Damiana is a medicinal plant that may offer cleansing actions due to its laxative and diuretic effects. You might take damiana for a variety of health reasons. Before you take damiana for its potential cleansing benefits or other health effects, consult your doctor about the possible dangers and proper dosage.
History
Damiana is made from the Turnera diffusa plant, a shrub that's native to parts of South America. Damiana has been used in traditional medicine as a "tonic" to promote overall health and vigor, as well as an aphrodisiac. In addition to its main use for promoting sexual desire and performance, damiana has been used for hundreds of years to treat dysentery, constipation, headaches, depression and bedwetting.
Function
Damiana contains flavonoids, cyanoglycoside, phenolic glycoside, volatile oils, damianin, beta-sitosterol and hydrocarbons, the main constituents that give the herbal remedy its potential health benefits, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Damiana appears to provide laxative and diuretic actions that are the source of its "cleansing" effects. The herb also has stimulant, aphrosidiac and blood glucose-regulating actions. Additionally, damiana appears to have some antibacterial effects.
Uses
In addition to cleansing, damiana is most commonly used to treat constipation, kidney problems, menstrual disorders, anxiety and diabetes. Like its main historical use in traditional folk medicine, damiana is still sometimes used today to improve sexual performance in men, treat impotence and promote orgasms in women. You might also take damiana to help treat depression, asthma and other respiratory conditions, and gastrointestinal problems, states the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. No widely-accepted medical research supports the use of damiana for treating any health condition, however.
Dosage
The typical dosage of damiana is 2 to 4 g taken two or three times per day. Damiana products may have different recommended dosages on their labels, however. For example, specific dosages are labeled on the herbal formula called ArginMax, which contains damiana as the main ingredient and is marketed for treating female sexual dysfunction. Therefore, ask your doctor about the dosage that's right for you before taking damiana.
Warning
You might experience side effects like mild stomach upset while taking damiana. Damiana may also cause headaches and insomnia or even seizures when taken in excessive amounts. The herb could potentially contain trace amounts of cyanide-like substances that can be toxic in large dosages. Damiana can also interact negatively with certain medications like hypoglycemic drugs used to treat diabetes and diuretics.
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