The 16+ Benefits Of Catuaba (Trichilia Catigua And Other Catuabas)

Catuaba is a powerful plant that can improve depression, anxiety, fatigue, and more.

In this post, we will discuss the different forms of Catuaba (true vs non-true catuabas), the benefits of catuaba, and dosage of catuaba.

Trichilia catigua (T. catigua) is a native plant from several regions of Brazil and it is popularly known as Catuaba, tatuaba and catiguá. R R

In folk medicine T. catigua has been used to treat fatigue, stress, impotence, memory deficit, and digestive issues. R

Catuaba Concotions

Catuaba is commonly used in other concoctions such as Catuama: Catuaba (28.23%), Guarana (40.31%), Mara Puama (28.23%) and Ginger (3.26%). R

Other Forms Of Catuaba

Do not get confused with other forms of catuabas as they can have very different biological effects than Trichilia catigua.

For example Catuabines A, B, C and D are tropane alkaloids extracted from Erythroxylum vaccinifolium/Catuaba and Erythroxylum coca (cocaine). R

Erythroxylum is also native in Brazil, but not a "true" catuaba, although it has been used in traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac and CNS stimulant. R

Other "non-true" catuabas include: R

• Anemopaegma arvense

• Eriotheca candolleana

• Micropholis

• Phyllanthus nobilis

• Secondatia floribunda

• Temnadenia violacea

• Tetragastris catuaba

1. Increases Libido

Catuaba has aphrodisiac-inducing properties. R

For example, in rabbit models, catuaba has been reported to improve libido. R

Due to its ability to increase Nitric Oxide (NO), catuaba has vasorelaxant effects and may help with Erectile Dysfunction (ED). R

2. Increases Dopamine

By blocking the reuptake of Dopamine (DA), catuaba can increase dopamine levels in the brain. R

Although it increases dopamine, catuaba is reported to not have an amphetamine-like effect (at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg). R

3. Increases Serotonin

By blocking the reuptake of Serotonin (5HT), catuaba can increase serotonin levels in the brain. R

4. Has Antidepressant Effects 

Catuaba is a powerful antidepressant. R R

Two ways catuba fights depression is by increasing neurotransmitter levels in the brain (dopamine and serotonin) and by improving regeneration of hippocampal cells (more in section below). R R

For example, catuama was found to be effective in interfering with the synaptosomal uptake of serotonin and dopamine following long-term oral treatment of rats. R

In rodents subjected to the Forced Swimming Test (FST), catuaba produced antidepressant-like effects and concentration-dependently inhibited the uptake and increased the release of serotonin, and especially of dopamine. R

Catuaba also increases neurotransmitters is by its ability to (concentration-dependently) reduce the activity of Monoamine Oxidase A (MAO-A). R

This reduction in MAO-A activity by catuaba has shown to be neuroprotective and neurotrophic (were displayed within the non-toxic range of concentrations). R

5. Increases Acetylcholine

Catuaba can increase Acetylcholine (ACh) levels in the brain and body by reducing Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. R R

6. Improves Fatigue

Catuaba can act as an adaptogen, thus improving stress and fatigue. R R

It can improve fatigue after exercise by increasing acetylcholine and by improving antioxidant levels. R

For example, in mice catuaba could improve fatigue after running on the treadmill and improve grip strength after exercise. R

7. Has Antioxidant Properties

The main phytochemical compounds identified in the barks of catuaba are: R R R R

• Flavan-3-ols (procyanidin B2, epicatechin, catechin)

• Flavalignans (cinchonains Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb, catiguanins A and B, apocynin E)

• Phenylpropanoid derivatives (chlorogenic acid)

These phytochemical compounds are associated with catuaba's antioxidant activity (stronger than vitamin C and E) and have shown to help prevent cellular damage triggered by oxidative stress in acute and chronic neuropathological conditions. R R

8. Has Nootropic Properties

By acting on dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine, catuaba may have nootropic properties. R

In Brazilian folk medicine, catuaba is known for its neuroactive potential as memory stimulant. R

The antioxidants in catuaba have also shown to improve cognition. R

9. Protects And Grows The Brain

Catuaba is neuroprotective and reduce brain damage. R R R R

For example, catuaba can reduce oxidative stress (models with H2O2, SNP, and 3-NPA) in the hippocampus and prevent hippocampal cells from improperly dying. R

By reducing oxidative stress, catuaba has potential in several neurodegenerative disorders:

• Alzheimer’s Disease R

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) R

• Huntington’s Disease R

• Ischemia-reperfusion R R

• Parkinson’s Disease R

For example, in models of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, catuaba can normalize levels of Glutathione (GSH), Oxidized Glutathione (GSSG), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and Protein Carbonyl Groups (PCGs), while completely inhibiting microglial/astrocyte activation. R

Catuaba can also increase neurogenesis of the hippocampus (described above for depression). R

10. Has Antimicrobial Effects

Catuabines have antibacterial effects against:

• Bacillus cereus R

• Bacillus subtilis R

• Enterococcus faecalis R

• Escherichia coli R R

• Micrococcus luteus R

• Mycobacterium smegmatis R

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa R

• Staphylococcus aureus R R R

Catuaba has antifungal effects against:

• Candida albicans R

Catuaba has antiviral effects against:

• Bovine Herpes Virus (BoHV-1) R

• Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1) R

• HIV R

• Polio Virus (PV-1) R

Catuaba has antiparasitic effects against:

• Trypomastigotes R

11. Destroys Cancer

Catuaba can fight some cancers:

• Cervical R

• Head and Neck R

• Liver R R

• Oral R

• Ovarian R

Catuaba may also help with Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) in cancer. R R

12. Combats Pain And Inflammation

By activating dopaminergic and opioid pathways, catuba can reduce the sensation of pain. R

Catuba can reduce carrageenan-induced pain. R

Catuama can reduce pain from Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia. R

Catuaba can reduce inflammation by inhibiting Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and thus blocking the COX and LOX pathways in the Arachidonic Acid (AA) cascade. R

Catuama can significantly alleviate the symptoms by patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS). R

13. Protects The Heart

Catuaba may help with arrhythmias. R

For example, catuama (mainly catuaba) has been found able to both revert and prevent ventricular fibrillation in the isolated rabbit heart. R

14. Reduces Body Temperature

Catuaba may help reduce body temperature (by stimulation of dopamine). R

15. May Improve Skin

Catuaba may have anti-aging effects on the skin. R

For example, when catuaba extract was prepared in canola oil, andiroba oil, or buriti oil and applied to the skin, it had improved the permeability of the skin. R 

Catuaba can also raise the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) in sunscreens and be a promising sunscreen alternative. R

16. Improves Diabetes And Metabolism

Catuaba may be beneficial for those with diabetes. R

In rodent studies, catuaba can reverse Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced body mass loss and reduced food and water intake. R

It can also improve hyperglycemia and other metabolic biomarkers, such as Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST). R

Catuaba has also shown to regenerate the pancreas by increasing the number of pancreatic β-cells and the size of β-cell islets. R

I'm currently experimenting with Catuaba and will report back.

I'm using this form - Trichilia Catigua Powder (4:1 Extract)

Other forms:

• T. Catigua + E. Catuaba Powder (20:1 Extract) 

• Erythroxylum Catuaba Capsules

Catuaba Goes Well With:

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

• Guarana (Paullinia cupana)

• Mara Puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides)

Dosing:

• Anxiety - Doses than 800 mg/kg, may present anxiolytic-like effects in mice. R

• Depression - Antidepressant-like effects were detected after acute oral administration of EAF at 200 mg/kg, although at doses of 400mg/kg (subchronic) there has been no effect on hippocampal growth. R R

• Emotional Stability - Other has seen benefits around the 1g dose. R

• Fatigue - 25-300 mg/kg has been used in rodents to improve fatigue from exercise. R

Females should not take catuaba as it may have anti-fertility effects (in rodent studies). This does not affect male fertility. R

If taken during pregnancy, catuaba may cause offspring to produce higher amounts of antibodies (IgG1 and IgG2a anti-IgY). R

Doses of of 1000 mg/kg in mice (hydroalcoholic extract of T. catigua from the commercial preparation of Catuama) caused death within 4 h after administration. R

Although, in humans, chronic administration of 25 ml of Catuama twice daily for 28 days caused no severe adverse reactions or hematologic and biochemical changes. R

Mice treated with crude extract and ethyl-acetate fraction of T. catigua barks appeared normal and with no adverse effects at doses up to 5000 mg/kg and 3000 mg/kg, respectively. R

Simple:

• Increases ACh R

• Increases Apaf-1 R

• Increases Caspase-9 R

• Increases Cytochrome C R

• Increases DA R

• Increases Globulin R

• Increases GSH R

• Increases Procaspase-9 R

• Increases SOD R

• Increases Total Protein R

• Increases 5HT R

• Reduces AA R

• Reduces AChE R

• Reduces ALP R

• Reduces ALT R

• Reduces Amylase R

• Reduces AST R

• Reduces COX R

• Reduces GGT R

• Reduces Glucose R

• Reduces GSSG R

• Reduces LOX R

• Reduces LPO R

• Reduces MAO-A R

• Reduces PCG R

• Reduces PLA2 R

• Reduces ROS R

• Reduces Uric Acid R

Advanced:

• T ctigua contains: Stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, β-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl sitosterol, 11β-methoxycedrelone, cinchonains Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, IIa and IIb, apocynin, catechin, ent-catechin, epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, catiguanins A and B, procyanidins B2, B4 and C1, cedrelone, methylangolensate and epimeric mixture of photogedunin. R

• In mice, inhibition of dopamine uptake (IC50 = 35 μg ml−1) and an increase in dopamine release (EC50 = 23 μg ml−1) by T. catigua extract. R

• T. catigua extract has shown to inhibit LPO in brain homogenates and to suppress liver mitochondrial ROS production. R

• In the hippocampus, neuroinflammation markers peaked on day 5 post-ischemia, with microglial and astrocytic responses increasing to 54.8% and 37.1%, respectively and the elevation in glial cells response was completely prevented by catuaba. R

• Anemopaegma mirandum is also called Catuaba and has shown in models of Parkinson's Disease (PD) to protect mitochondria cells in the brain against Rotenone. R