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Damiana
leaf
(Turnera diffusa)
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Medicinally
One
of the most popular herbal aphrodisiacs. Damamia
has been thought to have aphrodisiac properties
since ancient times. Damania has also been shown
useful in reducing headaches, depression and
constipation. In addition, it also appears to help
with mental clarity.
Damiana is reportedly an aphrodisiac and
hallucinogen. Damiana is conventionally made into
a tea. In herbal medicine, damiana is used to
treat conditions ranging from coughs to
constipation to depression. The herbal supplement
is reputed to help with Fibromyalgia, 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.
History
The
scientific literature on the plant dates back more
than 100 years when reports described its
aphrodisiac effects. 2
Damiana history began with its early use by the
Maya (under the name mizibcoc) in the treatment of
giddiness and loss of balance. Its primary use in
the last century has been as an aphrodisiac. 3
Father Juan Maria de Salvatierra, a Spanish
missionary, first reported that the Mexican
Indians made a drink from the damiana leaves,
added sugar and drank it for its love-enhancing
properties. In the 1870s, it was imported into the
US as a tincture and advertised as a powerful
aphrodisiac, to improve the sexual ability of the
enfeebled and the aged and to provide increased
activity to all the pelvic secretions. Suffice to
say that in this patent medicine era, it enjoyed
some success.
Damiana
was admitted into the first edition of the
National Formulary (NF) in 1888 as an elixir and
fluid extract. However, it never made it into the
US Pharmacopeia and the elixir was finally dropped
from the NF in 1916. The fluid extract and the
crude drug (leaves) were listed in the NF until
1947. Although some commercial companies continued
to sell it to the American market, damiana had
almost disappeared until the 1960s “hippy”
movement brought it back into popularity.
Damiana
is an ingredient in a traditional Mexican liqueur,
which is sometimes used in lieu of Triple Sec in
margaritas. Mexican folklore claims that it was
used in the "original" margarita. The
damiana margarita is popular in the Los Cabos
region of Mexico.
Damiana
can also be smoked, whereby the effects have been
reported as somewhat similar to Cannabis sativa
although milder and more relaxing. In some places
in Australia, Damiana is used as an alternative to
tobacco when smoked with Marijuana. Damiana
supposedly has a synergistic effect with
Passionflower which when smoked in a combination
has been said to be extremely relaxing and
promotes lucid dreaming. Damiana has been included
as an ingredient in herbal cigarettes.
Today,
damiana has found its way into a number of herbal
OTC products, in particular those claiming to
induce a legal herbal “high.” In the
Caribbean, damiana leaves are boiled in water and
the vapors inhaled for the relief of headaches.
Teas are said to aid in the control of bed
wetting.
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Damiana
leaf C/O
(Turnera diffusa)
Origin
- Mexico 
Damiana
is a hormone balancer, strengthens the
ovum in women and increases testosterone in
men, fights prostate issues and sterility,
increases sperm count. Damiana is also
used to relieve incontinence for a full
restful nights sleep.
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For
educational purposes only This information
has not been evaluated by the Food and
Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any
disease. |
