Damiana for better libido and less anxiety

Damiana is a small shrub with aromatic leaves found on dry, sunny, rocky hillsides in south Texas, Southern California, Mexico, and Central America. Damiana leaves have been used as an aphrodisiac and to boost sexual potency by the native peoples of Mexico, including the Mayan Indians. The two species used in herbal healing, both of which are referred to as damiana, are Turnera aphrodisiaca and Turnera diffusa. Damiana plant has been used traditionally as an aphrodisiac, stimulant, and nerve tonic.

Damiana study
The libido-boosting power of damiana hasn't been tested in humans, although a damiana liquor made from the leaves has long been used as an aphrodisiac in Mexico. In animal studies, extracts of damiana speeded up the mating behavior of "sexually sluggish" or impotent male rats. It had no effect on sexually potent rats. Damiana may have some anti anxiety effect. For more information on another aphrodisiac herb mucuna pruriens.

Damiana liqueur
Damiana Liqueur is a liqueur made in Mexico. This liqueur is made with the damiana herb that grows in Baha California, Mexico. A Margarita made from damiana is popular in the Los Cabos area of Mexico.

Damiana Research Update
Anti-anxiety activity studies of various extracts of Turnera aphrodisiaca Ward.
J Herb Pharmacother. 2005;5(4):13-21. University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014, India.
Damiana has been used traditionally for treatment of anxiety neurosis and as an aphrodisiac. Yet, the plant has never been subjected to systematic biological investigation. In the present investigation, petroleum ether (60-80 degrees C), chloroform, methanol, and water extracts of damiana aerial parts were evaluated for anti-anxiety activity in mice using elevated plus-maze apparatus. Among all the extracts, only methanol exhibited significant anti-anxiety activity at a dose of 25 mg/kg with respect to control as well as standard (diazepam, 2 mg/kg).

Stimulating property of Turnera diffusa (damiana) and Pfaffia paniculata extracts on the sexual-behavior of male rats.
Arletti R.  University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Sexually potent and sexually sluggish/impotent male rats were treated orally with different amounts of damiana and Pfaffia paniculata fluid extracts (0.25, 0.50, 1.0 ml/kg). While having no effect on the copulatory behavior of sexually potent rats, both plant extracts--singly or in combination--improved the copulatory performance of sexually sluggish/impotent rats. The highest dose of either extract (1 ml/kg) (as well as the combination of 0.5 ml/kg of each extract) increased the percentage of rats achieving ejaculation and significantly reduced mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies, post-ejaculatory interval and intercopulatory interval. Neither extract affected locomotor activity. These results seem to support the folk reputation of damiana and Pfaffia paniculata as sexual stimulants.

Damiana Emails
Q. How long does it take for damiana to work as an aphrodisiac
   A. Unlike Yohimbe which works within a few hours, damiana takes several days to work, even then the effects are mild.

Q. I have several sex drive enhancing herbs in mind to purchase, including damiana, muira puama, Horny-Goat-Weed, and catuaba. Can you tell me which one is the least effective?
   A. We have not seen any studies comparing these herbs, but in our experience we would say that damiana is the weakest as a libido enhancer.

Q. Can damiana be taken with fish oils?
   A. We don't see any reason why the two are not compatible. Damiana is quite a gentle herb.

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