Damiana Leaf

Damiana is a small shrub of the family Turneraceae and is native to the regions of Mexico, Central and South America and West Indies. The scientific name of damiana plant is Turnera diffusa. The leaves of this plant are aromatic, and their smell is said to be somewhat similar to that of chamomile. Like chamomile, it can also be taken as a tea. The leaves of damiana can be used to prepare herbal tea, which was once used by the native people of Central and South America, for its supposed aphrodisiac properties. Apart from making tea, this herb is also used in the traditional Mexican liqueur. Its leaves are also smoked and is said to produce a calm and euphoric effect on the body and mind.

Damiana Benefits

Its leaves were historically used as an aphrodisiac, and also to relieve anxiety, depression and nervousness. However, enough scientific evidences are not there to prove this claim. Even its effectiveness in increasing human libido is controversial, and so far, no human study has been carried out in this regard. Nevertheless, damiana continues to be used as an herbal cure for a number of conditions, which are enumerated below.

• Damiana herb is mainly used as an aphrodisiac to boost libido and treat impotency in men. A study carried out in potent and impotent male rats has found that, its leaf extract improved the mating behavior of impotent male rats, but no difference was seen in potent male rats. It is presumed to be helpful in treating erectile dysfunction in men.
• It is considered as a tonic for the central nervous system. It is used as a central nervous system depressant to alleviate conditions like, anxiety, nervousness and depression.
• It leaves may provide relief in painful menstruation. It can be used for delayed menstrual periods or menstrual irregularities as well.
• It is a natural laxative and hence, can help to ensure regular bowel movements. So, people having constipation may find this herb quite beneficial.
• It is supposed to have hormone balancing properties. It helps to manage the hormonal fluctuations associated with menopause and thereby, assists in relieving menopause symptoms.
• Apart from these, this herb also helps to increase metabolism, relieve cough, asthma and bronchitis. It can prove helpful for treating urinary tract infections as well.

Damiana Leaf Side Effects

Its side effects are usually not serious in nature and are usually experienced when the herb or its extract is taken excessively. An overdose can cause mild indigestion, nausea and diarrhea. This herb contains a compound, called arbutin, which is a glycoside compound. This compound is converted to hydroquinone in the urinary tract. Excess of hydroquinone can cause nausea, vomiting and tinnitus. Presence of a significantly large amount of hydroquinone in the urinary tract can also cause convulsions.

It can affect the blood sugar levels, so diabetic people should be cautious while using this herbal medicine. They should talk to their physician regarding the use of this herb. They also need to regularly monitor their blood sugar levels while taking damiana. People smoking it for recreational purposes, can experience irritation in the lung tissues and headache. Smoking damiana can also affect the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. In addition to these, some other possible side effects are, insomnia, weight loss, low blood sugar and irritation of the urethral mucosa.

Its continuous usage can adversely affect the absorption of iron, eventually. Moreover, certain people can be allergic to it. Such people can experience symptoms of allergic reactions such as itching, hives, skin rash, unusual swelling of the face, tongue and lips, and breathing difficulty, after ingesting its leaves. The effects of damiana on children, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women have not been established. Therefore, they should never use this herb without the permission of their health care provider.

The usual or the traditional way to take damiana is to prepare a tea with its leaves which can be prepared by infusing the dried leaves in boiling water. However, before using it for medicinal purposes, it is better to have a discussion with a herbalist and your health care provider about the appropriate dosage, how to use it and what kind of precautions have to be maintained while taking it. This would help you to avoid the unwanted side effects of this herb.