Damiana Turnera diffusa
Damiana is a medicinal shrub
originating from Central and South America, Mexico, and southern
Texas. It has bright yellow star-shaped flowers, grayed green leaves
13-16mm long, is attached to a woody stem, and is highly aromatic
when crushed. My main interest in this plant was from first learning
about its relaxant properties among it’s ability to reduce anxiety.
Some people have labeled this plant as a “marijuana alternative”
for these reasons, so I was curious to explore it’s differences and
similarities.
History
Mexico- Spanish missionaries first
recorded that the Mexican Indians used Damiana tea infused with sugar
as an aphrodisiac. Damiana is also used in traditional Mexican
Liqueur and is claimed to have been used in the original margarita,
which is still sometimes used as a substitute for triple sec. (If
you’re interested in having an authentic Damiana margarita
experience, I hear it’s popular in the Los Cabos region of Mexico.)
Uses
Damiana has been used to treat headaches, bedwetting,
depression, anxiety, nervous stomach, and constipation. It aids with
sexual problems such as ED and UTI’s, boosts and maintains mental and
physical stamina, and can act as an aphrodisiac.
Benefits
-Claims
have been made that Damiana helps with bladder and urinary issues
such as UTI’s.
-Damiana is also an antioxidant. Researchers
concluded after a 5 week study on rats with kidney disease, it may
prevent damage from oxidative stress in the kidneys.
-It also
relaxes small muscles within the arterial walls of the penis,
allowing greater blood flow and thus stronger erections.
-Pinocembrin, a compound in Damiana, may also play a pivotal role
in combating breast cancer by suppressing aromatase activity
(Aromatase inhibitors halt the production of estrogen, which could
help cancer patients whose lesions contain estrogen receptors).
Effects
I have both smoked and consumed Damiana tea and
can say that I prefer the tea (partly because the combustion of any
plant material as potential health risks). The smoke isn’t all that
harsh or unpleasant, I find that it might taste a bit like incense if
I were to guess what incense tastes like, and I found it to be
slightly relaxing. However the effects were more prominent when
consumed in a tea. My stress and anxiety seemed to evaporate. I was
relaxed and maybe a bit drowsy, which makes this a perfect evening
tea for me. I would also perhaps compare the effects to a bit like
xanax, with the exception of a slight mood lift (xanax made me feel
neither good nor bad, just bleh). It has a much more gentle effect
when compared to cannabis, so for those of you that struggle with the
potential effects of paranoia or anxiety with cannabis, this may be a
better alternative for you, and possibly a safer alternative to
xanax.
Caution
Do not use Damiana during pregnancy, while
breastfeeding, or when diabetes has been diagnosed (particularly with
low blood sugar). Damiana lowers blood sugar and could induce
hypoglycemia. Excess use of Damiana could also increase risk of liver
damage and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Always consult your
health physician before the use of any medicinal
herbs.
https://www.healthline.com/health/damiana-ancient-aphrodisiac
https://www.zamnesia.com/content/367-how-to-use-damiana
