Catuaba has a long history of use in herbal medicine as an aphrodisiac.

The Tupi Indians in Brazil first discovered the plant's aphrodisiac virtues and over the past few centuries have composed many songs praising its wonders and abilities.

Indigenous and local people have used Catuaba for generations. It is the most famous of all Brazilian aphrodisiac plants. In the Brazilian state of Minas there is a saying, "Until a father reaches 60, his son is his; after that his son is Catuaba!"

In Brazilian herbal medicine today, Catuaba is considered to be a stimulant of the central nervous system with aphrodisiac properties. A bark decoction is commonly used for sexual impotence, nervousness, poor memory, and sexual weakness.