Bois Bandé
Bois Bandé - other names: Richeria grandis
Bois Bande is the bark of the tree Richeria grandis. It has had a long reputation in the Caribbean as an aphrodisiac. The name "Bois Bandé" means "Hard Wood". The tree is found in Grenada, Trinidad, Dominica, Costa Rica, other Caribbean Islands and Brazil. The bark is typically soaked in rum, then drunk. Claimed benefeits include increased desire and actual performance. The Bois Bandé rum drink is popular in Grenada and locals attest to its efficacy. [1]
There's a rumour that Bois Bande's chemical properties were the basis for the research on Viagra, Levitra and Cialis. [2]
Bois Bande - History
Bois bande does not appear to be mentioned in Western literature prior to the 20th century - however, the tree Richeria grandis finds mention in some plant databases and encyclopedias of the 19th century.
The earliest reference I can find to Bois Bande being an aphrodisiac comes from the 1903 Year-book of pharmacy, which states:
Richeria grandis, Constituents of the Bark of. F. Lemaire. (Repertoire [3], 14, 496.) The plant producing the bark was first named Chalufouria raccmosa, but has since been identified with Richeria grandis. It occurs plentifully in the Antilles, where the infusion of the bark is regarded as a powerful aphrodisiac. The bark, as received, gave no indication of the presence of alkaloids. After extraction with petroleum ether, alcohol removed a crystalline body forming prisms and hexagonal lamellae, melting at 237°C. This was found to be without any aphrodisiac action. No other constituent of interest was detected. It is concluded that either the bark must lose its therapeutic activity on drying, or the supposed effect must be due to auto-suggestion. [3]
Numerous sources state that Bois Bande has long been used in the folk medicine of the Caribbean in cases of erectile dysfunction.
Is Bois Bande an Aphrodisiac?
No actual studies appear on Pubmed that investigated Bois Bande's aphrodisiac qualities. However, a 2005 paper in the Phytochemistry journal reported on a chemical anaylsis of the bark and roots of Richeria grandis. Three new acetophenone derivatives were described for the first time - and five other known compounds were mentioned. [4]
Conclusion
So there we have it - widespread popularity for over 100 years and anecdotal testimonials galore - but a lack of research from modern science. Whether the new compounds mentioned in [4] are responsible for the aphrodisiac action, seems yet to be ascertained.
At aphrodisiacs-info.com, we leave it there - for now.
Bois Bande is NOT listed in the AHPA's "Herbs of Commerce". [5]
Sources:
[1] http://www.boisbandebark.com/wholeherb/boisbandebark.cfm
[2] http://www.caribbean-on-line.com/travel-tips/grenada/bois-bande-natures-aphrodesiac.html
[3] http://books.google.com/books?id=4_I3AAAAMAAJ (p.239)
[4] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16140348
[5] "Herbs of Commerce" (AHPA) (2000 edition) - Michael McGuffin, John T. Kartesz, Albert Y Leung, Arthur O. Tucker
Note - the information on this website is not medical advice, is not a substitute for medical consultation, has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure any disease. Please seek advice from a medical professional if you have symptoms, are concerned about your health, or before using supplements or aphrodisiac products.
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