The damiana ( Turnera diffusa, var. Aphrodisiaca ) belongs to the Turneraceae family. Known for its antidepressant and natural stimulant tonic properties, it is useful in cases of insomnia, stress and anxiety. Let's find out better.
Property of the damiana
The damiana leaves contain a cyanogen glycoside, resins, an essential oil, tannins and a bitter substance (called damianina and from the structure still not determined). The plant has a general antidepressant and tonic-stimulating action that can be used in cases of physical or intellectual fatigue, fatigue, stress and depression, calms anxiety and helps fight nervousness and insomnia.
Damiana also has an aphrodisiac property, which makes it a valid aid in cases of sexual asthenia and male impotence of psychological origin, especially in the case of performance anxiety and premature ejaculation. The balancing action of the mood tone is accompanied by the stimulation of the spinal nerve centers that control the functionality of the sexual organs. In particular, it seems that damiana acts on the center of the erection located at the level of the pelvic-sacral parasympathetic nervous system in humans; and strengthens the female hormonal system, in the presence of dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhea and menstrual pain.
His phytocomplex is therefore able to restore sexual desire in both sexes. For this reason it is indicated in the treatment of both male and female sexual disorders, in case of sterility, to counteract the decrease in libido and sexual performance, in the treatment of impotence and in the case of frigidity.
The presence of essential oil gives the damiana an expectorant action, useful for treating coughs, bronchitis and asthma.
Finally, it has a slight diuretic and antiseptic activity in the urinary tract, given by arbutin, indicated in case of cystitis, bladder and urogenital tract infections.
Method of use
INTERNAL USE
Only at high doses can it give a mild sensation of pain in the prostatic region, at the indicated doses it has no side effect.
800 mg of dry extract in the form of tablets or capsules, to be taken in 2 stages: preferably in the morning and / or in the early afternoon away from meals. It is advisable to take the product by carrying out treatment cycles lasting about 2 weeks.
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Contraindications of damiana
There are no particular contraindications for the regulated intake of damiana. However, in case of excessive dosage, some side effects may occur such as insomnia and headache and pain in the liver and prostate.
Moreover, damiana, by interacting with drugs for the control of glycemic levels, is contraindicated in diabetic patients.
Description of the plant
Small shrub up to 90 cm high. The leaves are oval, lanceolate, with short petiole and 2 glands at the base, curved and slightly serrated margins; the upper surface is smooth and light green, with a few trichomes the lower one. The flowers are yellow, solitary and axillary. The fruit is a small globose, aromatic and resinous capsule.
The habitat of the damiana
Native to tropical America: Mexico, Texas, Central and South America.
Background
The botanical name Turnera comes from the English scientist William Turner who ranked it first.
Damiana is known as the Mexican tea, already known in the days of the Maya, who used it as a tonic, as a diuretic and laxative.
Mexican women have the habit of drinking an infusion of damiana a couple of hours before going to bed, to seduce and excite their man. In Mexico it is also used to treat asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, dysentery, dyspepsia, migraines, paralysis.
Damiana is included in the national formulary of the United States, as an aphrodisiac and as a remedy for impotence and frigidity. It is also included in the British pharmacopoeia, indicated as a remedy for neurosis, impotence, frigidity, performance anxiety and nervous exhaustion.
