The herb damiana - its effects as an erotic life and health improver

Damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca) has its original home in sunny places in Mexico. Its botanical classification is: Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Magnoliophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Malpighiales, Family: Turneraceae, Genus: Turnera, Species: T. diffusa.

The plant is a small-grown shrub of 0,6 - 1.0 meter height. It blossoms from July to August. It has an aromatic fig-like scent and hermaphrodite flowers (with both male and female organs).

The whole plant tastes and feels bitter, pungent and warming. The plants are harvested during flowering, and are dried for later use.

The leaves are used as a tea substitute and also as a flavouring in liqueurs. They taste strongly aromatic and slightly bitterly.


Living places and required growing conditions

The plant requires well-drained dry soil and much light, and do not tolerate frost. It can grow in variable types of soils as for example acid, neutral or alcaline, sandy soil or clay soil as long as the soil drains good. It is found in woodlands, sunny Edges, or by west or south walls.


Cultivation tips for damiana

One must saw the seed in greenhouse. The seedlings must be replaced to individual pots, once they are large enough and then grown further in the greenhouse during the first winter.

Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. The plants must have some protection from winter cold for at least their first winter outdoors.


How the herb is traditionally used

Traditionally the plant has been used ny the Maya indians as a female aphrodisiac. Native Mexican women have long drunk an infusion of the herb a couple of hours before bedtime to prime themselves for their men.

Frio de la matriz is an illness suffered by post-partum women, if they do not set aside other activities in order to care for themselves or their babies in a period, with symptoms as pelvic congestion, menstrual irregularities and loss of libido. These symptoms may persist up to several years after delivery if the conditions is not treated. The name means "coldness of the womb or the uterus". In traditional hispnic maternal care, women is given a period of 40 days to care only for themselves and the baby to prevent this illness.

Damiana is the traditional treatment in hispanic population for this condition.


Modern uses to treat diseases or improve conditions or boost sexuality

In herbal medicine, damiana is used to treat conditions ranging from coughs, to constipation, to depression. The herbal supplement is reputed to help with Energy, Emphysema, low Estrogen, Frigidity, Hot Flashes, Impotency, Infertility, Menopause, Parkinson's Disease, PMS, Inflammation of Prostate, Lou Gehrig's disease, and more dealing with reproductive organs in both males and females.

The herb is a usefull female aphrodisiac with these composite effects:

It arouses sexual desire by woman

It also increases a womens energy

It controls flashes during menopause

It balances the womans hormonal system

Helps against infertility

Helps against painful menstruation and vaginal discharge.


For men the herb has the following effects:

Increases of the sperm count.

Helps against imponency, and premature ejaculation.

Helps against infertility.

Helps against prostate trouble.


The herb stimulates the sentral nervous system and helps against depression, anxiety, poor apetite and nervous exhaustion.

The herb further generally stimulates the genito-urinary tract and rejuvenates kidney energy.

It also stimulates the digestive system and healps against atonic constipation, poor digestion and poor appetite.

Damiana has further been used for pulmonary (lung) disorders (including asthma), and as a general body cleanser. It has been used for cough preparations, and helps to relieve cold symptoms and flu.

Damiana is a laxative in children. It stimulates muscle contractions of the intestinal tract.

Damiana is believed to be more effective when combined with other herbs of similar or complementary activity


Preparation and use

Damiana tea: Add 250 ml (1 cup) boiling water to 1 gram of dried leaves, and let it steep ten to fifteen minutes. Drink three cups per day.

Damiana is also sold as tincture or capsules. Take tablets or capsules in the amount of 400-800 mg three times per day. In tincture form, it is to be taken as 2-3 ml 3 times a day


Traditional uses

A traditional Mexican liqueur, sometimes used in margaritas is made from this herb. Its makers claim that Damiana liqueur was used in the first margarita.


What substances are active in damiana

Most research has been done on the essential oil of damiana, which includes numerous small, fragrant substances called terpenes. As yet, it is unclear if the essential oil is truly the main active fraction of damiana.

The leaves also contain the antimicrobial substance arbutin, alkaloids, and other potentially important compounds.


Possible side effects of damiana

Damiana is a safe herb with very few reports of unwanted effects. Damiana may occationally cause hedaches and insomnia.

In animal studies, damiana may have affected blood sugar levels. Individuals who have diabetes may want to avoid using it.

Very little information is available on how damiana might affect a developing fetus, an infant, or a small child. Therefore, its use is not recommended for small children, during breast-feeding or during pregnancy.

In one reported case, a person having taken 200 grams damiana (7 ounces) got epileptic seizures.


Some literature

Alarcon-Aguilar FJ, Roman-Ramos R, Flores-Saenz JL, Aguirre-Garcia F. Investigation on the hypoglycaemic effects of extracts of four Mexican medicinal plants in normal and alloxan-diabetic mice. Phytotherapy Research. 2002;16(4):383-386.

Taylor L. Herbal Secrets of the Rainforest, 2nd edition. Roseville, California. Prima Publishing, Inc. 2002.


Branches with leaves and a yellow flower - a free picture from Wikipednia.org