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Mexican Damiana

Scientific Names


• Turnera aphrodisiaca L.
• Turnera diffusa L.
• Turneraceae

Common Names

Damiana
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Parts Usually Used

Leaves
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Mexican damiana is a small shrub; the long, broad, obovate, toothed, light green damiana leaves have few hairs on the rib; frequented by reddish twigs. Damiana is a small mint-like plant bearing fragrant yellowish-white flowers. Plant has a warm, bitter, camphor-like taste.
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Where Found

Found in dry places in Texas, Baja California, and northern Mexico.
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Medicinal Properties

Laxative, aphrodisiac, nervine, aperient, diuretic, stimulant, tonic
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Biochemical Information

Essential oil with cineol, cymol, pinene, arbutin, hydrocyanic glycoside, bitter principle, tannin, resin
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Legends, Myths and Stories

The Mexican damiana is considered the Mexican aphrodisiac and tonic.

Damiana is a delicate scented herb used alone or in wine and liqueur compositions as bouquet garni.
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Uses

Damiana seems to be considered as something of a natural “upper”, to be taken for nervous and sexual debility. It is reputed to have aphrodisiac properties. It is also prescribed for spermatorrhea (involuntary emissions) and for treating orchitis, a condition resulting in atrophy of the testicles. Treats frigidity in women. Improves digestion, migraines, a laxative, relieves anxiety, promotes a feeling of well-being, cystitis, depression, inability to concentrate, cures constipation. A brain and blood tonic. It is usually taken in a 1:1 mixture with saw palmetto berries.
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Formulas or Dosages

Infusion: steep 1 tsp. leaves in 1 cup boiling water. Take 1 to 2 cups per day.

Fluid extract: take 15 drops to 1 tsp., 3 times per day, before meals.

Capsules: take 1 capsule for up to 3 times daily before meals. Extract: mix 10 to 30 drops in liquid daily.

Powder: taken 3 to 6 grains, 3 times a day, before meals.
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How Sold

Damiana leaves are available from herb dealers. Also, obtainable in capsule form.
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Warning

Damiana stimulates beyond the limit of our safe and healthy resources; may have ill effect on the heart. Use this herb with medical supervision.
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Bibliography

The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993

The Herbalist Almanac, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1988, fifth printing, 1994

Earl Mindell's Herb Bible, by Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., Simon & Schuster/Fireside, Rockefeller Center 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020

The Herb Book, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.

Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973

The Magic of Herbs in Daily Living, by Richard Lucas, Parker Publishing Co. (1988).

Old Ways Rediscovered, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, published from 1954, print 1988

The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.

Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992

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