3 Potential Health Benefits of Catuaba

Catuaba is an herbal supplement that has been studied for benefits related to brain health, infections, and fatigue. Research on catuaba is limited with few human trials, and many catuaba health claims remain unfounded.

What Is Catuba?

Catuba is a supplement derived from the bark of trees found mostly in Central and South America. The most common plant used to make catuaba supplements is Trichilia catigua.

In folk medicine, catuaba is commonly used to treat fatigue, stress, memory loss, and impotence. Some research has found that catuaba may have properties such as:

If these benefits exist, they are most likely due to substances in catuaba such as flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and saponins.

To date, however, research investigating the effectiveness of catuaba in treating any health condition is very limited. Most studies on catuaba have been performed in a lab (in vitro) or on animal models. Research must be completed on humans to confirm many of the health claims for catuaba.

Research is most robust for the following conditions:

• Brain health
• Antimicrobial effects
• Fatigue

1. Brain Health

According to preliminary research, catuaba may improve brain health.

Experimental studies have shown that catuaba protects animal brains from oxidative stress (excess free radicals). This led researchers of one study to pretreat the brains of rats with catuaba before being subjected to neurotoxic substances. The researchers learned that antioxidants found in catuaba were able to protect brain cells from damage.

There is also some evidence that catuaba may improve symptoms of memory loss. However, research on catuaba’s effects on memory is dated, and new research is scarce.

In one study from 2011, mice were given an extract of catuaba before receiving behavioral tests. The tests showed that catuaba improved memory in the mice. Researchers believed these effects were due to antioxidants found in catuaba.

Despite the promising findings, the study provides what might be best considered a sketch for future research. Furthermore, as with all animal studies, results cannot automatically be assumed to apply to humans.

2. Antimicrobial Effects

Various studies have suggested that catuaba exerts potent antimicrobial properties.

Catuaba has been shown to inhibit bacterial growth from such strains as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), among others. Researchers believe that substances in catuaba are bactericidal, meaning they can kill bacteria.

Other lab research has found catuaba may be able to prevent viral infections, including polio and herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) by killing off the viruses. However, it should be pointed out that research on the potential antimicrobial effects of catuaba has only been performed in vitro or animal models.

As promising as the findings are, it has yet to be established how effective or safe catuaba may be in treating active infections.

At present, it should not be considered a viable candidate for treating any infection. Further research is needed.

3. Fatigue

In traditional medicine, catuaba is sometimes used to treat fatigue and boost energy and vitality. Yet, there is no strong evidence to support this practice.

One animal study looked at the effect of catuaba on fatigue in mice that had been exercising on a treadmill. The administration of catuaba was found to have no effect on how long it took the mice to become fatigued. However, mice given the highest dose of catuaba had increased activity levels, suggesting that catuaba may somewhat reduce recovery time after exercise.

Few other studies have examined the relationship between catuaba and fatigue, and none have been performed in humans. More research is needed before catuaba can be recommended for fatigue.

What Are the Side Effects of Catuaba?

Catuaba is thought to be safe to take in supplement form. However, proper safety studies have not been performed on catuaba, and side effects are not well-documented. A few studies have found catuaba to have no toxic effects, but these were performed in animals instead of humans.

According to one review, topical (applied to the skin) catuaba showed no side effects in rabbits after 14 days of treatment. In another study, however, giving the equivalent of 1,000 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of catuaba to mice caused death just hours after administration.

As a result, it is not fully understood what the possible side effects of catuaba in humans might be. To prevent any potential side effects or toxicity, only use catuaba as directed and never take more than you should.

Precautions

It’s important to take precautions when using any supplement. When it comes to catuaba, some people may need to take more precautions than others.

A 2015 study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology reported that catuaba caused impaired implantation, an important step of early pregnancy, in female rats. Although this has not been corroborated in human studies, people who are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant should avoid using catuaba out of an abundance of caution.

Other sensitive groups, including children and people who are breastfeeding, should also avoid catuaba. This is because safety studies have not been performed on these populations.

How Much Catuaba Should I Take?

There are no guidelines for the appropriate dosage of catuaba. This is due to an overall lack of research on catuaba and its effects on humans.

Dosing information listed on the product label of supplements is according to the drug manufacturer only. Supplements may vary in their formulation, leading to differences in dosing among brands.

In the case of catuaba, a safe dosage has not yet been established. As a rule of thumb, never exceed the dose listed on the product label. Talk with a healthcare provider about how to determine the right catuaba dose for you.

What Happens if I Take Too Much Catuaba?

Toxicology reports on catuaba are lacking. Based on current reports, though, catuaba is not considered toxic to humans. There are no reported cases of catuaba overdose.

However, there is some concern as a result of past animal research indicating that catuaba may be embryotoxic (toxic to an embryo).

In comparison, a 2016 review on catuaba discussed different toxicology studies on the herbal remedy. For the most part, however, the review found that catuaba did not cause toxic effects in animal studies.

Nonetheless, toxicology studies on catuaba have not been performed on humans. This means the overall safety of catuaba has yet to be determined. To prevent potential adverse events or toxicity, only use catuaba as directed, and never exceed a dose.

Does Catuaba Interact With Other Medications or Supplements?

It is unknown whether catuaba interacts with medications, supplements, or food. Despite this, interactions may still exist.

No studies have been performed to determine whether catuaba negatively interacts with other substances. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, it’s extremely difficult to identify any and all potential interactions of herbs like catuaba.

Talk with a healthcare provider before starting catuaba, especially if you are taking other medications, herbs, or supplements.

It is important that you read and understand the ingredients list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Review all supplement labels with your healthcare provider to discuss any potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications. 

Similar Supplements

Other supplements and herbs may work similarly to catuaba. These include:

• Glutathione: Glutathione (GSH) is an antioxidant produced by your body and found in certain foods. Some research suggests that, in supplement form, GSH may help reduce oxidative stress and damage in the brain by scavenging free radicals.
• Panax ginseng: Popular in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), panax ginseng (also known as Asian ginseng) has been touted as an herbal remedy for memory loss. Cell and animal models have shown that Panax ginseng exerts neuroprotective effects, which may help preserve memory and treat conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
• Eucalyptus: Essential oils from the eucalyptus plant may possess antimicrobial properties. In one study, eucalyptus essential oil showed antimicrobial effects against E. coli, S. aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa).
• Rhodiola rosea: Rhodiola rosea (R. rosea) is a perennial plant (a type of adaptogen) used in traditional medicine for various conditions, including fatigue. According to a recent review, R. rosea has shown perceived relief of fatigue in multiple human trials.

Other herbs and supplements may work similarly to catuaba. Talk with a healthcare provider about which may be best for you.

Sources of Catuaba and What to Look For

Catuaba is an herbal remedy that is found in a variety of supplement forms, including capsules, powder, liquid extracts, and dried herbs.

Sometimes, supplement brands combine catuaba with other herbs or ingredients. Be sure to read the nutrition label and ingredient list so you know what you are getting.

Also, check the label to see if the supplement fits your diet. Many catuaba supplements are naturally vegan and gluten-free, and some are organic.

It should be noted that the supplements that end up on grocery store shelves or online are not necessarily the same ones that are tested in scientific studies.