Damiana has two sub-species: turnera diffusa and turnera aphrodisiaca. It is found growing wild in the Americans and Africa. Also known as Mexican Damiana and Old Woman Broom, damiana has been traditionally used as an aphrodisiac, for gastrointestinal disorders and as a diuretic to increase the flow of urine. Although the FDA has not evaluated damiana for its effectiveness and safety, there are many benefits commonly associated with the drug.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
The Mexican people commonly use damiana when they have gastrointestinal problems. Damiana is said to have a positive impact as an anti-bacterial when it comes to the gastric tract.Damiana
Damiana was recorded to be used as an aphrodisiac in the ancient Mayan civilization, as well as for “giddiness and loss of balance.” A Spanish missionary first reported that the Mexican Indians made a drink from the damiana leaves, added sugar, and drank it for its purported power to enhance lovemaking.
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Sexual Stimulant
Damiana is commonly used to treat sexual dysfunction in women. One of the most popular supplements that contains damiana for this purpose is called ArginMax. The trouble with testing this supplement is that there are various other components like ginko, ginseng and multivitamins in it as well, so knowing the exact effect that damiana has in the mixture is difficult to determine.
Weight Loss
Extract from the damiana plant has also been used in certain weight loss supplements. One supplement, known as YGD, uses damiana, but as with the case of sexual stimulants, damiana is paired with other compounds and has not been subject to study for this purpose alone.
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Damiana [Turnera diffusa]
Damiana grows in hot and humid climates such as Central America and Southern Africa.
Damiana is a medicinal plant with many traditional uses and a reputation as an aphrodisiac.
Traditionally, it is believed to benefit sexual disorders, allergies and infections. Essential oils
produced by this plant are used in traditional medicine, and for the preparation of liquors
and tea. The most abundant constituents of the oils were caryophyllene oxide,
caryophyllene, delta-cadinene, elemene and 1,8-cineol. [2]
Researchers at Aeron Biotechnology tested 150 herbs for their relative capacity to compete
with estradiol and progesterone binding to intracellular receptors for progesterone (PR) and
estradiol (ER) in intact human breast cancer cells. They found that soy, licorice, red clover,
thyme, tumeric, hops, and verbena are the highest ER-binding herbs while oregano,
verbena, tumeric, thyme, red clover and damiana are the highest PR-binding herbs and
spices. In general, ER-binding herbal extracts were agonists, much like estradiol, whereas
PR-binding extracts, were neutral or antagonists. [3]
Researchers from University of Hawaii conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to
determine the role of dietary supplementation on sexual function in women of differing
menopausal status. In this study, the researchers supplied a herbal complex containing
L-arginine, ginseng, ginkgo, damiana, multivitamins, and minerals to 55 women with a low
sexual desire. After four weeks of treatment, premenopausal women primarily reported
significant improvement in level of sexual desire (72%) and satisfaction with overall sex life
(68%). While, among perimenopausal women, primary improvements were reported for
frequency of intercourse (86%), satisfaction with sexual relationship (79%), and vaginal
dryness (64%) compared with placebo group. POST women primarily showed an increased
in level of sexual desire(51%). Thus, researchers suggest its potential benefits in sexual
concerns. [1]
In another study of 77 women over the age of 21 years, 34 received a herbal preparation
containing extracts of ginseng, ginkgo, and damiana, L-arginine, multivitamins, and
minerals.After 4 weeks, 73.5% of the herb-treated group improved in satisfaction with their
overall sex life, compared with 37.2% of the placebo group. The researchers reported
notable improvements in sexual desire, reduction of vaginal dryness, frequency of sexual
intercourse and orgasm, and clitoral sensation. They reported no significant side effects in
the study. [5]
Researchers from Medical Center Charlottenlund, Denmark, noticed a herbal mixture
containing Yerbe Mate, Guarana and Damiana prolonged gastric emptying time and reduced
body weight in a study of 44 healthy overweight subjects. [4]
Side Effects of Damiana
Based on its action, it affects the female hormonal system, may cause stomach upset and
weight loss. Its side effects may also include stool loosening.
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR
DOCTOR.
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Damiana is a small shrub with an aromatic leaf found on dry, sunny, rocky hillsides in south Texas, Southern California, Mexico, and Central America. The leaf has been used as an aphrodisiac and to boost sexual potency by the native peoples of Mexico, including the Mayan Indians. The two species used in herbal healing, both of which are referred to as damiana.
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