Yohimbe is an extract from the bark of the yohimbe tree, native to Africa, that’s used for erectile dysfunction, low libido, and male sexual wellness.
Many men turn to it as a natural herbal alternative to drugs like Viagra or Cialis, and there’s strong evidence that it exerts an anti-impotence effect.
Yohimbine, the active compound in yohimbe bark, is best-known for its ability to treat erectile dysfunction, but it also appears to be effective for improving sexual wellness overall.
If you’re looking to use yohimbe for erectile dysfunction, fat loss, or depression, our research team has come up with the ten best yohimbe supplements on the market and ranked them for efficacy.
Research
Rankings
1. Team Six Alpha Yohimbine
Team Six offers a yohimbe supplement that has a fairly solid 2 mg dosage per capsule, and aside from the cellulose that makes up the capsule and a small amount of vitamin C to protect the active ingredients from degradation, there are no extra ingredients.
This is a simple, pure, and effective source of yohimbe, and because of this, it’s our number one ranked choice.
2. Primaforce Yohimbine HCl
Primaforce Yohimbine HCl provides a 2.5 mg dosage of pure yohimbine, the active compound in yohimbe bark extract.
The capsules are cellulose-based and have little in the way of additives and binders, making this a very good choice if you are looking for an effective yohimbe supplement that doesn’t come alongside any other supplements or compounds.
3. Nutricost Yohimbine
For those who want a simple, pure, high-dose yohimbine supplement, Nutricost is the answer. The gelatin capsules are extremely pure, with nothing but yohimbine and rice flour included, and the dosage (5 mg per capsule) is twice what you’ll get with many other yohimbe supplements.
If all you want is a high dose of the active compound in yohimbe bark, and no other ingredients, Nutricost Yohimbine is definitely the product for you.
4. Zhou Boost Elite
Among the yohimbe supplements that include yohimbine alongside other herbal and supplemental ingredients for sexual wellness, Zhou Boost Elite is by far the best.
This supplement includes a moderate 1.5 mg dose of yohimbine alongside other male enhancement supplements like tribulus terrestris, horny goat weed, and fenugreek seed extract.
Many men swear by its efficacy for treating erectile dysfunction, boosting libido, and increasing testosterone levels.
5. Jacked Factory Yohimbine Extra Strength
Jacked Factory provides a solid 125 mg of yohimbe bark, standardized to contain 2% yohimbine (which works out to a pretty typical 2.5 mg dose per capsuled). Among the raw yohimbe bark supplements, this is one of the best.
6. GNC Men’s Yohimbe 451
GNC makes a pretty standard yohimbe bark supplement. At 451 mg of raw bark per capsule, you’ll get 9 mg of the active ingredient, yohimbine.
Without a whole lot distinguishing it from your other options, it’s hard to rank this yohimbe supplement much higher.
7. Natrol Yohimbe Bark
Natrol Yohimbe Bark supplies yohimbe in its raw form, the extract from yohimbe bark.
This may have the benefit of providing yohimbine alongside some of the other compounds present in yohimbe bark, but the lack of information on how much yohimbine is in this supplement—i.e. The purity and concentration of the yohimbe bark extract—makes it hard to compare to some of the other options with more details along this front.
8. Puritan’s Pride Yohimbe 2000
Puritan’s Pride makes a high dose yohimbe supplement that includes yohimbe bark in its raw form.
The dose of raw materials (1000 mg per capsule) is quite high, although like a few other raw yohimbe bark supplements, Puritan’s Pride doesn’t measure how much yohimbine is in the raw materials, making it hard to establish the precise dose of the active ingredient.
While there are a few extra binders and stabilizers, it’s still an okay choice if you want a large amount of raw yohimbe bark in your supplement.
9. Irwin Naturals Yohimbe-Plus Maximum Performance
Irwin Naturals Yohimbe-Plus Maximum Performance is a broad-spectrum sexual performance supplement that uses yohimbe as its mainstay, with 3 mg of yohimbine per capsule as one of its active ingredients.
However, yohimbe isn’t alone in this supplement; it uses several other male sexual wellness compounds, like ashwagandha extract, horny goat weed, and BioPerine for added absorption and bioavailability.
These extras, plus some binders, fillers, and emulsifiers in the gel capsules, make this supplement a little bloated, and while yohimbe can be useful alongside other herbal supplements, Irwin Naturals Yohimbe-Plus isn’t the best combination yohimbe supplement on the market.
10. Nature’s Answer Yohimbe
Nature’s Answer provides yohimbe bark extract in liquid form, which makes it stand out from the competition. Unfortunately, the liquid form is not going to be the best solution for most people.
Given that the recommended serving size is so small (1 mL), it’s going to be very hard to precisely measure out an effective dosage.
On top of that, the actual yohimbine content isn’t disclosed, so it’s hard to compare your dosage of this compound to other yohimbe supplements.
The niche uses of liquid yohimbe might have a place for some people, but most will be better-served by a capsule based yohimbe supplement.
Category winners
Best yohimbe overall: Team Six Alpha Yohimbine
Team Six Alpha Yohimbine is our top choice thanks to its precise formulation and purity. It delivers nothing but pure yohimbe, making it the best call for all-purpose usage.
Best yohimbe for older men: Zhou Boost Elite
Older men benefit from the multi-ingredient strategy used in Zhou Boost Elite. Alongside the libido-boosting effects of yohimbe, Zhou includes compounds like zinc, tongkat ali, and fenugreek seed, which augment androgen levels and boost energy.
Best yohimbe for erectile problems: Nutricost Yohimbine
If you’re specifically looking to use yohimbe as a natural supplement for erectile dysfunction, the higher dose available in Nutricost Yohimbine is worth a try. At twice the typical dose you’ll find in other supplements, it delivers powerful blood flow-boosting compounds when you need them.
Best yohimbe for libido: Team Six Alpha Yohimbine
The purity and strict simplicity of Team Six Alpha Yohimbine is perfect for augmenting your libido—unlike some of the competition, it has no extraneous ingredients, making it great on its own or alongside other male enhancement pills.
Best yohimbe for sexual performance: Team Six Alpha Yohimbine
Team Six Alpha Yohimbine is our pick for sexual performance for the same reason it’s our top pick overall: the simple formulation and effective dosage makes it an incredibly versatile supplement, whether you’re taking it for sexual performance on a regular basis, or just once in a while.
Best yohimbe for higher testosterone: Zhou Boost Elite
Yohimbe often pairs well with other compounds that augment testosterone, and for this application, our favorite pick is Zhou Boost Elite. It uses a comprehensive blend of supplements to boost testosterone, including zinc, maca root, DIM, and ginseng, to name just a few.
Who should buy yohimbe?
Yohimbe is safe for most people looking to improve their sexual performance and overall libido. However, it does have a lot of interactions, so it’s best to speak to your doctor if you are uncertain. Pregnant women and children should avoid Yohimbe due to the lack of studies supporting its safety in this population. Diabetics should avoid yohimbine as well since it can interfere with the medication used to treat this disease.
Persons suffering from any heart, liver, or kidney conditions should not use yohimbine. People with bleeding disorders should avoid it too. People who are undergoing surgery, or who have recently had a procedure should avoid it as yohimbe may increase the likelihood of bleeding. People with blood pressure issues should also avoid yohimbe as it can significantly increase and decrease blood pressure, depending on the dose.
How we ranked
When ranking the best yohimbe supplements, we first looked at the ingredients – specifically the active ingredient yohimbine. According to research, the clinically effective dosage of yohimbine is around 0.15mg/kg of bodyweight. Therefore, we preferred products that offered mourned 1-2mg per serving, like Team Six, as this allowed for the most customizable dose, based on a person’s body weight. More than 2.5mg wasn’t ideal as it offered less flexibility, which is why Irwin Naturals ranked so low.
Added ingredients were also important to consider. While we did prefer pure yohimbe products like Primaforce, we did make an exception for certain products that included beneficial and supportive ingredients alongside yohimbe. This is why Zhou Elite Boost ranked in our top 5, providing potent sexual enhancers, including tribulus terrestris, horny goat weed, and fenugreek seed extract. Team Six ranked well for providing vitamin C in their capsules to protect the yohimbine from degradation so that it gets to where it needs to in the body to be effective.
Lastly, we looked at the delivery method. In general, we preferred capsules like Nutricost, as they provided the easiest and most accurate dosing formula. Liquid formulas, like Nature’s Answer, ranked lower due to the lack of accuracy in dosing.
Benefits
Yohimbe improves erectile dysfunction. By far the stronger area of research supporting the use of a yohimbe supplement is for erectile dysfunction, though it’s also often found in testosterone boosters.
A review study published in 2000 in the International Journal of Impotence Research provided a summary of the research on yohimbe and discussed its mechanism of action (1). According to the author, yohimbe acts both in the central and peripheral nervous systems to enhance sexual arousal, countering the effects of erectile dysfunction.
A number of clinical trials have been conducted on men with sexual impotence, such as one published in the Journal of Urology by researchers at Brown University (2).
The clinical trial recruited 82 men with erectile dysfunction and followed them for several weeks. The researchers found that yohimbe improved sexual performance in about one in three of the men on yohimbe, compared to almost none of the men taking the placebo.
The researchers noted that the effects of yohimbe appeared to take two to three weeks to take effect, and appeared to work among men whose erectile dysfunction had different root causes: one had low testosterone, while others had arterial insufficiency.
This is promising, since it indicates that yohimbe could be useful regardless of the reasons behind your erectile dysfunction.
Yohimbe may not work for all cases of erectile dysfunction, but its benefits appear to be consistent across many different studies. A review article published in the Journal of Urology by two researchers at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom conducted a systematic review of all of the clinical trials conducted to date (3).
Their review found that the benefits of yohimbe are fairly reliable, and the evidence supports a benefit to yohimbe compared to placebo when it comes to treating erectile dysfunction.
Further, they concluded that yohimbe was safe, and that adverse effects were rare and reversible. They concede that yohimbe won’t work for all cases of erectile dysfunction, but given that the cost benefit ratio looks favorable, they recommend considering yohimbe as a reasonable option for treating erectile dysfunction.
Yohimbe can treat other forms of sexual dysfunction as well. Early research supporting yohimbe as a treatment for sexual dysfunction beyond just erectile dysfunction came out of animal models of erectile and sexual dysfunction, like one study published in the journal Science (4).
This study demonstrated that rats supplemented with yohimbe showed an increased interest in sexual activity, and the researchers showed that yohimbe acted on a number of specific biochemical pathways involved in sexual motivation.
This led to other research, such as a 1997 clinical trial in the Archives of Sexual Behavior that studied two groups of men randomly assigned either a yohimbe supplement or a placebo (5).
The researchers noted an increase in sexual activity and increases in sexual desire, a finding that was consistent with the previous research into animal models. This is similar to some of the libido-boosting effects of other herbal extracts like tribulus terrestris.
These studies support the idea that yohimbe is useful for sexual dysfunction beyond just erectile dysfunction—yohimbe bark could actually increase your interest in sexual activity, and increase your ability to feel sexually aroused.
Side effects
One of the benefits of the raft of research and clinical trials into yohimbe bark is that its side effect profile is fairly well-characterized.
Side effects are rare, and when they do occur they are usually mild, but it’s not a risk-free supplement. A case study and review published in 2009 in the Journal of Medical Toxicology reviews the literature on yohimbe extract, noting that it’s been associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, increased blood pressure, headaches, and an increased heart rate (6).
The authors describe a patient they treated who had reported to the doctor with a permanent erection, which they linked to use of a yohimbe extract supplement.
As with many supplements that act on your nervous system, yohimbe is not without risks, so it’s worth consulting a specialist if you aren’t sure if you should be taking it for your erectile or sexual dysfunction.
Recommended dose
The actual dose of yohimbe used in clinical trials varies widely; some studies have used doses as small as five or six mg of yohimbine (the active ingredient in yohimbe bark extract), but others have used much higher doses of 30 to 40 mg of yohimbine per day.
So far, research into the dose-response relationship is lacking, so for now, starting at the low end of the dosage range used in scientific research and increasing gradually if you aren’t getting the desired response might be the best approach.
If you want to model your regimen after scientific research, you’ll want to get a yohimbe supplement that specifically measures its dosage in milligrams of yohimbine.
Some supplements are raw yohimbe bark extracts, and not all of them include the precise dose of yohimbine present in the supplement.
While there may be benefits to the other compounds in yohimbe bark, research has focused on the biochemistry of yohimbine specifically.
FAQ
What is the most studied benefit of yohimbe bark? Yohimbe bark has been researched most intently as a treatment for erectile dysfunction.
With studies supporting its use ranging from proof of concept research in animals to double-blind placebo-controlled trials, yohimbe is one of the most heavily researched herbal treatments for male sexual wellness. The side effects are generally rare and mild, and the cost-benefit analysis favors trying yohimbe as an alternative treatment for ED and other male sexual problems.
Can I take yohimbe for weight loss? Yohimbe is widely marketed as a weight loss pill that can help you with your body composition. However, the evidence is not strong enough to suggest this is true. There have been studies completed with significantly varied results.
One clinical trial that included 20 women who were obese and trying to lose weight had positive results. They were split into two groups, both consuming a 1000 calorie diet for three weeks, and one taking a yohimbe supplement. The women who took the supplement lost notably more weight than the group who didn’t (7). However, an elite soccer group participated in a clinical trial that provided no positive results (8).
Two other controlled trials also suggest no significant impact on weight loss in patients. If you are looking for a weight loss supplement, please ask your doctor before taking any new medications or supplements. They can help you come up with a program or plan suitable for you and your health.
When is the best time to take yohimbe? Yohimbe is best used as a pre-workout supplement. Many bodybuilders take yohimbe on an empty stomach about 30 to 45 minutes before a workout is ideal. Taking the supplement with a full glass of water is also recommended.
Can I take yohimbe if I am pregnant? It’s not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women to take yohimbe as a supplement. Yohimbe may threaten the pregnancy, or poison the fetus.
Is yohimbe suitable for children? Children should not take yohimbe. There are severe side effects that children are more sensitive to, should they occur.
Can I take yohimbe if I am taking other medications? Many medications interact negatively with yohimbe. If you’re on any of the following medications, please consult your doctor before introducing any supplements into your routine.
Antidepressants have significantly negative interactions with yohimbe and should absolutely not be taken together. Tricyclic antidepressants combined with yohimbe can have adverse effects on the heart, and should not be combined. Clonidine is a medication that is used to decrease blood pressure.
At the same time, yohimbe increases blood pressure, so they should not be taken together. Guanabenz (Wytensin) will have reduced effectiveness when combined with yohimbe. Any other medications for high blood pressure should not be used with yohimbe. Naloxone and yohimbe both affect the brain and should not be taken at the same time. Any stimulant drugs should not be combined with yohimbe.
Can I combine yohimbe with other supplements? There are no significant supplement interactions that are noted, but yohimbe affects many aspects of the body. You should consult your doctor before taking any other supplements in conjunction with yohimbe. Many people tend to combine yohimbe with other stimulants or medications for enhanced results, but this should be done with caution.
How long does yohimbe take to start working? For best results, take yohimbe 30 to 45 minutes before a workout, so it has time to take effect in the body.
How long does yohimbe last in my body? Once you’ve taken yohimbe, it has a peak performance time of about 30 minutes and a half-life of about five hours. This is why bodybuilders take it directly before a workout to maximize the benefits during their training session.
What are the best brands of yohimbe on the market? Doing your research into weight loss supplements like yohimbe is imperative when choosing a brand to take. A brand with an excellent reputation that has been on the market for some time is an ideal choice. If you need a recommendation, please ask your pharmacist.
Some of the top-selling and highest-rated brands include Jacked Factory Yohimbine Extra Strength Supplement, Nutricost Yohimbine HCl, Puritans Pride Yohimbe 2000 Mg, GNC Men’s Yohimbe 451, and BRI Nutrition Yohimbine HCI.
Can yohimbe treat erectile dysfunction? Yohimbe has an assumed benefit in treating erectile dysfunction and has been used for many years to treat ED. Still, there’s not enough evidence for medical professionals to feel comfortable recommending it as a treatment.
In a review of seven clinical trials, there seems to be some weight to the claim, as a yohimbe supplement is more effective for ED than a placebo. One trial included 82 male veterans, and after one month of Yohimbe treatment, 34% saw an improvement in symptoms. Only 7% of men taking the placebo reported improvements. Doctors are hesitant to suggest yohimbe as a treatment because there’s not enough known about potential adverse effects.
Is yohimbe helpful if I have sleep apnea? There have been positive tests out of MIT that show a significant improvement in rats (9).
However, along with sleep apnea comes a whole host of other issues. These can include anxiety disorders, high blood pressure, and heart disease, which can be negatively impacted by yohimbe. A treatment for some forms of sleep apnea can be weight loss, so yohimbe could possibly affect it in that way as well.
Can yohimbe increase my libido? Yohimbe is an aphrodisiac and has been used as a natural treatment for low libido for many years. In many nations across the world, individuals have relied on the properties to enhance libido. It’s suggested to counteract the adverse side effects of antidepressants.
Still, it should not be combined with them unless advised by a medical professional. It’s recommended to work for both men and women. Yohimbe’s effect on libido is unproven, and there’s no concrete evidence to suggest it can help with desire. Clinical trials have had varying results, both promising and showing no results.
Some clinicians suggest that ED and low libido that occurs naturally would have a better chance of being treated with yohimbe than someone who may have suffered an injury or has a physical limitation. In Germany, they tested men over four weeks, and those who had organic issues seemed to have a better experience than those who had a physical problem with the addition of yohimbe.
If you’re looking to take yohimbe to increase libido, please consult your primary care physician, as a low libido could be a symptom of a different issue.
Does yohimbe have a similar effect as caffeine? Yohimbe can be used to treat fatigue and give you more energy, but this has not been clinically proven. In fact, many bodybuilders will combine yohimbe with caffeine, as they suggest that using caffeine for energy with yohimbe for better results is the best combination.
Coffee can cause higher blood pressure, anxiety, and an increased heart rate, which are all potential side effects of yohimbe. Combining the two could have dangerous repercussions, and should not be done without medical supervision.
How does yohimbe affect blood pressure? If you suffer from high blood pressure, you should not use yohimbe. If you take too high of a dose, you can lower your blood pressure to dangerous levels. If you have high blood pressure and you want to take yohimbe, please contact your doctor before taking the supplement to ensure it’s safe for you to do so.
Can I take yohimbe on an empty stomach? It’s ideal to take yohimbe on an empty stomach before a workout for peak performance.
What happens if I am allergic to yohimbe? An allergy to yohimbe may include symptoms like rash, swelling in the throat and tongue, hives, swelling lips, dizziness, confusion, increased heart rate, or unusual behavior. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after a dose of yohimbe, please go to your nearest emergency room.
What happens if I take too much yohimbe? Those who have taken too much yohimbe can experience anxiety, tremors, disorientation, seizures, and drowsiness. There is not much research on the effects of yohimbe overdose and the concentration in the blood, and there have been no fatal concentrations observed (10).
If you have exceeded the dosage of yohimbe and are exhibiting any of these symptoms, please contact your primary care physician or go to the nearest emergency room.
Is yohimbe keto? Yes, yohimbe is keto and can be used during intermittent fasting. Consult your doctor before taking these supplements if you’re fasting.
What forms do yohimbe supplements come in? Yohimbe comes in powder and capsule form.
Can I build up a tolerance to yohimbe? It’s suggested that the body can quickly build up a tolerance to yohimbe in as little as two weeks. Many forums recommend rotating between supplements to avoid building up a tolerance, but this can be dangerous, as you don’t know how they interact. Please consult your doctor before introducing several supplements to your routine.
Can yohimbe affect my menstrual cycle? There’s no known effect on the menstrual cycle from taking yohimbe as a supplement. If you are experiencing a change in your cycle while taking this supplement, contact your doctor as soon as possible to diagnose the problem.
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Recap
Yohimbe bark extract, and its active ingredient, yohimbine, have been researched heavily as treatments for both erectile dysfunction and male sexual dysfunction generally.
While it won’t work for everyone or every case of sexual dysfunction, the evidence supporting it is fairly strong. While side effects are rare, they can include gastrointestinal issues, a rapid heart rate, and headaches. If you get these side effects, you should stop using yohimbe.
Dosing recommendations vary from study to study; positive effects have been found for doses ranging from 6 mg all the way up to 40 mg per day. Usually, these doses are divided into at least two distinct doses (e.g. taking a capsule in the morning and the evening).
Yohimbe is a good choice if you want to try an herbal solution to erectile or sexual dysfunction, because it appears to be effective even when these dysfunctions have a wide variety of causes.
For BodyNutrition’s #1 recommended yohimbe supplement, click here.
