Damiana Herb & Damiana Benefits
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Turnera
diffusa, known as damiana, is a shrub native to Central America, Mexico, South
America, and the Caribbean. It belongs to the family Turneraceae.
Damiana
is a relatively small shrub that produces small, aromatic flowers. It blossoms
in early to late summer and is followed by fruits that taste similar to figs.
The shrub is said to have an odor somewhat like chamomile, due to an oil present
in the plant. The leaves have traditionally been made into a tea which was used
by native people of Central and South America for its aphrodisiac effects.
Spanish missionaries first recorded that the Mexican Indians drank Damiana tea
mixed with sugar for its ability to enhance lovemaking.
Damiana is conventionally made into a tea. In herbal medicine, damiana is
used to treat conditions ranging from coughs to constipation to depression. The
herbal supplement is reputed to help with Fibromyalgia, energy, emphysema, low
estrogen, frigidity, hot flashes, impotency, infertility, menopause, Parkinson's
disease, PMS, inflammation of prostate, Lou Gehrig's disease, and more dealing
with reproductive organs in both males and females.
Damiana is an
ingredient in a traditional Mexican liqueur, which is sometimes used in lieu of
Triple Sec in margaritas. Mexican folklore claims that it was used in the
"original" margarita. The damiana margarita is popular in the Los Cabos region
of Mexico.
Damiana can also be smoked, whereby the effects have been
reported as somewhat similar to Cannabis sativa although milder and more
relaxing. Smoking 0.5 to 1gram at a time can result in strong introspective and
hallucinogenic experiences many find unpleasant due to the lack of euphoria and
a minor severe hangover headaches. In some places in Australia, Damiana is used
as an alternative to tobacco when smoked with Marijuana. Damiana supposedly has
a synergistic effect with Passionflower which when smoked in a combination has
been said to be extremely relaxing and promotes lucid dreaming. Damiana has been
included as an ingredient in
herbal cigarettes.
Damiana has been used by Agent Provocateur in
their Beauty Range products for its aphrodisiacal qualities. It has been
combined in their Poudre D'Amour with Purple Orchid, Passionflower and Cocoa.
While scientists have not yet found any conclusive data on Damiana's
psychoactive effects, it has recently been shown that a chemical essential to
the plant's structure, damianin, has certain effects on the central nervous
system. This chemical may therefore account, in part, for the reports of
psychoactive effects, however the research involved is limited at this point.
EdibleNature also carries bulk Damiana, including
25 pound box of Damiana Leaf.