Damiana is a shrub of Mexican origins, but it can also be found across the southern part of the US as well as in many areas in South America. The Damiana leaf is small, aromatic, and yellow-brown in color. The shrub’s scientific name is Turnera diffusa. Damiana is made into a liqueur in Mexico that is commonly used as a “secret ingredient” in margaritas.
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Damiana Leaf Extract Health Benefits and Uses
Ethnobotanical/Traditional Uses
The plant traces its scientific history to more than a century ago when it was primarily used for its aphrodisiac effects. The ancient Maya tribe called it mizibcoc, and used it to treat loss of balance and giddiness.
In 1888, Damiana was included in the National Formulary’s first edition as a fluid extract and elixir. It never landed in the US Pharmacopeia, however, and in 1916, the elixir was finally removed from the NF. The leaves (crude drug) and the fluid extract were in the NF list until 1947. Damiana slowly eased into oblivion until the ‘hippies’ brought it back to public consciousness in the 1960s.
Hallucinogen
At present, Damiana is a fixture in many herbal over-the-counter extracts and tinctures, particularly those that claim to induce legal herbal ‘highs.’ In Caribbean, the leaves are boiled and the vapors are inhaled to provide headache relief. When made into tea, it reportedly can help control bed wetting.
Although Damiana has a complex component mixture, no evidence has been gathered in support of its supposed hallucinogenic properties other than anecdotal evidence of recreational users who claim to have gotten high from damiana leaf extract. These users commonly refer to the leaf as ‘spice’ and describe the high as very much similar to marijuana and anti-depressant in effect. Many recreational users enjoy vaporizing damiana leaf and claim it also has benefits for sleep patterns and reaching a lucid dream state.
Damiana is legal in all 50 of the United States.
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Libido & Sexual Enhancement
It was not until a century ago when its aphrodisiac properties were discovered.
It was a Spanish missionary by the name of Juan Maria de Salvatierra who first reported that the leaves were made into a drink by Mexican Indians who added sugar and drank it to enhance their love-making capabilities. It was in 1870 when Damiana was imported by the US in the form of a tincture that was advertised as a potent aphrodisiac. It was said to help improve the sexual abilities of the aged and enfeebled by providing heightened activity in the pelvic area. The patented product was a huge success back then.
Until this study was published, there is was no substantive evidence in support of Damiana’s potency as an herbal aphrodisiac. However the study identified the main active compounds of the herbal extract as caffeine, arbutine, and flavonoids. These beneficial chemical constituents act as healthy antioxidants.
Although the plant contains caffeine that can stimulate the central nervous system, there are no specific components that may be responsible for the aphrodisiac properties. The theory is that the volatile oil in the plant might be irritating enough for the urethral mucous membranes, resulting to the alleged aphrodisiac effects.
Safe Use of Damiana Leaf
Recommended dosage:
There are currently no clinical studies that can be used as basis for recommending the proper dosage, although there are studies done in combination with various other agents. The typical dosage of the Damiana leaf is 2g.
Contraindications:
None has been identified.
Side Effects:
None has been reported. It is not recommended for use by pregnant and nursing women because of the risk of cyanide toxicity.
Toxicity:
Various researches report little to no info about toxicology resulting from the use of Damiana herb.