What is it?
The pleasant smelling and tasting leaves and stems of Damiana, a long-lived shrub that grows up to about 2 meters in height and favours hot and humid parts of the world (it is native to Central America).

How has it been used?

One of the botanical names for Damiana; Turnera aphrodisiaca gives away its traditional use. Damiana has been considered to be a potent sexual tonic for many centuries. It is thought to mimic the action of testosterone and to “provide a generally stimulating and enhancing influence on those functions that relate to the reproductive system' Simon Mills).

Damiana also has a reputation as being a tonic for the nervous system, particularly of benefit when people are tired or depressed. It is widely drunk as a tea in Latin America and Mexico with early documented use by the Mayan people where it is seen as a pleasant, stimulating beverage without the side effects of tea or coffee.

King's Dispensatory writes 'Damiana has been 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. 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 relieve excess secretions'

TJ Lyle writes 'it is a stimulating, toning nervine. The Mexicans drink of it freely to enable them to endure hardships and long journeys and to protect them from disease. It slowly but thoroughly stimulates the brain, spinal cord and the sympathetic nervous system, and is very valuable in debilitated conditions of the nervous system; in nervous prostration, paralysis and general debility. In such conditions we usually find an impaired digestion and a more or less impaired condition of the genito-urinary organs. This agent in such cases assists digestion, relieves constipation and stimulates the pelvic organs. In cases of sexual debility and impotency, spermatorhoea, prostatic troubles, enuresis, cystic catarrh, it slowly but positively relieves constipation, increases digestive powers, strengthens the nerves and improves the general health'

The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP) describes the actions of Damiana as 'antidepressant, thymoleptic (mood-modifying), reputed to be aphrodisiac, mild purgative, stomachic. It says it is indicated for 'depression, nervous dyspepsia, atonic constipation, coital inadequacy' and specifically indicated 'for anxiety neurosis with a predominant sexual factor'. The BHP suggests combining it with Oat straw, Kola nut, Skullcap and/or Hops in nerve diseases and recommends a dose of 2-4 grams by infusion and the tincture at 1:5 in 45% ethanol at a dose of 2-4 mls daily.

Thomas Bartram writes that the actions of Damiana include 'aphrodisiac, antidepressant, diuretic, stomachic, thymoleptic, stimulating tonic to the central nervous system and reproductive organs. He suggests uses for it including 'to enhance sexual performance, impotence, frigidity, sterility, prostatitis, physical weakness and nervous exhaustion, depression & anxiety states. He says it combines well 'with Skullcap & Oats for senile dementia and feeble constitution'. Bartram suggests doses of a tsp of the herb to a cup of boiling water or half to 1 tsp of the tincture.

Safety of Damiana

Damiana is regarded as extremely safe and able to be used by all ages as well as during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Too much of anything can cause adverse reactions though so it should be noted that taking especially large amounts with the erroneous belief that 'more is better' will not only not give any further benefit but will probably cause your body to reject the herb so you feel an aversion to it.