Damiana Leaf Extract

Damiana leaf has a tea-like aroma which is also honey like and floral. The extracts are collected from a plant called Turnera diffusa Willd. ex Schult. (syn. Turnera aphrodisiaca) in the Turneraceae plant family. Damiana is a small sub-tropical shrub bearing aromatic serrated leaves and small bright yellow flowers.

 The plant grows in hot climates such as Mexico,, Central America, West Indies, and South America

The plant is also known as Damiana, Damiane, Oreganillo, The Bourrique, Old Woman’s Broom, Mexican Holly, Damiana de Guerrero. The name comes from the Greek daman or damia meaning “to tame or subdue”.

Uses

It is believed that the indigenous Guaycura in the Baja region of Mexico were the first to use damiana. According to legend, the herb became wore widely distributed when the Guaycura began trading with the Aztecs. Damiana was also used by the ancient Mexican Indians such as the Mayans as a sexual stimulant or aphrodisiac, and as a kidney tonic to benefit health generally. Some have called it natural Viagra. Apparently, it helps treat loss of balance and giddiness. The Aztecs who followed the Mayans used extracts of the leaf as a health tonic.

The leaf is available in many formats including a tea, liquid extract and in capsules. It’s often taken in combination with other herbs. ArginMax for example is a proprietary nutritional supplement for enhancing female sexual function, consisting of extracts of ginseng, ginkgo, and damiana, L-arginine, multivitamins, and minerals.

Extracts are highly popular in bars and restaurants where it is added to cocktails

Male Sexual Health

Damiana extracts are used to alleviate issues associated with inability to maintain erection or reduce erectile dysfunction. It also helps to reduce anxiety and stress which are related to poor sexual performance. It apparently not only boosts libido but enhances sexual pleasure.

A notable 2009 study at the Mexican National institute of Psychiatry presented evidence of its potency as an aphrodisiac. A number of flavonoids not found in other plants are attributed to its efficacy. Its activity is said to increase blood flow to smooth muscle areas especially the genitals during sexual stimulation which encourages erection.

Women’s Sexual Health

Mexican women use the leaves in a tea to stimulate sexual desire.

One clinical study (Ito et al., 2001) with 77 subjects who were over 21 and were keen to improve the sexual appetite showed some marked benefits with supplementation with ArginMax. The study was placebo controlled. After 4 weeks of supplementation, nearly 75 percent of the group taking the supplement described marked improvements in their overall sex life compared to 37 per cent in the group taking the placebo. Notable improvements were also observed in sexual desire, reduction of vaginal dryness, frequency of sexual intercourse and orgasm, and clitoral sensation.

Cooking

Damiana leaf is a food flavour. In Mexico it flavours beverages and teas. It is approved by the US Food & Drug administration where it has GRAS status (Generally Recognised As Safe).

Preparation & Use

Dried damiana leaf can be brewed into a tea, made into a tincture, used in herbal smoking blends, or powdered and encapsulated. A fresh plant tincture of aerial portions may be made as well. Damiana leaves are often infused in alcohol to make liqueurs or cordials.

Issues

Convulsions

High doses of damiana can cause convulsing which are similar to tetanus. Whilst there is no standard recommendation for a dose because of lack of scientific examination, a traditional level is 2 to 4g of dried damiana leaf taken three times per day.

Compounds

The main constituents of damiana include: Albuminoids, alpha-copaene, alpha-pinene, arbutin, barterin, beta-pinene, beta-sitosterol, calamenene, caoutchouc, chlorophyll, 1,8-cineole, cymene, cymol, damianin, essential oil, gamma-cadinene, gonzalitosin-i, hexacosanol-1, luteolin, quinovopyranosides, tannins, tetraphyllin b, thymol, triacontane, and trimethoxyflavones.

Products

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The products and the information provided about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration or by any other national regulatory body and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician/doctor or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problems or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication or if you suspect you might have a health problem. 

References

Ito, T.Y., Trant, A.S., Polan, M.L. (2001) A double-blind placebo-controlled study of ArginMax, a nutritional supplement for enhancement of female sexual function. J. Sex Marital. Ther. Oct-Dec; 27(5) pp. 541-549 PMID: 11554217 (Article)