Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is an herb long used in flavoring liqueurs, as a tea substitute and a medicinal plant. In some areas, a Damiana liqueur is used in place of triple sec in the making of Margaritas, and some believe it to be part of the “original” margarita.
Damiana is a shrub with strongly aromatic leaves and yellow flowers, some consider it to have a scent like Chamomile, and the fruit to taste like figs. Damiana leaves are considered GRAS in the US as a flavor, which is described as liquorice-like with floral and slightly bitter notes and warming.
Damiana is native to the southern US, through to South America and the Caribbean. It has a long history of use among the Mayan as an aphrodisiac and general tonic, and so its older scientific name was T. aphrodisiaca.
Its traditional use is mainly as a general digestive tonic, for improving energy (from nervous or sexual exhaustion) as well as for improving mood, calming the nerves and lifting spirits.
Damiana is also used in women’s herbal medicine for benefitting certain menopausal and menstrual complaints.
In preclinical studies, Damiana has been found to improve sexual exhaustion and have indications it may improve sexual dysfunction. There is a variety of potentially active components in Damiana, notably flavonoids that appear to have similar effects to yohimbine, apigenin and caffeine.
Researchers have reported progesterone-like properties of Damiana; yet, other potential mechanisms of action which have been found are inhibition of aromatase activity, involving the pathway of Nitric Oxide production, protection of the effects of Diabetes on testes, and induction of neurotransmitter pathways.
Other research has found some confirmation for its use in hepatic illness, where it has been found to produce hepatoprotective effects, largely through a C-glycoside called hepatodamianol.
Through scientific investigation Damiana has been found to exhibit libido-enhancing, ejaculatory, hepatoprotective, anxiolytic, antidepressant, anti-hyperglycemic, gastroprotective, antioxidant, anti-ulcer, and anti-inflammatory activities.
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Photo by H. Zell