposes. Traditional uses described herein do not constitute medical claims.