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	Search Quick Order Form» Departments Vitamins Minerals Supplements Herbs Home & Grocery Diet & Fitness Body & Bath More Ways to Shop Brands A-Z Natural Remedies Children & Infants Women's Health Men's Health Seniors Free Catalog MotherNature.com's Catalog Is Here! Click Here to Get Your Free Copy Today. Newsletter Sign Up Weekly health news, sale announcements and coupons!		Library Home > Herbal Remedies > Damiana DAMIANA Botanical names Botany Helpful for Traditional use How it works Amount to take Safety check References Visit The Healthy Living Bookshelf: 21 Online Health Books From Rodale View Our Related Product Sections: Damiana Botanical name: Turnera diffusa Parts used and where grown: The leaves of damiana were originally used as medicine by the indigenous cultures of Central America, particularly Mexico. Today the plant is found in hot, humid climates, including Mexico and parts of Texas, the Caribbean, and southern Africa. Damiana has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information): Rating Health Concerns Depression Erectile dysfunction Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit. Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit. An herb is primarily supported by traditional use, or the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit. Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific studies): Damiana has been hailed as an aphrodisiac since ancient times, particularly by the native peoples of Mexico.1 Other folk uses have included asthma, bronchitis, neurosis, and various sexual disorders.2 It has also been promoted as a euphoria-inducing substance. Active constituents: Most research has been done on the volatile oil of damiana, which includes numerous small, fragrant substances called terpenes.3 As yet, it is unclear if the volatile oil is truly the main active constituent of damiana. Damiana extracts have been shown, in a test tube, to weakly bind to progesterone receptors.4 Thus, damiana may be a potentially useful herb for some female health problems. However, no human studies have investigated this possibility and it is not a primary traditional use. How much is usually taken? 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.5 Are there any side effects or 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. Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc.  All rights

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