- Origin
- South Texas, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean
- Traditions
- Curanderismo
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 928
Turnera diffusa
Herb · Central America and the Caribbean
Damiana
Turnera diffusa
A small, woody shrub with small, strongly scented leaves and yellow flowers. Contains flavonoids such as apigenin and acacetin, terpenes and a small amount of cyanogenic glycosides. Considered mildly calming and uplifting; which substances cause this is not known.
Safety notes
Generally mild, but little researched. May lower blood sugar; be careful with diabetes. Not in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Many plants and seeds sold as damiana are in fact Turnera ulmifolia. Damiana is not on the lists of the Dutch Opium Act. This information describes traditional use and is no encouragement or advice. Use is at your own risk; the makers of this site are not responsible for the consequences. Never alone, never together with alcohol, other drugs or medicines, not in pregnancy, with heart disease or mental illness (also in the family), and do not drive. In an emergency call 112.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Healing traditions of the Americas: May lower blood sugar; not in pregnancy. Use at your own risk; never alone and not with medicines.
Preparation
In Mexico the dried leaves are made into a tea, often with sugar, and steeped in liqueur; Mexican damiana liqueur traditionally comes in a bottle shaped like a woman. The leaves are also smoked.
Use in traditions
In Mexico and Central America damiana has long been considered a love remedy; that is why the plant was also called Turnera aphrodisiaca. It is also used for nervousness, sleeplessness, stomach complaints and cough. In the nineteenth century it was in American patent medicines, such as John Pemberton's French Wine Coca, who left it out when he turned it into Coca-Cola. According to tradition damiana liqueur was in the first margarita.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Healing traditions of the Americas
Attributed effects
As an aphrodisiac, and for nervousness, sleeplessness and stomach complaints.
Preparation and amount
Dried leaves as a tea, often with sugar, or steeped in liqueur; sometimes smoked.
Caution: May lower blood sugar; not in pregnancy. Use at your own risk; never alone and not with medicines.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)Tincture