It is often claimed that catuaba is derived from the tree Erythroxylum catuaba, but this tree has been only described once, (in 1904), and it is not known today to what tree this name referred. The name E. catuaba is therefore not a recognised species (Kletter et al; 2004).
Local synonyms are Chuchuhuasha, Tatuaba, Pau de Reposta, Piratancara and Caramuru. A commercial liquid preparation, Catuama, contains multiple ingredients, one of these being catuaba from Trichilia catigua.
An infusion of the bark is used in traditional Brazilian medicine as an aphrodisiac and central nervous system stimulant. These claims have not been confirmed in scientific studies, but a journalist for the Discovery Channel claims that "reports in scientific journals and at conferences have supported [catuaba's] use for sexual enhancement. In catuaba, a group of three alkaloids dubbed catuabine A, B and C are believed to enhance sexual function by stimulating the nervous system".citation needed
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Da Silva, Arthur José (2004): Estudo botânico e chímico da catuaba (Erythroxylaceae catuaba do Norte), Parte I: Histórico, habitat, synonimia e botanica da catuaba. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia (Brazilian Journal of Pharmacognosy) Vol. 14(1): p. 67-77.(ISSN0102-695X, CODEN RBFAEL). Online: [1]
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