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Damiana
Description:
Damiana grows wild and is cultivated around the Gulf of Mexico, and in some South American countries. Damiana is heavily branched and reaches six and half feet in height. The stems are smooth, straight, and yellow or reddish-brown in color. Small, obovate leaves grow in clusters alternately along the stem; the upper surface of which are olive green with undersurfaces lightly covered with whitish hairs. The leaves have toothed margins, and small flowers grow in the upper leaf axils. The fruits are small capsules, slightly curved, with rough skin. The medicinal part is the leaves.
Properties & Uses:
Aphrodisiac - any substance which arouses the sexual instinct.
Diuretic - Diuretics form a class of drugs which increase the volume of urine produced by the kidneys. It can be used effectively to treat mild cases of edema when kidney function is good and when the underlying abnormality of cardiac function, capillary pressure, or salt retention is being corrected simultaneously. Diuretics are not an appropriate treatment for edema caused by inflammation of the kidneys, and are useless in cardiac edema associated with advanced kidney insufficiency.
Emmenagogue - an agent which stimulate menstrual flow.
Laxative - an agent which acts to loosen the bowels; it is therefore used to treat constipation. Laxatives may act by increasing peristalsis by irritating the intestinal mucosa, lubricating the intestinal walls, softening the bowel contents by increasing the amount of water in the intestines, and increasing the bulk of the bowel content.
Stimulant - an agent that temporarily increases activity or physiological processes. Stimulants may be classified according to the organ upon which they act; for example, an intestinal stimulant is that which stimulates the intestines.
Tonic - an agent which strengthens or tones.
Damiana has stimulating properties and has been used for nervousness, weakness, and exhaustion. It has been recommended for increasing the sperm count in the male, strengthening the ovum in the female, and helping to balance hormones in women.
Damiana is especially beneficial for revitalizing the system, and has been used as a mild tonic laxative for children. It has been said to one of the most popular and safest of plants claimed to restore the natural sexual capacities and functions.
It was first used by the Mayans of Yucatan. They called it "mizib-coc," which means "plant for asthma." It was used for all pulmonary disorders, dizziness, vertigo, and as a general body cleanser.
The active constituents in damiana are: 0.5 - 1.0% volatile oil from which thymol, a-copaene, o-cadinene, and calamene have been isolated; a brown amorphous substance; damianin; resins; and gum.
Toxicity Levels:
Damiana is low in toxicity factors, but because of irritant action on the genitourinary tract, it may aggravate preexisting urinary tract diseases. Caution needs to be taken in such cases. In the West Indies the tea is taken to discharge the placenta after childbirth. Therefore, it may be wise to restrict its use during pregnancy.
Recommended Dietary Allowances:
To make a tea, add 1 cup (250 ml) boiling water to 1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) of dried leaves and allow to steep for ten to fifteen minutes. People can drink three cups (750 ml) per day. To use in tincture form, take 1/2–3/4 teaspoon (2–3 ml) three times daily. Tablets or capsules (400–800 mg three times per day) may also be used. Damiana is commonly used in herbal combinations. However, the authors of the German Commission E monographs do not feel that traditional use of this herb is justified by modern research
Side Effects & Interactions:
The leaves have a minor laxative effect and may cause loosening of the stools at higher amounts. Until more is known about damiana’s effects on the female hormonal system, it should be avoided during pregnancy.6
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with damiana.
References:
1. Bradley PR (ed). British Herbal Compendium, vol 1. Bournemouth, Dorset, UK: British Herbal Medicine Association, 1992, 71–2.
2. Duke JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1985, 492.
3. Bradley PR (ed). British Herbal Compendium, vol 1. Bournemouth, Dorset, UK: British Herbal Medicine Association, 1992, 71–2.
4. Zava DT, Dollbaum CM, Blen M. Estrogen and progestin bioactivity of foods, herbs, and spices. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1998;217:369–78.
5. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 325–6.
6. Mills SY. Out of the Earth: The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine. Middlesex, UK: Viking Arkana, 1991, 516–7.