Health Benefits of Damiana

Damiana, scientifically known as Turnera diffusa or Turnera aphrodisiaca, is a medicinal plant made from the leaves of a wild shrub. It grows in arid regions of the United States, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean islands.

Herbalists have used damiana for hundreds of years, and it was a significant medicinal plant in ancient Mayan culture. Damiana is still sometimes included as a flavoring ingredient in Mexican liquors. 

Damiana naturally contains many different chemical substances that scientists have investigated for various therapeutic effects, but its most established use is as an aphrodisiac. 

There is little scientific research on the health effects of damiana, but some studies point to its benefits, and traditional Mexican herbalism recognizes many potential positive qualities.

Improves Sexual Dysfunction

Damiana’s most well-established effect is in treating low libido and sexual dysfunction in both men and women. However, most studies have used damiana paired with other herbs, making it difficult to confirm if the effects are from damiana or another herb in the mix. Researchers suggest damiana might affect libido by causing changes in estrogen or testosterone, but the complete mechanism is still unknown.

For example, a randomized study of over 75 men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction found that an herbal mixture containing damiana helped improve sexual function compared to a placebo.

Similarly, in a study of about 30 postmenopausal women with low sexual desire, an herbal combination containing damiana resulted in increased desire and increased lubrication and orgasms. Some other small studies also support the potential benefit of damiana for sexual dysfunction, and the drug has long been used for this purpose.

However, sexual dysfunction can have many underlying causes—both physical and psychological. One supplement or aphrodisiac may not be able to address all the factors contributing to sexual dysfunction. If you have concerns about your libido or sexual function, it's important to have a discussion with your healthcare provider.

Other Potential Effects

In Mexican herbalism, damiana has traditionally been utilized in many additional ways. For example, the plant has been used as a mood tonic, a diuretic, a treatment for ulcers, and to help fight respiratory infections. However, modern scientific studies in humans mostly aren’t available.

Also, scientists have explored the effects of damiana or specific damiana chemical components in various studies. Evidence has shown damiana may work as an antibacterial, have anti-cancer properties, balance high blood sugar, reduce anxiety, and provide pain relief. However, these studies have mostly not been done in humans.

It is well-established that damiana has high levels of antioxidants. These compounds help protect against disease by preventing oxidative stress. Theoretically, the antioxidant content in damiana might give the plant health-protective properties, but more study is needed.

How To Take Damiana

You can take damiana in various preparations. It's available in pill form as an individual supplement or as part of multi-herb supplements. You can also purchase damiana as a concentrated liquid tincture to add to water or juice, or you can use damiana leaves to make a tea.

Dosage

The ideal dosage of damiana is unknown. When sold as an over-the-counter herbal supplement, many products recommend taking between 750-1,000 milligrams (mg) daily. It’s often best to initially use a smaller amount and then increase the dose if needed. Women, people of lower weight, and older individuals might find an effective dose at relatively lower amounts. 

Is Damiana Safe?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists damiana as a food additive product that is “generally recognized as safe," or GRAS. It obtained this status along with other herbs that had been used widely in beverage products before 1958, when the FDA first began making regulations for food additives. 

While damiana is generally considered a safe product, it hasn’t been studied in pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it's best to avoid it during these times. People with certain medical conditions may also want to avoid damiana out of caution, such as people with bipolar depression, type 1 diabetes, or severe kidney or liver disease.

Potential Drug Interactions

When you take a drug or an herbal supplement, it can sometimes affect the speed at which your body handles and breaks down other medications. These interactions can mean that another drug might not work as effectively. Or conversely, it might lead to a greater risk of side effects from that drug.

Potential drug interactions haven’t been well studied in damiana. However, the herb may slow down the activity of a specific enzyme in your liver (CYP3A4) that helps break down many different drugs. This might lead to higher concentrations of those drugs in your body. An incomplete list of examples of drugs like this include:

• Drugs for anxiety, like Xanax (alprazolam), or for depression, like Wellbutrin (bupropion)
• Some drugs for heart disease, like Cordarone (amiodarone) and Cardizem (diltiazem). Lipitor (atorvastatin), prescribed for high cholesterol, may also interact with damania
• Some chemotherapy drugs, like Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) or Paclitaxel (taxol)

Damania also has the potential to interact with drugs or supplements that lower blood sugar, such as diabetes medications. Some animal research has shown damiana may lower blood sugar, so when used in combination with these drugs, it could increase your risk for hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar).

You may still be able to take these medications safely while using damiana, but it's important to discuss your use with a healthcare professional.  

What To Look For

In places where damiana grows naturally, people often collect the leaves of the plant for personal use. It grows as a small-branched shrub, with small-rounded fruits and beautiful yellow flowers.

When buying a damiana supplement, make sure the product is third-party tested. Unlike medications, supplements are not regulated by the FDA. This means their quality and safety can vary. Third-party testing confirms that the supplement contains the ingredients listed on the label and is free from harmful contaminants. Check for seals from reputable organizations such as NSF International, USP (United States Pharmacopeia), or ConsumerLab.

Can You Take Too Much?

It is possible to take too much damiana. However, it’s unlikely unless you take much more than a dose as recommended on a commercial product (e.g., one cup of damiana tea, a couple drops of damiana tincture, or one capsule of damiana leaf).

Studies in animals have shown that damiana can be lethal at incredibly large doses. For example, this amount might be the equivalent of taking a whole bottle of damiana supplements at once, for several days in a row.

Some people might also find they are taking a larger dose than they need to get the desired effects. Scale back to the minimum effective dose for you to decrease your risk of side effects.  

Side Effects

Potential side effects of damiana have not been well studied scientifically. Herbalists have a long tradition of using damiana, and most people might not notice any side effects if they take it at recommended dosages. 

Aphrodisiac herbs, like damiana, can sometimes have psychiatric and neurological side effects. When present, these tend to be mild at standard dosages, but people with serious medical conditions might be more vulnerable. Some potential side effects in this context might include mania, insomnia, or headaches.

In general, herbal supplements are never completely risk-free. Although side effects are typically mild, like stomach upset, more serious side effects sometimes occur, like liver damage or a severe allergic reaction. It’s best to talk with a healthcare provider about potential risks related to your specific health.

A Quick Review

Damiana is a medicinal herb that has been used for hundreds of years in Mexico and surrounding regions. Its most established use is as an aphrodisiac, and it may help with sexual arousal disorders in both men and women. 

Historically, herbalists have used damiana for many other purposes, like fighting infection or improving mood, but more scientific research is needed. 

Damiana is likely safe for most people to take at reasonable doses. However, it may interact with certain medications, so it’s best to consult a healthcare provider first.