Some words about the aphrodisiac damiana Damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca or Turnera diffusa) is an herb growing naturally in Central America, Mexico, South America, and the West Indies. It is classified botanically as: Division: Magnoliophyta. Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Malpighiales, Family: Turneraceae, Genus: Turnera, Species: T. diffusa

The plant is a decidious shrub growing to 1m by 0.6m . It blossoms from July to August. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). It blossoms in the summer months and the flowers gives rise to a fruit tasting like figs.

The whole plant is a bitter, pungent, warming herb with a fig-like flavour. The plants are harvested when in flower and are dried for later use.

The leaves are used as a tea substitute and also as a flavouring in liqueurs. They have a strongly aromatic slightly bitter taste.

Habitat and requirements

The plant requires well-drained dry soil and much light, and do not tolerate frost. It can grow in variable types of soils as for example acid, neutral or alcaline, sandy soil or clay soil as long as the soil drains good. It is found in woodlands, sunny Edges, or by west or south walls.

How to cultivate

One must saw the seed in greenhouse. The seedlings must be replaced to individual pots, once they are large enough and then grown further in the greenhouse during the first winter.

Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. The plants must have some protection from winter cold for at least their first winter outdoors.

Traditional uses

Traditionally the plant has been used ny the Maya indians as a female aphrodisiac. Native Mexican women have long drunk an infusion of the herb a couple of hours before bedtime to prime themselves for their men.

Frio de la matriz is an illness suffered by post-partum women, if they do not set aside other activities in order to care for themselves or their babies in a period, with symptoms as pelvic congestion, menstrual irregularities and loss of libido. These symptoms may persist up to several years after delivery if the conditions is not treated. The name means "coldness of the womb or the uterus". In traditional hispnic maternal care, women is given a period of 40 days to care only for themselves and the baby to prevent this illness.

Damiana is the traditional treatment in hispanic population for this condition.

Medicinal Uses

The herb partly stimulates some functions of the sentral nervous system and partly relaxes other functions. The herb may helps against depression, anxiety, poor apetite and nervous exhaustion.

It is also helpful for other conditions that can be relieved partly through strengthening of some signals from the nervous system to various organs and partly by toning down other signals.

These basic actions upon nervous activities and nerve signalling can also be used for comfort agsinst unwanted bodily feelings and for boostning dezired feelings in the body, for example feelings in the genital zone.

The herb is a usefull female aphrodisiac with these composite effects:

It arouses sexual desire by woman

It also increases a womens energy

It controls flashes during menopause

It balances the womans hormonal system

Helps against infertility

Helps against painful menstruation and vaginal discharge.

For men the herb has the following effects:

Increases of the sperm count

Helps against imponency, and premature ejaculation.

Helps against infertility.

Helps against prostate trouble.

The herb stimulates the digestive system and healps against atonic constipation, poor digestion and poor appetite.

Damiana is used as a laxative for children. It stimulates muscle contractions of the intestinal tract.

The herb further generally stimulates the genito-urinary tract and rejuvenates kidney energy.

Damiana has further been used for pulmonary (lung) disorders (including asthma) and to help for emphysema. It has been used for cough preparations, and helps against symptoms of cold and flu.

Damiana is and as a general body cleanser.

Damiana is believed to be more effective when combined with other herbs of similar or complementary activity.

Damiana can also be smoked, and the effect of this use is mostly relaxing, like the effect of cannabis. It is doubtful if this type of use is to be recomended.

How it is prepared and used

Damiana tea: Add 250 ml (1 cup) boiling water to 1 gram of dried leaves, and let it steep ten to fifteen minutes. Drink three cups per day.

Damianaa is also sold as tincture or capsules. Take tablets or capsules in the amount of 400-800 mg three times per day. In tincture form, it is to be taken as 2-3 ml 3 times a day

Active substances

Most research has been done on the essential oil of damiana, which includes numerous small, fragrant substances called terpenes. As yet, it is unclear if the essential oil is truly the main active fraction of damiana.

The leaves also contain the antimicrobial substance arbutin, alkaloids, and other potentially important compounds.

Precautions

Damiana is a safe herb with very few reports of unwanted effects. Damiana may occationally cause hedaches and insomnia.

In animal studies, damiana may have affected blood sugar levels. Individuals who have diabetes may want to avoid using it.

Very little information is available on how damiana might affect a developing fetus, an infant, or a small child. Therefore, its use is not recommended for small children, during breast-feeding or during pregnancy.

In one reported case, a person having taken 200 grams damiana (7 ounces) got epileptic seizures.

Some references

Alarcon-Aguilar FJ, Roman-Ramos R, Flores-Saenz JL, Aguirre-Garcia F. Investigation on the hypoglycaemic effects of extracts of four Mexican medicinal plants in normal and alloxan-diabetic mice. Phytotherapy Research. 2002;16(4):383-386.

Taylor L. Herbal Secrets of the Rainforest, 2nd edition. Roseville, California. Prima Publishing, Inc. 2002.




Damiana - Turnera diffusa (A picture from wikipedia.org)