Damiana

(Turnera diffusa)

Family: Turneraceae
Genus: Turnera
Species: diffusa, aphrodisiaca
Synonyms: Turnera microphylla
Common Names: Damiana, damiane, oreganillo, the bourrique, Mexican damiana, Mexican holly, damiana de Guerrero
Phytochemicals: 8-Cineole, 5-hydroxy-7,3',4-trimethoxyflavone, Albuminoids, Alpha-copaene, Alpha-pinene, Arbutin, Ascorbic-acid, Beta-pinene, Beta-sitosterol, Calamenene, Chlorophyll, Chromium, Damianin, Gamma-cadinene, Gonzalitosin-i, Hexacosanol-1, Magnesium, Manganese, Niacin, P-cymol, Potassium, Resin, Riboflavin, Selenium, Silicon, Tannins, Thiamin, Thymol, Triacontane, Zinc,
Parts Used: Aerial parts, leaves

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: increases libido relieves depression reduces blood sugar calms nerves

Other Actions: reduces spasms dries secretions stimulates digestion increases urination mildly laxative

Standard Dosage: Leaves. Infusion: 1 cup 2-3 times daily; Fluid Extract: 2-4 ml twice daily; Capsules: 3-4 g twice daily.

Damiana is a small shrub that grows 1-2 m high and bears aromatic, serrate leaves that are 10-25 cm long. The medicinal part of the plant is its leaves, which are harvested during the flowering season. Damiana is found throughout Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies, as well as in parts of South America.

Damiana's chemical composition is complex and its components have not been identified completely. The leaves contain up to 1% volatile oil that is comprised of at least 20 constituents (including 1,8-cineole, p-cymene, alpha- and beta-pinene, thymol, alpha-copaene, and calamene). Damiana leaves also contain tannins, flavonoids, beta-sitosterol, damianin (a brown, bitter substance), and the glycosides gonzalitosin, arbutin, and tetraphyllin B. Damiana has been reported to be non-toxic in humans and animals.

Only one clinical study has been conducted to validate the traditional use of the plant for sexual dysfunction and impotence. In 1999, a group of researchers in Italy administered damiana to both sexually potent and sexually sluggish (or impotent) rats. The extract had no effect on sexually potent rats but, in the others, it increased the percentage of rats achieving ejaculation and made them more sexually active. A U.S. patent was awarded in 2002 for a combination of herbs, including damiana, to "overcome natural inhibitors of human sexual response and allow for improved response and psychological effects." Another U.S. patent was awarded for an herbal combination for females, with inventors reporting that damiana could ". . . relieve anxiety, depression, headaches during menstruation, and exhaustion. Damiana also helps to balance female hormone levels and control hot flashes." A 1998 in vitro clinical study reported that components in damiana bound to progesterone receptors in cultured human breast cancer cells, leading researchers to surmise that it had a neutral or anti-estrogenic activity.

Central nervous system depressant activity has been attributed to damiana and verified by research.
Damiana's traditional use for diabetes has been studied by scientists as well. In 1984, Mexican researchers reported the hypoglycemic activity of the plant when a leaf infusion was given to diabetic mice. This effect was re-verified in Mexico when the plant was prepared in the traditional manner (as an infusion) and given orally to hyperglycemic rats. This study reported that damiana reduced blood glucose levels as well. A more recent (2002) study however, reported that an ethanol extract of damiana evidenced no hypoglycemic activity. These conflicting studies suggest that the active "hypoglycemic" chemicals in damiana may be extracted in the traditional (hot water) process, and are lost or not extracted in alcohol.

Damiana was recorded to be used as an aphrodisiac in the ancient Mayan civilization, as well as for "giddiness and loss of balance."

Damiana has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine throughout the world. It is thought to act as an aphrodisiac, antidepressant, tonic, diuretic, cough-suppressant, and mild laxative. It has been used for such conditions as depression, anxiety, sexual inadequacy, debilitation, bed-wetting, menstrual irregularities, gastric ulcers, and constipation.

Following-up, a brief summary of wordwide ethnomediacal uses of damiana.

Region	Uses
Bahamas	for childbirth, headache, menstrual irregularities, urinary insufficiency
Brazil	for albuminuria, alcoholism, anorexia, asthenia, bronchitis, constipation, convalescence, debilitation, diabetes, diarrhea, digestive problems, dyspepsia, fertility problems, gallbladder disorders, indigestion, impotence, kidney problems, malaria, nervousness, nocturia, paralysis, respiratory ailments, rheumatism, syphilis, ulcers, urinary incontinence, vaginal discharge, weakness, and as an aphrodisiac, diuretic, and expectorant
Cuba	as an aphrodisiac, diuretic, and menstrual stimulant
England	for anxiety, constipation, depression, dyspepsia, hypochondria, neurosis, sexual debility, thymus problems, water retention
Germany	for depression, nervous debility, and as an aphrodisiac
Haiti	for colds, intestinal problems, venereal disease, and as an aphrodisiac
Mexico	for asthma, bronchitis, colds, constipation, cough, diabetes, dysentery, dyspepsia, earaches, eye disorders, exhaustion, flu, headache, impotence, infections, infertility, inflammation, intestinal problems, malaria, menstrual disorders, nephritis, nervous disorders, neurosis, panacea, paralysis, stomachache, syphilis, urinary problems, vaginal dryness, weakness, and as an aphrodisiac, central nervous system depressant, astringent, diuretic, and expectorant
South America	for asthma, asthenia, bronchitis, cystitis, depression, impotence, urethritis, and as an antiseptic, aphrodisiac, expectorant, laxative, and stimulant
United States	for anxiety, constipation, cystitis, depression, frigidity, headaches, hypochondria, impotence, menstrual disorders, nervous disorders, sexual disorders, and as an adaptogen, aphrodisiac, diuretic, energizer, expectorant, stimulant and tonic
Elsewhere	for anxiety, bladder problems, childbirth, colds, cough, constipation, cystitis, debilitation, depression, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, fever, headache, hot flashes, impotence, infections, malaria, menopause, menstruation, nephritis, nervousness, neurasthenia, paralysis, renitis, sexual inadequacies,stomachache, syphilis, tulcers, venereal disease, and as an aphrodisiac, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant and tonic

DAMIANA PLANT SUMMARY

Main Preparation Method:	infusion or capsules
Main Actions (in order):	aphrodisiac, antidepressant, central nervous system depressant, anti-anxiety, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions)
Main Uses:	as a male and female sexual stimulant used to treat erectile dysfunction and anorgasmia to tone, balance, and strengthen the central nervous system and for emotional stress, depression, and anxiety as a general hormonal balancing for nervous stomach, colic, and dyspepsia for mood disorders (hypochondria, obsessive compulsive disorder, neurosis, paranoia, etc)
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	aphrodisiac, central nervous system depressant
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	anti-anxiety, antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, cough suppressant, aperient (mild laxative), astringent, bitter digestive stimulant, diuretic, expectorant, hormonal, nervine (balances/calms nerves), tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions)
Traditional Preparation:	The traditional remedy calls for 2-4 g of dried leaves infused in a cup of boiling water; 2-3 cups are taken daily. Alternatively, 2-4 ml of a liquid extract or 3-4 grams of powdered leaf in tablets or capsules taken twice daily can be substituted if desired.
Contraindications:	Damiana has demonstrated mild hypoglycemic effects. Persons with diabetes and hypoglycemia should use this plant with caution, as blood sugar levels should be monitored accordingly for this possible effect. Damiana has a traditional use as an abortive and is contraindicated during pregnancy.
Drug Interactions:	None reported, however, it might potentiate antidiabetic medications and reduce the absorption of iron.

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