The Psychoactive Health Benefits of Damiana Herb
Phytochemicals in Turnera Diffusa Produce a Relaxing High
Oct 2, 2009
Damiana leaves have been revered for their ability to increase sexual pleasure and stamina, but the plant also fights depression, painful menstruation, menopause symptoms, poor appetite and constipation. It has been used alone or in combination with other herbs as a mild hallucinogen.
An Herb of the Southwest
Damiana grows wild in the Southwestern United States, Mexico, and South and Central America. The plant has yellow flowers. Damiana leaves are harvested before flowering at the peak of psychoactive oil content. Revered by various Indians who introduced the herb to Europeans, Damiana became known as a mild stimulant and anti-depressive. Its reputation as an aphrodisiac may have been given a boost by an unscrupulous medicine show salesman in 1874, but there is some research using sexually exhausted male rats who had their performance restored by ingesting Damiana [2].
Use Combined with Other Herbs or Alone
Damiana burns well and is sometimes mixed with passionflower for smoking. The two herbs are in the same family and potentiate each other. Damiana's effects are stronger, however, when taken as an infusion, or concentrated herbal tea. Two to four grams of leaves should be steeped in one cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Three or four cups a day is considered harmless, although persons drinking Damiana tea should not drive until they are familiar with the effects of the herb. Damiana capsules and other Damiana supplement forms can be purchased at health food stores; always follow the label directions, especially when using Damiana extract. Extracts are usually the most potent form of herbal remedies.
Damiana Side Effects
There is no evidence that Damiana is addictive. The herb has a mild laxative effect. At extremely high doses of 200g or more, nausea, vomiting, and even convulsions have been reported. Because Damiana can lower blood sugar, diabetics who take hypogycemic medications should monitor glucose levels carefully when using Damiana [3]. Similar to marijuana, the herb-induced drop in blood sugar produces hunger, but one study indicated Damiana combined with Yerba Mate and Guarana aided weight loss, though only slightly[4].
References:
- "Phytochemical investigation of Turnera diffusa" Zhao J., et.al., Journal of Natural Products, 2009 Feb;70(2):289-92
- Turnera diffusa Wild (Turneraceae) recovers sexual behavior in sexually exhausted males, Estrada-Reyes R., et. al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2009 June 25; 123(3): 423-9
- "Hypoglycemic herbs and their action mechanisms", Hui, H., et.al.,Chinese Medicine, 2009 June12;4:11.
- "Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients" Anderson T, et. al., Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 2001 June; 14 (3): 243-50
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