The "National Formulary" in the United States contained listings for elixir of damiana leaf and for damiana leaves from 1888 to 1947. The medicinal properties of the damiana shrub have also been recognized by the "British Herbal Pharmacopoeia." Damiana is a commonly grown shrub throughout Mexico, the West Indies and Central America.
Harvesting
There are actually three species of damiana. Tumera diffusa and Tumera aphrodisiaca both produce similar medicinal properties so, for medicinal purposes, these are classed as the same shrub. A third species, Tumera ulmifolia, provides different medical properties. The leaves, which are the part of the shrub used for medicinal purposes, are harvested throughout the flowering season. The serrated edged leaves grow from 3 inches to 9 inches long. The flowers are reminiscent of primrose flowers in shape, as well as being a pretty yellow color.
Medicinal Uses
The use of damiana leaves for medicinal purposes goes back many hundreds of years. The ancient Mayans made use of the damiana compound to correct symptoms of vertigo and the poor balance that accompanies this. It was also recorded by the Spanish missionary Jesus Maria de Salvatierraas; it was mixed with sugar and drunk for its aphrodisiac properties. Apart from its aphrodisiac properties, the leaves have been credited with correcting a number of medical problems, such as anxiety and depression; debilitation; bed-wetting; menses irregularities; gastric ulcers; constipation; and lack of sexual prowess.
Improves Sexual Prowess
Damiana's aphrodisiac properties were written about in 1820, by the Austrian botanist, Josef August Schultes. Mexicans use damiana leaf to alleviate breathing problems such as asthma and bronchitis. Damiana leaf is known to be effective for a wide range of quite dissimilar illnesses, including nephrosis, paralysis, dyspepsia, neuroses, diabetes, stomach ache as well as syphilis. In Holland, damiana has been used for many years to improve sexual prowess and for its beneficial effect on the organs of the reproductive system.
Cough Suppressants and Tonics
Damiana leaves have been made into cough-suppressants, tonics and diuretics, as well as being used as a gentle laxative. In Germany the leaves are made into a tonic to control the activity of the central nervous system as well as having an effect on hormones and being able to relieve nervous disabilities and encouraging the mental faculties to relax.
Avoid in Pregnancy
One of the more traditional uses for damiana leaf was to induce abortion in an unwanted pregnancy, so do not take it if you are expecting a child. It is always worth being aware that the damiana tea is known to reduce blood sugar levels. If this is something you would prefer to avoid, you would be better drinking damiana as a tincture.
Rather Unpalatable by Itself
Damiana tea is very bitter, so it is often combined with other herbs to make it more palatable. This is mainly due to one of the chemicals present in the dried leaves of the damiana, known as damianin. Other constituents of the dry leaf include tannins, flavonoids, beta-sitosterol and glycosides: these are gonzalitosin, tetraphyllin B and arbutin. The oil that is extracted from the damiana leaf is 1 percent volatile oil. This is made up of the chemicals: 1,8-cineole; p-cymene; alpha and beta-pinene; thymol; calamine; and alpha-copaene plus some other trace chemicals.
U.S. Patents Pending
Mountain Rose Herbs notes that there are two U.S. patents pending to be able to incorporate damiana in diet products designed to enhance people's metabolic rate. Damiana leaves have proved over the years to contain the kinds of properties that make this herb a very effective tool against many medical conditions, despite it being less well-known than many of the more popular and "designer" herbs being sold today.
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