Turnera diffusa, known as damiana, is a shrub native to southwestern Texas in the United States, Central America, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean. It belongs to the family Passifloraceae.
Damiana is a small shrub that grows 1-2 m high and bears aromatic, serrate leaves that are 10-25 cm long. Small yellow flowers bloom in early to late summer which are followed by small fruits with a sweet smell and fig-like flavor. The medicinal part of the plant is its leaves, which are harvested during the flowering season. Damiana is found throughout Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies, as well as in parts of South America.
Damiana has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine throughout the world. It is thought to act as an antidepressant, tonic, diuretic, cough-suppressant, and mild laxative. It has been used for such conditions as depression, anxiety, debilitation, bed-wetting, menstrual irregularities, gastric ulcers, and constipation. In Mexico, the plant also is used for asthma, bronchitis, neurosis, diabetes, dysentery, dyspepsia, headaches, paralysis, nephrosis, stomachache, and syphilis.
Damiana has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of damiana may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
From 1888 to 1947 damiana leaf and damiana elixirs were listed in the National Formulary in the United States. Dr. James Balch reports in his book Prescription for Nutritional Healing that damiana "relieves headaches, controls bed-wetting, and stimulates muscular contractions of the intestinal tract. . . ." The leaves are used in Germany to relieve excess mental activity and nervous debility, and as a tonic for the hormonal and central nervous systems. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia cites indications for the use of damiana for "... depression, nervous dyspepsia, atonic constipation..."
Damiana's chemical composition is complex and its components have not been identified completely. The leaves contain up to 1% volatile oil that is comprised of at least 20 constituents (including 1,8-cineole, p-cymene, alpha- and beta-pinene, thymol, alpha-copaene, and calamene). Damiana leaves also contain tannins, flavonoids, beta-sitosterol, damianin (a brown, bitter substance), and the glycosides gonzalitosin, arbutin, and tetraphyllin B. Damiana has been reported to be non-toxic in humans and animals.
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.
With such an ancient history of traditional uses worldwide, it's not unusual that the plant appears in many books on herbal remedies published world wide. Damiana is also widely available in a variety of forms - from tea blends, capsules and tablets to liquid tinctures and extracts. Most herbalists prefer to use damiana in combination with other medicinal plants; therefore, it can be found in quite a few herbal combination formulas for weight loss, depression, hormonal balancing, and overall tonics. Most of the damiana sold in herbal commerce today originates from Mexican and Latin American cultivation projects.
In Louisiana, USA, Damiana is considered a "prohibited plant" along with 39 other plants by Louisiana Act No 159, effective August 8, 2005. Any combination of any of the parts, leaves, stems, stalks, seeds, materials, compounds, salts, derivatives, mixtures, preparations, or any resin extracted from any part of the plant is illegal to possess or distribute for human consumption in the state of Louisiana. This is due to a recent, alarming increase in the number of calls made to U.S. Poison Control Centers regarding legal highs, a majority coming from Louisiana.
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relieves depression |
reduces spasms |
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reduces blood sugar |
dries secretions |
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calms nerves |
stimulates digestion |
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increases urination |
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mildly laxative |
Infusion: 1 cup 2-3 times daily
Fluid Extract: 2-4 ml twice daily
Capsules: 3-4 g twice daily
The use of damiana in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
If you choose to take damiana, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Standardized extracts, tinctures, and solid formulations of herbal/health supplements may provide a more reliable dose of the product.
Take the pill forms of damiana with a full glass of water.
To ensure the correct dose, measure the liquid forms of damiana with a dropper or a dose-measuring spoon or cup.
Some forms of damiana may be brewed to form a tea for drinking.
Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets, liquids, teas, and others) of damiana at the same time, unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of damiana.
Store damiana as directed on the package. In general, damiana should be protected from light.
Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra damiana to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Do not take damiana without first talking to your doctor if you
take a medicine to treat diabetes or to control blood sugar levels such as insulin, glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Glynase, Diabeta), tolbutamide (Orinase), metformin (Glucophage), acarbose (Precose), troglitazone (Rezulin), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others;
have a history of breast cancer;
have a psychiatric disorder such as mania or schizophrenia;
have Alzheimer's disease; or
have Parkinson's disease.
The use of damiana may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Although rare, allergic reactions to damiana may occur. Stop taking damiana and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Headaches.
Bedwetting.
Depression.
Nervous upset stomach.
Constipation.
Boosting mental and physical stamina.
Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of damiana for these uses.
Damiana is LIKELY SAFE when taken in amounts commonly found in foods. Damiana is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken in medicinal amounts, but there have been serious side effects. Convulsions and other symptoms similar to rabies or strychnine poisoning have been reported after taking 200 grams of damiana extract.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of damiana during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Diabetes: Damiana might affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use damiana.
Surgery: Since damiana seems to affect blood glucose levels, there is a concern that it might interfere with blood glucose control during and after surgery. Stop using damiana at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with DAMIANA
Damiana might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking damiana along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
A U.S. patent was awarded for an herbal combination for females, with inventors reporting that damiana could ". . . relieve anxiety, depression, headaches during menstruation, and exhaustion. Damiana also helps to balance female hormone levels and control hot flashes." A 1998 in vitro clinical study reported that components in damiana bound to progesterone receptors in cultured human breast cancer cells, leading researchers to surmise that it had a neutral or anti-estrogenic activity.
Central nervous system depressant activity has been attributed to damiana and verified by research. Damiana also has been used in combination with other plants for its thermogenic activity. Two U.S. patents have been filed on oral appetite suppressants containing damiana, citing its inclusion as an anti-anxiety and thermogenic substance.
Damiana's traditional use for diabetes has been studied by scientists as well. In 1984, Mexican researchers reported the hypoglycemic activity of the plant when a leaf infusion was given to diabetic mice. This effect was re-verified in Mexico when the plant was prepared in the traditional manner (as an infusion) and given orally to hyperglycemic rats. This study reported that damiana reduced blood glucose levels as well. A more recent (2002) study however, reported that an ethanol extract of damiana evidenced no hypoglycemic activity. These conflicting studies suggest that the active "hypoglycemic" chemicals in damiana may be extracted in the traditional (hot water) process, and are lost or not extracted in alcohol.
The herbal properties of damiana are what is known as thymoleptic. That is, they possess a life enhancing and stimulating action on the body and mind of the affected person. This herbal remedy is normally prescribed for the treatment of individuals who are suffering from mild to moderate depression, including those who are affected by any long term nervous exhaustion. Affected individuals benefit from its stimulatory and restorative properties, thus the herbal remedy is considered extremely valuable when treating disorders such as anxiety and depression, especially when these affect the person at the same time. This sort of situation often happens following long term exposure to stress.
Damiana is an ingredient in a traditional Mexican liqueur.
While scientists have found inconclusive data on damiana, it has recently been shown that a chemical essential to the plant's structure, damianin, has relaxing effects on the central nervous system. This chemical may therefore account, in part, for the reports of relaxation effects, however the research involved is limited at this point.
Historically damiana has been used to relieve anxiety, nervousness, and mild depression. The herb is also used as a general tonic to improve wellness. Damiana has also been used traditionally to improve digestion and to treat constipation, as in larger doses it is thought to have a mild laxative effect.
A greenish volatile oil, smelling like chamomile, amorhpous bitter principle Damianin, resins and tannin.
Organic certified Damiana Extract is used for is aromatic properties, also as a natural anti oxidant and anti aging in skin care products as a natural component of anti wrinkle, natural anti aging, and a fragrance material in natural skin care.
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Bahamas |
for childbirth, headache, menstrual irregularities, urinary insufficiency |
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Brazil |
for albuminuria, alcoholism, anorexia, asthenia, bronchitis, constipation, convalescence, debilitation, diabetes, diarrhea, digestive problems, dyspepsia, fertility problems, gallbladder disorders, indigestion, kidney problems, malaria, nervousness, nocturia, paralysis, respiratory ailments, rheumatism, syphilis, ulcers, urinary incontinence, vaginal discharge, weakness, diuretic, and expectorant |
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Cuba |
diuretic, and menstrual stimulant |
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England |
for anxiety, constipation, depression, dyspepsia, hypochondria, neurosis, thymus problems, water retention |
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Germany |
for depression, nervous debility |
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Haiti |
for colds, intestinal problems, venereal disease |
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Mexico |
for asthma, bronchitis, colds, constipation, cough, diabetes, dysentery, dyspepsia, earaches, eye disorders, exhaustion, flu, headache, infections, infertility, inflammation, intestinal problems, malaria, menstrual disorders, nephritis, nervous disorders, neurosis, paralysis, stomachache, syphilis, urinary problems, vaginal dryness, weakness, central nervous system depressant, astringent, diuretic, and expectorant |
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South America |
for asthma, asthenia, bronchitis, cystitis, depression, urethritis, and as an antiseptic, expectorant, laxative, and stimulant |
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United States |
for anxiety, constipation, cystitis, depression, headaches, hypochondria, menstrual disorders, nervous disorders, and as an adaptogen, diuretic, energizer, expectorant, stimulant and tonic |
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Elsewhere |
for anxiety, bladder problems, childbirth, colds, cough, constipation, cystitis, debilitation, depression, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, fever, headache, hot flashes, infections, malaria, menopause, menstruation, nephritis, nervousness, neurasthenia, paralysis, rinitis, stomachache, syphilis, tulcers, venereal disease, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant and tonic |
These reviews are taken from a big internet site.
Highly Recommended March 19, 2010, From Ohio
Works wonderfully for menopausal mood swings, excellent product.
Damiana 450 mg March 16, 2008, From Australia
I am now into my second bottle and I can't say that I have really noticed much of a difference? …
damiana May 13, 2008, From Mississippi
Relaxes me
Staying healthy May 27, 2009, From Washington
Had a fungal infection recently due to a comprised immune system. This was reccommended in the literature I have. It's especially good for immune system. It is doing it's job.
Hormone-balancing September 10, 2009, From Oregon
Good for menopausal symtoms as it balances your hormones. For me it's one of the herbs that gives the best results after taking it every day for several weeks.
continued use October 19, 2009, From Massachusetts
I have used Damiana for over a year and plan to continue using it and truly like it.
Damiana November 25, 2009, From Australia
This is without a doubt one of the best products I have ever taken. My daughter told me about it. I wish I had known about it years ago.
Convenience can't be beat! June 27, 2011, From Illinois
I like the capsules of Damiana when it isn't convenient to use the liquid drops. I find 5 capsules equals the doseage of the drops. That's the amount that works for me. I try to carry them with me at all times.
Damiana is cool October 25, 2009, From Kentucky
This product has really helped with hot flashes!
Not sure yet February 21, 2010, From Iowa
We haven't used it long enough so not sure if it is working. We sure hope it does.
damiana May 07, 2009, From Iowa
Really warms up your body temp.!
great product March 14, 2011, By coco From California
I really like the way this makes me feel. great product