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Damiana | | |
Native to South America and the southern regions of North America, damiana
is a small shrub with toothed, pale green leaves and reddish stems. It has
been used since ancient times for its purported aphrodisiac qualities by
the native peoples of Mexico. Damiana has also been used as a stimulant
for the nervous system, an energy tonic, and as a natural remedy to
address anxiety-related disorders. In vitro studies, as well as those
performed on mice, suggest a potentially positive benefit for use in
disorders of the urinary tract. Human clinical trials have yet to confirm
its efficacy in the area of sexual virility - that for which it is
renowned.
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| Common Name | | | Damiana
| | | Botanical Latin Name / Classification | | | Turnera diffusa
| | | Parts Used | | | Leaf and stem
| | | Other Names | | | The Bourrique, Mexican Damiana, Mexican Holly, Damiana de Guerrero Damiana
aphrodisiaca, Turnera, Turnera aphrodisiaca L.F. Ward, Turnera
microphyllia Desv., Damiane, Oreganillo.
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| | | Description | | | Damiana is a shrub which grows up to 2m high, with many-branched smooth, straight yellow or reddish-brown stems. The small leaves are alternate or in bunches and have toothed margins; their upper surface is pale green while the underside is covered with pale hairs. They have a strong aroma reminiscent of chamomile. Small yellow flowers are produced while the globular fruit contains many seeds and is covered with a resinous coating. Damiana is native to Texas, Mexico and Central America and prefers hot, humid climates.
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| | | Traditional Internal Uses | | | Damiana has been hailed as an aphrodisiac since ancient times,
particularly by the native peoples of Mexico. Other folk uses have
included asthma, bronchitis, neurosis, and various sexual disorders. It
has also been promoted as a euphoria-inducing substance.
In
addition to sexual disturbances, damiana preparations have also been used
for strengthening and stimulation during exertion (overwork), and for
boosting and maintaining mental and physical capacity.
Damiana is
stated to possess antidepressant, thymoleptic, mild purgative, stomachic
and reputedly aphrodisiac properties.(4) It has been used for depression,
nervous dyspepsia, atonic constipation, coital inadequacy, and
specifically for anxiety neurosis with a predominant sexual
factor.
Although scientifically unsubstantiated, it is believed
that damiana may effect the nervous system acting as an anti-depressant,
soothing anxiety, nervousness and mild depression, and stablizing moods.
Damiana may also stimulate the circulatory system consequently raising
energy levels to alleviate fatigue and stimulate weight loss.
The
German E Commission cites Damiana among their list of `unapproved' herbs
for which there is insufficient scientific support. Research on damiana
has been limited to in vitro studies and on mice, although results
are promising.
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| | | Indications | | | Primary Indications: Sexual Dysfunction, Reproductive System
Secondary Indications: Urinary Tract Infections and Inflammation, Cystitis, Kidney Disorders, Bladder Infections (Cystitis), Depression, Nervous System / Nervous Disorders, Stamina / Exercise
Other Indications: Constipation, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Dyspepsia, Asthma, Bronchitis, Menstruation Problems
Secondary Indications: Stress / Anxiety, Fatigue
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| | | Actions | | | Antibacterial, Antidepressant, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Aphrodisiac, Euphoric, Laxative, Purgative, Stimulant, Stomachic, Testosteromimetic, Thymoleptic
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| | | Constituents / Nutrients | | | Carbohydrates: Gum 13.5%, starch 6%,
sugars.
Cyanogenetic Glycosides: Tetraphyllin
B.(1)
Phenolic Glycoside: Arbutin (up to
0.7%).(2)
Tannins: 3.5%. Type
unspecified.
Volatile Oils: 0.5-1.0%. At least 20
components including 1,8-cineole (11%), p-cymene (2%), alpha- and
beta-pinene (2%), thymol, alpha-copaene, delta-cadinene and calamene. The
presence of 1,8-cineole and p-cymene has been
disputed.(2)
Other Constituents: Acids (fatty,
plant), alkanes (e.g. hexacosanol-1 and triacontane), damianin (7%) (a
bitter principle), flavone, Beta-sitosterol, resin (6.5%).(3)
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| | | Pharmacological Summary | | | There is limited chemical information available on damiana. While
scientific research has been limited, results suggest that damiana would
be better used as a urinary tonic as opposed to a fabled aphrodisiac.
There has been little documented clinical evidence to justify the herbal
uses, and the reputation of damiana as an aphrodisiac is confined to
animal studies.(7,8) Damiana extracts have been shown, in a test tube, to
bind weakly to progesterone receptors. Thus, damiana may be a potentially
useful herb for the female hormonal and reproductive systems.
Nevertheless, more clinical trials are taking place as the desire to
confirm the efficacy of herbal medications grows, and results often
support historical use. In view of the lack of toxicity data and reported
cyanogenetic and arbutin constituents, excessive use of damiana should be
avoided.
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| | | Scientific Research and Pharmacologicial Actions | | | In animal studies, extracts of damiana effectively sped up the mating
behavior of "sexually sluggish" or impotent male
rats:
Stimulating property of Turnera diffusa (damiana) and
Pfaffia paniculata extracts on the sexual-behavior of male
rats.
Arletti R. University of Modena and Reggio Emilia,
Italy.
Sexually potent and sexually sluggish/impotent male rats
were treated orally with different amounts of damiana and Pfaffia
paniculata fluid extracts. While having no effect on the copulatory
behavior of sexually potent rats, both plant extracts - singly or in
combination - improved the copulatory performance of sexually
sluggish/impotent rats. The highest dose of either extract (1 mL/kg) (as
well as the combination of 0.5 mL/kg of each extract) increased the
percentage of rats achieving ejaculation and significantly reduced mount,
intromission and ejaculation latencies, post-ejaculatory interval and
intercopulatory interval. Neither extract affected locomotor activity.
These results seem to support the folk reputation of damiana and Pfaffia
paniculata as sexual stimulants. It had no effect on sexually potent
rats.
Hypoglycaemic activity has been reported in mice following
both oral and intraperitoneal administration of damiana.(5) An ethanolic
extract was stated to exhibit CNS-depressant activity although no other
experimental details were available.(6)
Antibacterial activity
against Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
Staphylococcus aureus has been documented for a mixed herbal preparation,
with some of the activity attributed to damiana.(7) The same herbal
preparation was also reported to inhibit acetylcholine-induced spasm of
the isolated guinea-pig ileum, although none of the antispasmodic activity
was attributed to damiana.(7)
Arbutin is stated to be responsible
for the urinary antiseptic properties. However, the arbutin content of
damiana is much less than that quoted for uva-ursi (0.7% and 5 to 18%,
respectively).
The roots of various Turnera species have exhibited
utero-activity.
Clinical Studies
A herbal preparation
containing damiana as one of the ingredients was reported to have a
favourable effect on the symptoms of irritable bladder associated with
functional and neurohormonal disorders, and on bacterial bladder
infections.(7)
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| | | Research | | | "Damiana: Discover An Herb That Helps Boost A Flagging Libido"
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| | | Precautions / Contraindications | | | Excessive use should be avoided because of the presence of cyanogenetic
glycosides and arbutin; damiana may interfere with existing hypoglycaemic
therapy.
Pregnancy and Lactation
The safety
of damiana has not been established. In view of the lack of toxicity data
and possible cyanogenetic constituents, doses greatly exceeding amounts
used in foods should not be taken during pregnancy or lactation.
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| | | Interaction with Medications | | | None documented.
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| | | Possible Side Effects | | | The leaves have a minor laxative effect and may cause loosening of the
stools at higher amounts.
Tetanus-like convulsions and paroxysms
resulting in symptoms similar to those of rabies or strychnine poisoning
have been described in one individual following the ingestion of
approximately 200 g damiana extract; cyanide poisoning was considered to
be a possible cause. No other reported side-effects for damiana were
located.
High doses of arbutin (e.g. 1 g) are considered to be
toxic, although the concentration of arbutin documented for damiana (1 g
arbutin is equivalent to more than 100 g plant material) is probably too
low to warrant concerns over safety.
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| | | Dosage | | | Dried Leaf: 2-4 g or by infusion three times daily.
Dried
Extract: Damiana capsules are generally available in strengths that
range from 300 to 600 mg. Typically, a capsule strength of 400 to 500 mg
is recommended to be taken 3 times daily.
Liquid Extract of
Damiana: (BPC 1934) 2-4 mL.
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| | | Preparation | | | To make a tea, add 1 cup (250 mL) boiling water to 1/4 teaspoon (1 gram)
of dried leaves and allow to steep for ten to fifteen minutes. People can
drink three cups (750 mL) per day.
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| | | References | | | 1. Spencer KC, Siegler DS. Tetraphyllin B from Turnera diffusa. Planta Med
1981; 43: 175-178.
2. Auterhoff H, Hufel H-P. Inhaltsstoffe der
damiana-droge. Arch Pharm 1968; 301: 537-544.
3. Dom”nguez XA,
Hinojosa M. Mexican medicinal plants. XXVIII Isolation of
5-hydroxy-7,3',4'-trimethoxy-flavone from Turnera diffusa. Planta Med
1976; 30: 68-71.(PubMed)
4. Braun JK, Malone MH. Legal highs. Clin
Toxicol 1978; 12: 1-31.(PubMed)
5. Prez RM et al. A study of the
hypoglycemic effect of some Mexican plants. J Ethnopharmacol 1984; 12:
253-262.(PubMed)
6. Jiu J. A survey of some medical plants of Mexico
for selected biological activity. Lloydia 1966; 29: 250-259.
7.
Westendorf J. Carito-In-vitro-Untersuchungen zum Nachweis spasmolytischer
und kontraktiler Einflsse. Therapiewoche 1982; 32:
6291-6297.
Our thanks to the following information
resources: MedicinesComplete.com, Purplesage.org, Vitacost.com,
Raysahelian.com, and American Botanical Council (Herbalgram.org).
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| | 6 total products | | | Damiana (Read all about Damiana.)
Botanical Latin Name: Turnera diffusa
Plant Part: Leaf and stem | |
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Damiana - Health - Slimming Formula - Yerba Mate, Guarana & Damiana - Powder
4 oz / 114 g
20.07 US
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Damiana - Health - Slimming Formula - Yerba Mate, Guarana & Damiana - Powder
1 oz / 28 g
10.17 US
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Damiana - Health - Slimming Formula Tea (Loose) - Yerba Mate, Guarana & Damiana
4 oz / 114 g
11.77 US
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Damiana - Health - Slimming Formula Tea (Loose) - Yerba Mate, Guarana & Damiana
8 oz / 227 g
17.73 US
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Damiana - Health - Slimming Formula Tea - Yerba Mate, Guarana & Damiana
25 tea bags
11.63 US
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Damiana - Health - Slimming Formula Tea - Yerba Mate, Guarana & Damiana
50 tea bags
17.67 US
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
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