DESCRIPTION
Product: Catuaba Bark.
Latin Name: Erythroxylum catuaba
Plant Family: Erythroxylaceae
Description: Catuaba is a small is small tree native to the tropical rainforests of Brazil that grows to a height of 2-4 metres. The leaves are simple, entire and alternate, glossy and glaucous green in colour on the upper surface, paler green below and are ovately lanceolate in shape. The 5-petaled flowers grow in clusters and are white to orangey-yellow in colour.
Brief History: The first documented use of catuaba as an herb dates back some 300 years when the Tupi Indian tribe of Brazil used it as an aphrodisiac, they also drank it as an infusion to benefit the central nervous system, so enamoured were they to this herbs perceived abilities that they sang songs revering it. The word catuaba is a Guarani word ‘acuata’ meaning kindness and peace, a reflection of the soothing effect this herb has. Very little information on this herb exists outside of the aphrodisiac claims on an historical or cultural level in the western world, studies in Japan in the 1990’s indicated that catuaba could be anti-bacterial, in time new information may become available as this relatively new herb continues to be researched, when that occurs we will update our information.
SUGGESTED USE
No non-medicinal uses are known.
SHELF LIFE
Shelf life of two years provided that goods are stored in an airtight container in ambient conditions.
