Also known as potency wood, muira puama bark is a key ingredient in many restorative, energizing tonics.
Although the herb is often prepared as tea, certain compounds are more readily available when the bark is tinctured in alcohol.
In terms of composition, muira puama contains several long-chain fatty acids, plant sterols and a small amount of beta-sitosterol.
The bark also contains a compound called lupeol that appears to have several pharmacological actions, including the inhibition of pro-inflammatory chemicals called interleukins.