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| DAMIANA |
Family: Turneraceae
Genus: Turnera
Species: diffusa, aphrodisiaca
Common Names: Damiana, Damiane, Oreganillo, The Bourrique
Part Used: Aerial Parts, Leaves |
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| DESCRIPTION |
Properties/Actions: |
Aphrodisiac, Antidepressant, Diuretic, Emmemagogue, Hormonal,
Laxative, Nervine, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic |
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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, |
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Traditional Remedy: |
One-half cup leaf infusion 2 times daily or 1-3 ml of a 4:1
tincture twice daily. 3 to 4 grams of powdered leaf in tablets or
capsules twice daily can be substituted if desired. See Traditional Herbal Remedies
Preparation Methods page if necessary for definitions. |
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| ETHNOBOTANY: WORLDWIDE
USES |
Bahamas |
Ache(Head), Enuresis |
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Elsewhere |
Aphrodisiac, Catarrh, Laxative, Nervine, Stimulant,
Venereal |
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French |
Aphrodisiac |
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Haiti |
Aphrodisiac, Cold, Intestine, Liqueur, Tonic, Venereal |
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Mexico |
Ache(Stomach), Amaurosis , Aphrodisiac, Astringent, Diabetes,
Diuretic, Dysentery, Dyspepsia, Intestine, Malaria, Nerve, Panacea,
Paralysis, Renitis, Syphilis, Tonic |
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US |
Aphrodisiac, Astringent, Dysmenorrhea , Expectorant, Laxative,
Stimulant, Tonic |
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Damiana is a small shrub with aromatic leaves found
throughout Mexico, Central and South America and the West Indies. The
leaves, are lanceolate, 10-25 mm long with three to six teeth along the
margins.(1,2) The botanical name of the plant describes its use
as an aphrodisiac, Turnera aphrodisiaca.(3) In the
ancient Maya civilization Damiana was used for "giddiness and loss of
balance".(2) and as an aphrodisiac.(4) From 1888 to
1947, Damiana leaf and elixir was listed in the National Formulary
(NF).(2) For more than 100 years, Damiana's use has been
associated with improving sexual function in both males and females.
Damiana acts as an antidepressant, tonic, diuretic, to treat coughs and as
a mild laxative.(3) Dr. Balch reports that Damiana "relieves
headaches, controls bed-wetting, and stimulates muscular contractions of
the intestinal tract" and makes the comment that "damiana interferes with
iron absorption when taken internally."(5) The leaves are used
in Germany to "relieve excess mental activity and nervous
debility."(6) and a tonic action on the hormonal and central
nervous systems. E.F. Steinmetz states that in Holland, Damiana is renown
for its sexual enhancing qualities and positive effect on the reproductive
organs.(7) |
The chemical composition of damiana is complex and components have not
been completely identified. However, the known make-up is 0.5-1% volatile
oil, gonzalitosin (cyanogic glycoside), arbutin, tannin and damianin (a
brown bitter substance).(1, 2, 8) The leaf also contains
beta-sitosterol, which may account for the stimulant effect on the sexual
organs.(4) |
Footnotes: |
- Leung, Albert and Steven Foster, 1996. Encyclopedia of Common
Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, John Wiley
& sons, Inc.
- Review of Natural Products, July, 1996. "Damiana, " Facts and
Comparisons.
- Hoffman, David, 1991. The money1 Holistic Herbal, Element,
Inc.
- Mowrey, Daniel, The Scientific Validation of Herbal
Medicine, 1986.
- Balch, James F. and Phyllis A. Balch, 1990. Prescription for
Nutritional Healing, Avery Publishing Group.
- Hobbs, Christopher, 1995. " Herbal Prescriber" (software).
- Steinmetz, E.F., 1960. Acta Phytother., 7, 1.
- Domínguez XA; Hinojosa M, Mexican medicinal plants. XXVIII.
Isolation of 5-hydroxy-7,3',4'-trimethoxy-flavone from Turnera diffusa. Planta Med, 30: 1, 1976 Aug, 68-71
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| REFERENCED QUOTES ON DAMIANA |
4 "Medicinal Action and
Uses: Mild purgative, diuretic, tonic, acting directly on the reproductive
organs, stimulant, hypochondriastic, aphrodisiac." 5 "Relieves headaches,
controls bed-wetting, and stimulates muscular contractions of intestinal
tract. WARNING: Damiana interferes with iron absorption when taken
internally." 6 "Actions. yang tonic, aphrodisiac, diuretic, stimulating
nervine, mild laxative, urinary antiseptic; good for impotence in men and
frigidity in women. Stimulating nervine, good for the male hormonal
system; antidepressant." 7 "Almost all cultural traditions in the world
have favourite herbs that have the reputation of increasing libido and of
reversing impotence. For one of them, Damiana, such a reputation was even
carried into its botanical name, Turnera aphrodisiaca. Actions: Nerve
tonic, anti-depressant, urinary antiseptic, laxative. Indications: Damiana
is an excellent strengthening remedy for the nervous system. It has an
ancient reputation as an aphrodisiac. Whilst this may or may not be true,
it has a definite tonic action on the central nervous and the hormonal
system. The pharmacology of the plant suggests that the alkaloids could
have a testosterone-like action (testosterone is a male hormone). As a
useful anti-depressant, Damiana is considered to be a specific in cases of
anxiety and depression where there is a sexual factor. It may be used to
strengthen the male sexual system." 15 "Mexican damiana is classed as
aphrodisiac, stimulant, tonic, and diuretic. The herb has been
scientifically accepted in Mexico as a reliable remedy for exhaustion,
catarrhal inflammation of the bladder, and cases of sexual impotence
especially when caused by excesses. It is also used for orchitis
(inflammation of a testicle) and spermatorrhea (involuntary emissions).
The plant is said to exert a favorable influence on the spinal column, and
some Mexican physicians employ it as a brain tonic. It is also prescribed
in nephritis (kidney inflammation).
In England and Germany, damiana is
used for its aphrodisiac properties. In Holland, medical herbalist
Steinmetz states that the herb is so esteemed not only for its sexual
enhancing qualities, but also for "its excellent effect on the
reproductive organs." |
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