Damiana

Other Names: Damiana Aphrodisiaca, Damiana Herb, Damiana Leaf, Damiane, Feuille de Damiana, Feuille de Damiane, Herba de la Pastora, Houx Mexicain, Mexican Damiana, Mizibcoc, Old Woman's Broom, Oreganillo, Rosemary, Thé Bourrique, Turnera diffusa, Turnera diffusa var. aphrodisiaca, Turnerae Diffusae Folium, Turnerae diffusae herba, Turnera microphyllia.
Damiana is a wild shrub that grows in Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies. The leaf and stem are used to make medicine. Historically, it was used mostly to increase sexual desire (as an aphrodisiac).

Special Precautions of Damiana

• There have been serious side effects. Convulsions and other symptoms similar to rabies or strychnine poisoning have been reported after taking 200 grams of damiana extract.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Do not use in pregnancy because of the way that it alters your hormones please don't take the risk of using damiana during pregnancy. There is a risk for miscarriage. Likewise, do not use if you are breast feeding, as there is a chemical consituent present that can pass on cyanide poisoning to your infant.
• Diabetes : Damiana might affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia ) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use damiana.
• Damiana essential oil should be avoided for anyone with schizophrenia, bipolar or manic depression. Mild halucinations can become as extreme as feeling manic can all be examples of effects from overuse.
• Surgery: Since damiana seems to affect blood glucose levels, there is a concern that it might interfere with blood glucose control during and after surgery. Stop using damiana at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
• Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with DAMIANA
• Anaemia is also contraindicated as research has shown that iron absorbtion can be affected.

The benefits of Damiana are

Aphrodisiac, diuretic, tonic, insecticide, antiseptic, stimulating to the immune system and circulation.

• Headaches.
• Bedwetting.
• Depression : Damiana essential oil brings about feeling of happiness, almost euphoric, which of course is very conducive to seduction.
• Mood disorders : especially ones where there is a strong nervous element, namely: Hypochondria, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Neurosis, Paranoia.
• Nervous upset stomach.
• Constipation.
• Sexual problems : Impotence, frigidity, reduced libido all are helped by damiana. This burst of energy combined with the way that the damiana works on the emotions is said to even be able to help some women to be able to reach orgasm.
• Boosting mental and physical stamina.
• It also raises testosterone in men so apart from impotence, it has also reported to be of help to premature ejaculation.