Damiana – what is it?

Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is a herb native to South America, Caribbean, Central America and Mexico. It belongs to the family Turneraceae.

Damiana is a relatively small shrub that produces aromatic flowers. It blossoms in early to late summer and is followed by fruits that taste similar to figs. Damiana has an odor somewhat like chamomile due to the oil present in the plant. The leaves have traditionally been made into a tea which was used by native people of Central and South America for its aphrodisiac effects. It has been recorded that the Indians drank Damiana tea mixed with sugar for its ability to enhance lovemaking.

Damiana tea is widespread and quite popular nowadays as well (for its said aphrodisiac reasons )

History of Damiana

This drug was introduced (to the New World) in 1874 and first appeared in the form of fluid extract. Three distinct varieties or species of plants under the name of Damiana, are occasionally found upon the market, and are derived from as many different sources. The true Damiana is derived from Mexico.

The genus Turnera is a small family of chiefly tropical American plants allied to the Passifloreae. The flowers are small, yellow and in the species that produces damiana, subsessile near the end of the short branches. The calyx is tubular, hairy externally, colored like the petals, and 5-toothed at the apex. The petals are 5, yellow and inserted on the tube of the calyx. The fruit, specimens of which are often found with damiana leaves are dry, globular, and about the size of a large hemp seed.

Mexican damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca) as found in market, consists of broken leaves mixed with fragments of the branches and sometimes with seedpods. The leaves are less than an inch long, obovate, wedge-shape, and taper at the base to a short. A variety of damiana, closely resembling the preceding, is derived from California.

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage — This drug has been almost eulogized for its positive aphrodisiac effects, acting energetically upon the genito-urinary organs of both sexes, removing impotence in the one, and frigidity in the other, whether due to abuses or age. Many physicians who have tried it, deny its possession of such virtues, but the friends of the drug attribute their failures to the use of the spurious articles. It will very likely be found to possess laxative, tonic, and diuretic properties only; and the aphrodisiac effects following its use, no more prove that these belong to it, than the same effects, that not unfrequently appear after the employment of many other agents prove that such agents possess similar excitant virtues. Upon the system at large, it exerts a tonic influence, and is useful in some cases of chronic cystic and renal catarrh. It relieves irritation of the urinary mucous membranes, improves digestion, and overcomes constipation in some instances. In respiratory disorders, it may be employed to relieve irritation and cough, and, by its tonic properties, to cheek hypersecretion from the broncho-pulmonic membranes. The dose of the fluid extract is from 1/2 fluid drachm to 1/2 fluid ounce; specific damiana, 5 to 60 drops.

Specific Indications and Uses — To relieve irritation of the genito-urinary mucous surfaces. (Sexual weakness and debility, with nervousness and depression).