Herb Of The Week - Damiana - Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine

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DAMIANA

Source: Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine

Author/s: Tish Davidson

 

Description

Damiana, of the Turneraceae plant family, is an aromatic shrub with

small yellow flowers that grows on dry, sunny, rocky hillsides in south

Texas, Southern California, Mexico, and Central America. The two species

used in herbal healing, both of which are referred to as damiana, are

Turnera aphrodisiaca and Turnera diffusa. Damiana usually grows to a

height of about 24 in (60 cm). Its pale green leaves, which turn

yellow-brown when dried, are 0.5-1 in (15-25 mm) long and quite narrow.

They have serrated (jagged) edges. The leaves and sometimes the stems of

the plant have medicinal uses. Other names for damiana include old

woman's broom, Mexican damiana, pastorata, hierba del venado,

oreganello, and the bourrique.

 

General use

Damiana affects primarily the urinary and reproductive systems. It has

been used as an aphrodisiac and to boost sexual potency in men by the

native peoples of Mexico, including the Mayan Indians, for thousands of

years. It is said to act as a sexual stimulant and produce a feeling of

general well being. Damiana is sometimes used in men to treat

spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, sexual sluggishness, and prostate

complaints. It is often used in combination with other herbs to treat

impotence.

 

In the past 100 years, damiana has shifted from being primarily a male

sexual remedy to also being prescribed for women. In women it is used to

treat painful menstruation, menopause disorders, and headaches caused by

menstruation.

 

Today both men and women may use damiana to relieve anxiety,

nervousness, and mild depression, especially if these symptoms have a

sexual component. The herb is also used as a general tonic to improve

wellness. As a general tonic it is said to act as a stimulant, improve

circulation, and regulate hormonal activity. Some herbal practitioners

also use it as a diuretic. Damiana tonic should be used moderately, and

not be taken on a long-term basis.

 

Damiana has also been used traditionally to improve digestion and to

treat constipation, as in larger doses it has a mild laxative effect.

Other uses include treatment of asthma, cough and flu, and nephritis.

During the 1960s, damiana was touted as a recreational drug. Some users

claimed that damiana produced a mild " high " or hallucinogenic effect

similar to marijuana that lasts an hour to an hour and a half.

 

In addition to its medicinal uses, damiana is used in Mexico to flavor

liqueurs, tea, and other beverages and foods. It tastes slightly bitter,

and the leaves have a strong resinous aroma when crushed. Damiana is

approved for food use by the United States Food and Drug Administration

(FDA).

 

Despite its long history and frequent use in many different cultures,

scientists have been unable to isolate any active ingredients that would

account for damiana's aphrodisiac, stimulant, or hallucinogenic

properties. The herb contains a volatile oil that may mildly irritate

the genitourinary system. This volatile oil may be at the root of

damiana's reputation as an aphrodisiac.

 

The German Federal Health Agency's Commission E, which was established

in 1978 to independently review and evaluate scientific literature and

case studies pertaining to herb and plant medications, found no proof

that damiana acts either as a sexual stimulant or as a hallucinogen. On

the other hand, they also found no proof that damiana was likely to

cause harm. A 1999 study on rats conducted in Italy found that extracts

of Turnera diffusa had no effect on sexually potent rats, but did

increase the performance of sexually sluggish or impotent rats. There

have been no clinical trials involving humans.

 

Preparations

The leaves and occasionally the stems of damiana are used medicinally.

They are normally harvested while the plant is in flower and then are

dried. Dried leaves turn a yellow-brown color and may be powdered, used

in capsules, or steeped in water or alcohol. Damiana is always used

internally, never topically.

 

Traditionally damiana has been prepared as a tea or infusion. Although

folk recipes vary, generally about 1 cup (250 ml) of boiling water is

added to 1/2 cup (1 g) of dried leaves, and allowed to steep about 15

minutes. One cup of this infusion is drunk two to three times daily.

This infusion is slightly bitter and has an astringent quality.

 

Damiana is also available as a tincture of which 1-3 ml is taken two or

three times a day. If taken in capsule or tablet form, 3-8 g twice a day

may be taken. Damiana is also available in concentrated drops. Damiana

is often used in conjunction with other herbs having similar properties,

and is often found as an ingredient in herbal mixtures or formulas.

 

Precautions

Scientific evidence indicates that damiana is one of the safest

substances commonly taken for sexual enhancement. It has a long history

of traditional medicinal and food use with no harmful consequences

reported. It is believed to be unlikely to cause harm or have negative

side effects when taken in the designated doses. However, no rigorous

scientific studies have examined the effects of long-term use of this

herb.

 

Side effects

Large doses of damiana may cause loose stools because of the herb's

laxative properties. Otherwise, no unwanted side effects have been

reported.

 

Interactions

Damiana is often used in combination with other herbs without any

negative effects. It is not known to interact with any other herbs or

pharmaceuticals, although few, if any, scientific studies have been done

on its interactions.