Damiana - Side Effects and Benefits

Botanical Name of Damiana: Turnera Aphrodisiaca and Turnera diffusa.

Other Common Names:
Damiane, oreganillo, the bourrique, Mexican damiana, Mexican holly, damiana de Guerrero, damina.

Habitat:
Damiana is a small shrub with aromatic leaves that grows in Mexico, Central and South America, and the West Indies. Although it is still found in the wild in certain areas, most of the damiana used in herbal remedies today comes from Mexican and Latin American herbal ranches.

Plant Parts Used:
The leaves of the damiana plant are used for medicinal purposes. These are usually dried but can be used fresh as well.

Damiana Flower
(Turnera diffusa)
(Click on image to enlarge)

Damiana Leaf Powder and Capsules

Damiana Leaf Capsules by Starwest Botanicals Damiana LeafPowder by Starwest Botanicals

Therapeutic Uses, Claims and Benefits of Damiana

• Damiana has been shown to help boost energy and reduce the effects of exhaustion.

The Medicinal Herb Damiana
(Turnera diffusa)

• This herb has traditionally been used as an aphrodisiac. Modern research supports this use as well. It has been shown to increase sperm count in males and the strength of eggs in females, help with erectile dysfunction and anorgasmia. It has also been shown to help increase blood flow and stimulation in sexual organs.
• Damiana has anti-depressant properties and helps to boost the overall mood and bring about a general feeling of well-being.
• This medicinal herb has hormonal balancing properties. It has been shown to help with the hormonal imbalances common with menopause in women.
• Damiana is also used for treating mood disorders. It helps level hormonal responses and boost mood.
• This herb has been used as a central nervous system depressant to help with CNS disorders and modify and control the nervous response.
• Constipation is another condition that has been treated with this herb.
• Traditional uses for damiana include; anti-anxiety, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, cough suppressant, mild laxative, digestive stimulant, expectorant, diuretic, and astringent.

Dosage and Administration

Damiana can be administered in an infusion of the dried leaves, as a fluid extract from the leaves or a capsule of the crushed dry leaves.

Customary daily dosages are:
Infusion: 1 cup of the infusion 2 to 3 times daily.
Fluid Extract: 2 to 4milliliters twice daily.
Capsules: 3 to 4 grams twice daily.

Side Effects and Possible Interactions of Damiana

Damiana is relatively safe in regular doses, although the long term effects of damiana use have not been tested. Damiana does have a traditional background as an abortive and therefore should not be taken during pregnancy. The safety of this supplement in children has not been tested so it should not be used by children. Damiana does have a mild hypoglycemic effect so those on diabetes medication or those who suffer from hypoglycemia must use caution with this supplement. Damiana may interfere with the body’s absorption of iron, so iron levels must be monitored while on this herb.

Leave a Comment or Tips on Damiana

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Name: Susie
E-mail: nursesusie39@yahoo.com
Date posted: January 17, 2012 - 11:43 am
Message: I think this herb has been a life saver for me. Until I found this. I was tired fatigued my muscles hurt all the time and I was at a stand still with my weight. After a week I feel like I am 25 but I am 44. Its been a blessing, Menopause is not nice.....

Name: mrlonnell
E-mail: Private
Date posted: June 24, 2011 - 06:09 pm
Message: I think damiana works best if you smoke a small amount. I get the same benefits but I believe when you smoke the leaf it works immediatly and better.

Name: Arianna
E-mail: Private
Date posted: May 17, 2011 - 03:17 am
Message: Damiana is amazing and I have come across it by accident. I am using it to treat symptoms of menopause. I took it regularly for about a week before noticing a difference, and after a month all symptoms were gone. I am now free of hot flushes and back to normal. Believe me, menopause is one nasty process most women will go through and since HRT was found to be dangerous nothing much is out there to help.

Name: Adriana
E-mail: breakers02@hotmail.com
Date posted: March 21, 2011 - 02:59 pm
Message: I started using Damiana tea infusion about two monthds ago. I have been told that it helps with the low sexual desire. I was worried because I am only a 32 years old female and I was loosing the sexual desire for my husband. I started drinking this tea, and i am wonderful, i was so surprise when my body started having all of this urge for sex.

Name: Ben
E-mail: Private
Date posted: March 19, 2011 - 06:25 pm
Message: I have used Damiana off and on for years. I noticed that it improves libido, gives me energy and will push away depression. I have also noticed that some times I will have lower back pains, similar to a kidney infection. I have heard and tried taking it with lemon juice will stop it from affecting the kidneys. Use lemon with damiana tea or drink leamonaide will pills, and you will not have lower back pain.

Name: justine
E-mail: Private
Date posted: January 10, 2011 - 07:35 am
Message: I have very low libido but when i took the Damiana it really worked for me and is still working

Name: arthur
E-mail: chef_arthur@hotmail.com
Date posted: August 12, 2011 - 04:25 am
Message: Drink as tea and take l-arginne you will see amazing results.

Name: Amy
E-mail: Private
Date posted: November 16, 2010 - 12:57 pm
Message: I am 29, and have had severe depressive episodes over the last few years, especially around my menstrual cycle, as well as extremely high anxiety. I've taken a low dose of damiana (3-450mg capsules/day) for approximately one month, and have noticed a huge improvement in mood and ability to cope every day. There as been an increase in libido, but somewhat less of a change than what I've experienced on an emotional level.

Name: Janet
E-mail: Private
Date posted: November 05, 2010 - 05:11 am
Message: I am a 49 year old woman and started taking Damiana to revitalise my sex drive - it works very well!

Name: Rachel
E-mail: Private
Date posted: September 05, 2010 - 08:54 pm
Message: I have suffered from headaches and depression.. I can tell it made my headaches go away and it does boost your mood.. I would suggest it to anyone!!

Name: Pat
E-mail: Private
Date posted: April 14, 2011 - 01:04 pm
Message: Fabulous as a libido enhancer, what a relief!

Name: sharon
E-mail: Private
Date posted: July 28, 2010 - 12:42 pm
Message: I am 58 years old and have been taking damiana on and off for several years. I just recently started taking it again and my mood swings have changed drastically AND I am having multiple [4-5] orgasms . I highly recommend damiana use....

Name: Faye
E-mail: Private
Date posted: March 16, 2010 - 11:40 am
Message: I am a 54 year old menopausal woman who started taking damiana about a month ago and what a difference, no moodiness, crying, depression it took it all away...

Name: Sandy
E-mail: Private
Date posted: January 26, 2012 - 01:05 am
Message: It works, it works, I am now in menopause and have recently restarted taking Damiana. Even while going through pms I was terrible, cranky, weepy, moody but Damiana helped tremondusly. Highly recommended.

"The human body is the best picture of the human soul. "
Ludwig Wittgenstein