Damiana
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| Damiana | ||||||||||||||
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 Turnera diffusa
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| Turnera diffusa Willd. ex J.A. Schultes |
Damiana (Turnera diffusa, syn. Turnera aphrodisiaca) is a shrub native to Central America, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean. It belongs to the family Turneraceae.
Damiana is a relatively small shrub that produces small, aromatic flowers. It blossoms in early to late summer and is followed by fruits that taste similar to figs. The shrub is said to have an odor somewhat like chamomile, due to an oil present in the plant. The leaves have traditionally been made into a tea which was used by native people of Central and South America for its aphrodisiac effects. Spanish missonaries first recorded that the Mexican Indians drank Damiana tea mixed with sugar for its ability to enhance lovemaking.
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[edit] Uses
[edit] Herbal Medicine
Damiana today is conventionally made into a tea. In herbal medicine, damiana is used to treat conditions ranging from coughs to constipation to depression. The herbal supplement is reputed to help with Fibromyalgia, energy, emphysema, low estrogen, frigidity, hot flashes, impotency, infertility, menopause, Parkinson's disease, PMS, inflammation of prostate, Lou Gehrig's disease, and more dealing with reproductive organs in both males and females.[1]
[edit] Recreational
Damiana is an ingredient in a traditional Mexican liqueur, which is sometimes used in lieu of Triple Sec in margaritas. Mexican folklore claims that it was used in the "original" margarita. The damiana margarita is popular in the Los Cabos region of Mexico.[2][3]
Damiana can also be smoked, whereby the effects have been reported as somewhat similar to Cannabis sativa although milder and more relaxing. In some places in Australia, Damiana is used as an alternative to tobacco when smoked with Marijuana. Damiana supposedly has a synergistic effect with Passionflower which when smoked in a combination has been said to be extremely relaxing and promotes lucid dreaming.[4] Damiana has been included as an ingredient in herbal cigarettes.
Damiana has been used by Agent Provocateur in their Beauty Range products for its aphrodisiacal qualities. It has been combined in their Poudre D'Amour with Purple Orchid, Passionflower and Cocoa.
While scientists have not yet found any conclusive data on Damiana's psychoactive effects, it has recently been shown that a chemical essential to the plant's structure, damianin, has certain effects on the central nervous system. This chemical may therefore account for the reports of psychoactive effects, however the research involved is limited at this point.[citation needed]
[edit] In popular culture
In the CSI: NY episode, "Like Water for Murder" Damiana was featured mixed with chocolate.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ Ritchason, Jack (1994). The Little Herb Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition. Woodland Publishing. ISBN 0913923893. http://www.alibris.com/search/books/qwork/3981944/used/Little%20Herb%20Encyclopedia.
- ^ Damiana Liqueur at Damiana.net
- ^ The unexpected thrill from the Los Angeles Times
- ^ Erowid.org: Damiana Vault
- ^ http://www.csifiles.com/reviews/csi/like_water_for_murder.shtml
[edit] External links
- Damiana vault at Erowid
- Damiana - a woman's aphrodisiac
- Effectiveness Rating and Review of Damiana by Pharmacists
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