Damiana has a long history as a medicinal plant and has been used for centuries throughout Mexico and Latin America for its healthful effects. Coming from the Turneraceae family, damiana is a shrub native to Central and North America whose leaves carry most of the healing properties for which it is known, according to Herbal Supplements Guide. The leaves are harvested when the shrub is in flower, and used for a variety of ailments, one of which is helping to maintain the body's hormonal balance.
Stimulating Sexual Drive
According to the Tropical Plant Database, damiana is also known by the name Turnera aphrodesiaca. As its name implies, the plant has purported uses as an aphrodisiac, helping to increase libido in both men and women by stimulating hormonal activity. Because of this ability to amplify vital energy, it is used to rejuvenate sexuality while also producing a positive effect on the reproductive organs. Additionally, damiana helps to raise sperm count in men, according to the online journal, The Natural Path.
Regulating Menstrual and Menopausal Symptoms
As reported in Home Remedy Central, damiana is effective in balancing menstrual irregularities such as cramps and excessive bleeding. It also helps to assuage symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, according to The Natural Path. These actions are due to damiana's ability to balance the hormones through its testosterone-like elements, along with its ability to bind progesterone receptors that assist in alleviating symptoms of hormonal imbalance, according to the University of California's online journal, Complementary Medicine, as well as the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health.
Properties and Use
As reported in the Tropical Plant Database, damiana leaves contain approximately 1 percent volatile oil that is made up of a mixture of healing elements, including flavenoids and tannins. Damiana is often used in combination with other medicinal plants that are grown in Mexico or Latin America in order to create a more powerful formula for regulating hormone balance, as reported in Home Remedy Central. It is sold as a tea, tincture, extract, capsule or tablet. In making tea, The Healthier Life reports that ¼ tsp. of the dried leaves can be steeped in a cup of water for 15 minutes.
Be sure to consult with your health-care provider before embarking on a protocol using damiana, as there can be counterindications. When taking damiana in tea, tincture, extract, capsule or tablet form, make sure you follow instructions on the label.
