Skip to content

Yohimbe

Yohimbe suppliers and sourcing guide

Yohimbe is the bark of Pausinystalia johimbe, a tree of the coastal forests of west-central Africa, which is stripped from wild trees, dried and sold as powder or extract. Extracts are made with water or ethanol and often sold with a stated content of the alkaloid yohimbine measured by HPLC. Yohimbine itself is a regulated drug substance in several markets, which shapes how the bark can be sold.

Also known as
Pausinystalia johimbe · Pausinystalia yohimbe · yohimbe bark · Corynanthe johimbe
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of yohimbe

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Bark powder

    Dried, milled bark at a stated mesh, with naturally variable alkaloid content.

  • Standardized extract

    Bark extract sold with a stated yohimbine percentage by HPLC, usually on a carrier.

  • Liquid extract

    Hydroalcoholic tincture sold by herb-to-menstruum ratio.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity
Microscopy and an HPLC or HPTLC alkaloid fingerprint confirming Pausinystalia johimbe bark rather than related barks.
Yohimbine assay (HPLC)
Yohimbine and related alkaloids by a named HPLC method; spiking with synthetic yohimbine is a known issue, so ask how the alkaloid profile is checked.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella.
Residual solvents
Ethanol and any other solvent used, for extracts.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep bark powder and extracts sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, dark area off the floor, since moisture and warmth invite mold and caking and light fades color and aroma. Reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date is set by the supplier's specification, and identity, moisture and microbiology are usually repeated before using aged stock.

Lots and expiry dates

Alkaloid content varies widely with tree, bark age and region, so record the yohimbine assay, method and origin for each lot and never blend lots to hit a target without retesting. Check each destination market's rules before buying.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 310.528 names yohimbine, yohimbine hydrochloride and yohimbinum among ingredients that have been present in OTC drug products offered for use as an aphrodisiac.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
  • Under that section, any OTC drug product labeled or represented for use as an aphrodisiac is regarded as a new drug requiring an approved new drug application.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
  • Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist lists yohimbine and its salts among ingredients prohibited for use in cosmetic products.

    Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Yohimbe suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking yohimbe suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell yohimbe? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of yohimbe can brands buy?

Common forms include bark powder, standardized extract and liquid extract. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for yohimbe include?

Expect identity, yohimbine assay (HPLC), heavy metals, microbiology and residual solvents, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should yohimbe be stored?

Keep bark powder and extracts sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, dark area off the floor, since moisture and warmth invite mold and caking and light fades color and aroma. Reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date is set by the supplier's specification, and identity, moisture and microbiology are usually repeated before using aged stock.

What is the regulatory status of yohimbe?

21 CFR 310.528 names yohimbine, yohimbine hydrochloride and yohimbinum among ingredients that have been present in OTC drug products offered for use as an aphrodisiac. Under that section, any OTC drug product labeled or represented for use as an aphrodisiac is regarded as a new drug requiring an approved new drug application. Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist lists yohimbine and its salts among ingredients prohibited for use in cosmetic products.

Sell ingredients to brands?

Request a free listing for the ingredients you make or distribute. No paid placement.

Request a listing