Scientific Name: Damiana
Other Names: Herba de la pastora, Mexican damiana, Mizibcoc, Old woman's broom, Turnera diffusa

Who is this for?

Uses

Damiana has been used in folk medicine for centuries. Most notably, it has a reputation for being an aphrodisiac, a substance that supposedly heightens sexual desire and enhances sexual performance. Results of a few small laboratory studies suggest that damiana may have some slight ability to widen blood vessels--an effect that may relieve male impotence to some extent, but no other scientific studies prove that damiana has any effects on sexual function.

Other recent laboratory studies do support a second traditional use of damiana for treating gastrointestinal (GI) conditions such as dysentery. It has shown some antibacterial activity when tested under laboratory conditions, but much more study is needed to confirm or disprove the results. Historically, damiana has also been used to treat conditions as diverse as bedwetting, constipation, depression, and headaches. No results from controlled human studies support any of these possible uses, however.

In studies of laboratory animals, damiana has shown unpredictable effects on both blood sugar levels and body weight. In one study, a damiana extract appeared to decrease blood sugar in animals with diabetes. Conversely, later studies showed either no effect or an increase in blood sugar. In addition, earlier studies associated weight loss with using damiana; but subsequent research showed little or no weight-loss effect. Both of these potential uses of damiana need further research before they can be recommended for use.

Precautions

In animal studies, damiana may have changed blood sugar levels. Because it may increase or decrease blood sugar unpredictably in humans, individuals who have diabetes should avoid using it.

Very little information is available on how damiana might affect a developing fetus, an infant, or a small child. Therefore, its use is not recommended during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or during early childhood.

What side effects should I watch for?

Major Side Effects

In one reported case, ingesting a single dose of 200,000 mg (200 grams or about 7 ounces) of damiana resulted in seizures.

Less Severe Side Effects

Using damiana has been associated with headaches and insomnia.

What interactions should I watch for?

Taking damiana may interfere with insulin and oral drugs for diabetes, such as:

• acarbose
• Actos
• Avandia
• glimepiride
• glipizide
• glyburide
• Glyset
• metformin
• Prandin

Damiana may affect blood sugar levels in unpredictable ways. Taking it with other herbals that are known to lower blood sugar may either decrease the blood-sugar lowering effects of the other herbal or increase them. Hypoglycemia--blood sugar that is too low--may result. On the other hand, blood sugar levels may become too high, which could produce signs such as excessive hunger or thirst. Herbals that may reduce blood sugar include:

• Eleuthero
• Fenugreek
• Ginger (in high amounts)
• Kudzu
• Panax Ginseng

Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how damiana interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.

Should I take it?

Damiana is a bush that grows wild in Mexico, Central America, parts of South America, and the southwestern United States. It bears yellow flowers and red berries that may be eaten or used in cooking. The leaves and occasionally the yellow or reddish twigs are used in medicine. Damiana leaves are collected during the summer while the plants are in flower. They are dried and used for tea or made into commercial dosage forms such as capsules. Due to its pleasant, minty taste, damiana may be used to flavor beverages or season foods. It is also often included in combination herbal products.

During the 1960s, a rumor spread that smoking dried damiana leaves produces a euphoric state similar to the use of marijuana. Although this rumor has been disproved, damiana smoking is still widely promoted on the internet as a "legal alternative to marijuana". Smoking damiana is also reported to help individuals stop smoking cigarettes, but no evidence proves either theory.

Dosage and Administration

A common way to take damiana is as a tea made by adding 2,000 mg (2 grams) to 4,000 mg (4 grams) of dried leaves or leaf powder to about 8 ounces of boiling water. After it is allowed to stand for a few minutes, the mixture should be strained to remove solid particles. Up to three cups of damiana tea may be consumed daily.

Damiana is also available in capsules and as extracts, which are concentrated liquid preparations made by soaking damiana in a solvent such as alcohol and then straining out the solid particles. It is often combined with other herbals for a supposed additive effect. Recommended doses for these commercial damiana products differ greatly. If damiana or a product containing it is used, the directions on the package that is purchased should be followed.

Summary

Although damiana has not been proven effective for treating any medical condition, it has been used in folk medicine for conditions ranging from impotence to bedwetting. It may have some effects on blood sugar or a slight ability to reduce weight, but more study is needed before damiana can be recommended for any medical use.

Risks

Individuals with diabetes are advised not to take damiana because it may decrease or increase blood sugar levels. Due to a lack of information about potential effects of damiana, it should also be avoided by small children and pregnant or breast-feeding women.

Side Effects

One individual is reported to have suffered a seizure after taking a large dose (200,000 mg) of damiana. Other side effects attributed to the use of damiana include headache and insomnia.

Interactions

Due to its possible blood-sugar altering effects, damiana may interfere with drugs or herbals that decrease blood sugar levels.

Last Revised July 18, 2008

References

Alarcon-Aguilar FJ, Roman-Ramos R, Flores-Saenz JL, Aguirre-Garcia F. Investigation on the hypoglycaemic [sic] effects of extracts of four Mexican medicinal plants in normal and alloxan-diabetic mice. Phytotherapy Research. 2002;16(4):383-386.

Alarcon-Aguilara FJ, Roman-Ramos R, Perez-Gutierrez S, Aguilar-Contreras A, Contreras-Weber CC, Flores-Saenz JL. Study of the anti-hyperglycemic effect of plants used as antidiabetics. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 1998;61(2):101-110.

Anon: Damiana. In: DerMarderosian A, Beutler JA, eds. Facts and Comparisons: The Review of Natural Products. St. Louis, MO, Facts and Comparisons. July 1996.

Arletti R, Benelli A, Cavazzuti E, Scarpetta G, Bertolini. A Stimulating property of Turnera diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata extracts on the sexual-behavior of male rats. Psychopharmacology (Berlin). 1999;143(1):15-19.

Dennehy CE, Tsourounis C, Miller AE. Evaluation of herbal dietary supplements marketed on the internet for recreational use. Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 2005;39(10):1634-1639.

Grieve M. Damiana. In: A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publishers, 1971. Available at: http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/mgmh.html Posted 1995. Accessed October 23, 2003.

Haughton C. Turnera diffusa (Willd.). Revised September 23, 2002. Available at: http://www.purplesage.org.uk/profiles/damiana.htm. Accessed October 23, 2003.

Hernandez T, Canales M, Avila JG, et al. Ethnobotany and antibacterial activity of some plants used in traditional medicine of Zapotitlan de las Salinas, Puebla (Mexico). Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2003;88(2-3):181-188.

Hnatyszyn O, Moscatelli V, Garcia J, et al. Argentinian plant extracts with relaxant effect on the smooth muscle of the corpus cavernosum of guinea pig. Phytomedicine. 2003;10(8):669-674.

Jellin JM, Gregory P, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al, eds. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 3rd Edition. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2000.

Mendes FR, Carlini EA. Brazilian plants as possible adaptogens: an ethnopharmacological survey of books edited in Brazil. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2007;109(3):493-500.

Nascimento MA, Silva AK, Franca LC, Quignard EL, Lopez JA, Almeida MG. Turnera ulmifolia L. (Turneraceae): preliminary study of its antioxidant activity. Bioresource Technology. 2006;97(12):1387-1391.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Online Edition. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2006. Available at: http://www.pharmacistsletter.com/(S(ulqz3s45omt3ag55um4kj345))/home.aspx?li=1&st=1&cs=&s=ND.

Piacente S, Camargo EE, Zampelli A, et al. Flavonoids and arbutin from Turnera diffusa. Zeitschrift Fuer Naturforschung. Section C. Biosciences [C]. 2002;57(11-12):983-985.

Taylor L. Herbal Secrets of the Rainforest, 2nd edition. Roseville, California. Prima Publishing, Inc. 2002.

Tyler VE. Damiana - history of a herbal hoax. Pharmaceutical History. 1983;25(2):55-60.

Last Revised July 18, 2008

Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.

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