Damiana1
Turnera diffusa (Damiana) is a plant native to Mexico and Central and South America. Its leaves have traditionally been used as a stimulant, aphrodisiac, tonic, and for menstrual disorders.2 In 1874, Damiana products were first marketed in the U.S., with claims that they acted as a stimulant and aphrodisiac/libido enhancer.3
Morphology of Damiana
The Damiana plant is a small shrub with smooth, pale green leaves on the upper surface; the underside is glabrous, with a few hairs along the leaf veins. The leaves are lanceolate, short-stalked, and have two small glands at the base. The yellow Damiana flowers emerge singly from the leaf axils.2
Damiana Active Compounds
Damiana contains a variety of metabolites, including flavonoids (such as apigenin, naringenin, and glycosides), arbutin, essential oils (1,8-cineole, p-cymene, pinene, thymol), terpenoids, phenolics, and several other compounds.2 Flavonoids account for the highest percentage. Flavonoid derivatives such as pinocembrin, acacetin, and apigenin-7-glucoside have been shown to exhibit “estrogen-like” activity in cellular models.3
Health Benefits of Damiana
There is a review of the use of Damiana for several female reproductive problems in India from 1980-2004 as follows:
- Subjects: 649 women in India with indications of vaginal discharge, irregular menstrual cycles, and menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea)
- Research dosage: Damiana Tincture (6c -30c potencies/dilutions)
- Results: Improvement in symptoms of vaginal discharge and menstrual irregularities (139 cases cured out of 195 cases). Complaints of dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) decreased, and menstrual cycles became more regular.4
Safety
In a toxicological review, Damiana extract at intraperitoneal doses > 5,000 mg/kg body weight in rats did not cause toxicity, meaning Damiana is classified as non-toxic. However, long-term consumption of large doses is not recommended.5
Keywords: Turnera diffusa; Damiana; Menstrual Problems; Aphrodisiac.
Footer References
- Reference
- Image: https://www.gettyimages.com
- Kumar S, Madaan R, Sharma A. Pharmacological evaluation of Bioactive Principle of Turnera aphrodisiaca. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2008;70(6):740-744. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.49095
- Zhao J, Dasmahapatra AK, Khan SI, Khan IA. Anti-aromatase activity of the constituents from damiana (Turnera diffusa). J Ethnopharmacol. 2008; 120(3): 387-393. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.09.016
- Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy CCRH. Damiana – A clinical verification study: (A multicentric study conducted by CCRH). Indian J Res Homoeopathy. 2007; 1: 17-23.
- Edwards SE, da Costa Rocha I, Williamson EM, Heinrich M. Phytopharmacy: An evidence-based guide to herbal medicinal products. John Wiley & Sons; 2015. ISBN 978-1-118-54356-6
- References
- Zhao J, Dasmahapatra AK, Khan SI, Khan IA. Anti-aromatase activity of the constituents from damiana (Tourna diffuse). J Ethnopharmacol. 2008; 120(3): 387-393. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.09.016
