Here are some mind-blowing benefits of damiana that will definitely interest you. Studies reveal that damiana is an aphrodisiac, laxative, stimulant and diuretic. Aphrodisiac has been of great importance in the human era as a means of treating sexual disabilities. An aphrodisiac is either a herb, food or medicine that arouses sexual feeling and several herbs have historically been used as aphrodisiacs. One of such important herbs is damiana.
Damiana is a natural herb used in folk medicine mainly as an aphrodisiac, laxative, stimulant and diuretic. Damiana is a small herb that produces aromatic, small, colourful flowers. It’s fruits have similar taste to figs and is distinguished by its strong chamomile-like aroma.
Damiana belongs to the family of Turneraceae and the two species used mainly in folk medicine are Turnera diffusa Willd and Turnera aphrodisiaca. Damiana grows mainly in dry and rocky tropical and subtropical parts of America, Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, the Caribbean and the West Indies.
This perennial herb has the tendency to grow up to approximately 6 ft tall and it is characterized by shiny small yellowish flowers and pale greenish leaves. It is commonly used for the preparation of tonics, infusions, liqueurs and cosmetics. In Mexico, damiana is sometimes used as a flavouring for making margaritas.
Chemical composition of Damiana
Damiana Flower Damiana is an excellent source of flavonoids, tannin, volatile oil, cyanogenic glycosides, arbutin, phenolics, thymol, hexacosanol, arbutin, β-carotene, maltol glucoside, fatty acids, β-pinene, monoterpenoids, tetraphyllin B, phosphorus, acacetin, caffeine, triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, flavonoid gonzalitosin, β-sitosterol and essential oils (α-pinene, cineol, cymol).
Benefits of Damiana
Sexual Potency Booster
Damiana leaves can be used for making herbal medicines for boosting sexual potency. The sexual boosting abilities of damiana on the reproductive organs is due to its high sensitivity on the genital organs. To a larger extent, illness, poor nutrition, ageing, environmental and certain other implicit factors can drastically reduce the sensitivity of the genital organs and the nerve endings. However, researchers reveal that damiana is an essential herb for tackling sexual disorders associated with these issues.
It helps to improve the sensitivity of the sexual organs, cures impotency and improves the arousal abilities and sexual abilities of the incapacitated and the aged. Damiana rejuvenates and stimulates the sexual organs due to its aphrodisiac properties. This powerful herb stimulates the genital organs thereby bringing oxygen supply to those areas. It is important to note that increased energy level helps to restore libido and sexual desire. Damiana is an energy tonic that helps women to gain sexual satisfaction and reach orgasm.
Damiana helps to balance the androgen, oestrogen and the testosterone level in the body thus leading to an improved sexual behaviour and activities. It is worthy to note that taking testosterone dietary supplement improves sexual libido and function, androgen is a precursor of oestrogen and an anabolic steroid. Moreover, aromatase helps to convert androgens to oestrogens. Studies reveal that the testosterone level in the body diminishes with age while the aromatase level increases.
Such decreasing nature of the testosterone level in the body is the main contributor to atherogenic disease and hypogonadism in human beings. Atherogenic disease is marked by the formation of fatty deposits in the arteries while hypogonadism is caused as a result of reduced functional activities of the gonads such as the testes and ovaries in males and females respectively. This can lead to diminished sex hormone biosynthesis and erectile dysfunction.
Anxiolytic Properties
Damiana has anxiolytic properties due to its constituent of apigenin. As as result, damiana leaves can be used for making an herbal tea for treating anxiety, nervous disorders, neurosis, stress, depression, obsessive behaviour, physical weakness, hangover, dyspepsia and hypochondria. It equally has a relaxing effect on the body.
Energy Booster
Damiana tonic is a powerful energy booster thus helps to fight extreme fatigue, loss of balance and dizziness.
Treatment of Gastrointestinal Diseases
Damiana can be used for preparing herbal medicines for treating gastrointestinal diseases such as constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion and vomiting. It has mild laxative effects thus can be used for getting rid of waste products from the intestines.
Treatment of Respiratory System Disorder
Damiana can be used for treating respiratory system disorders such as asthma, irritation of the lungs, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Treatment of Gonorrhoea
Damiana can be used for treating gonorrhoea, which is a venereal disease involving inflammatory discharge from the urethra or vagina.
Treatment of Menstrual Problems
Damiana can be used for treating menstrual problems such as menstrual headaches, sore breasts, cramping, bloating, aches, exhaustion and pains. It also helps to balance the hormone level.
DISCLAIMER
This post is for enlightenment purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for professional diagnostic and treatments. Remember to always consult your healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions or for counselling, guidance and treatment about a specific medical condition.
REFERENCES
1] Alcaraz-Meléndez, L., Delgado-Rodríguez, J. and Real-Cosío, S. (2004), Analysis of essential oils from wild and micropropagated plants of damiana (Turnera diffusa), Fitoterapia 75, pp. 696–700.
2] Kumar S. and Sharma A. (2005), Anti-anxiety activity studies of various extracts of Turnera aphrodisiaca Ward, Journal of Herb Pharmacother 5: pp. 13-19.
3] Spencer, K. C. and Siegler D. S. (1981), Tetraphyllin B from Turnera Diffusa, Planta Medica 43: pp. 175-176.
4] Zhaoa, J., Dasmahapatrab, A. K., Khan, S. I. and Khan, I. A. (2008), Anti-aromatase activity of the constituents from damiana (Turnera diffusa), Journal of Ethnopharmacology 120, pp. 387–391.
