Traditional and alternative healers from around the world rely on herbs to treat a variety of physical and mental conditions. Damiana, a shrub native to South America and also known as Turnera diffusa or Turnera aphrodisiaca, has been widely used in native medical practices as an aphrodisiac and as a treatment for sexual dysfunction. Damiana may also have anti-anxiety effects, although there is little clinical evidence to support this claim. Consult a doctor before using this herb.
About Damiana
Damiana is a wild plant that grows in the southern United States, Mexico and Latin and South America. Herbalists refer to this herb as a tonic, or a "general body strengthener." In addition to its purported aphrodisiac properties, native people from these areas have long relied upon damiana to treat nervous disorders and muscular tension. Anecdotal evidence suggests that damiana may be useful for alleviating symptoms of anxiety. The oil obtained from the leaves damiana plant contains volatile substances known as terpenes. However, the oil is not been confirmed to be the herb's active ingredient, says the Carolinas Medical Center. Dried damiana leaves are used to make tea; you can also purchase damiana capsules and tablets online and in most herbal stores.
Anxiety Facts
Anxiety is a normal response to stressful and fearful situations. If your anxiety levels do not decrease once the stressful or fearful situation has subsided, you may have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health problems around the world. According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, anxiety disorders affect around 40 million Americans each year. The term anxiety disorder is a general term used to refer to one of the clinical anxiety disorders, which includes panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and specific phobias. All of these disorders share similar symptoms of increased levels of anxiety, stress, worry, tension and irritability. While anxiety can often be alleviated or reduced through psychotherapy and medication, there is growing interest in the benefits of natural and herbal formulations for their anxiety-relieving benefits. Although clinical research is limited, anecdotal evidence suggests that damiana may be helpful for reducing anxiety.
Clinical Evidence
There is very little clinical evidence to support damiana's benefits for anxiety disorders. A study published in the March 2005 issue of the "Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine" journal showed that Turnera aphrodisiaca extracts had a beneficial, anxiolytic effect on laboratory mice subjected to an elevated plus-maze apparatus test, a common test used to examine anxiety-like behavior in laboratory animals. However, there are no additional studies to support the benefits of damiana on anxiety in humans. According to the "British Herbal Pharmacopoeia," damiana is indicated for use in treating anxiety neurosis, however, more clinical research is needed to evaluate its effectiveness in human subjects.
Considerations
Damiana is not a cure for anxiety. It should not be used in place of conventional medical advice. If you think you have an anxiety disorder, do not attempt to self-diagnose your condition. Consult your doctor or a qualified mental healthcare professional to obtain a proper diagnosis and to discuss treatment options. According to the Carolinas Medical Center, damiana may cause stool-loosening or diarrhea. Although it has no known drug interactions, you should inform your doctor if you plan to use damiana.
References
- Carolinas Medical Center: Damiana
- Anxiety Disorders Association of America: Understanding Anxiety
- "Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine"; Anti-anxiety Activity Studies on Homoeopathic Formulations of Turnera aphrodisiaca Ward; S. Kumar and A. Sharma; March 2005
- "British Herbal Pharmacopoeia"; British Herbal Medicine Association; 1996
