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Damiana Leaves
Damiana Leaves refer to the leaves that are harvested from the Turnera diffusa
group of plants. Turnera diffusa plants are small shrubs that are native to
Mexico, Southwest United States of America, and the West Indies. The most common
use of the name Damiana is made in reference to the plant Turnera aprodisiaca
or as it also known as Turnera diffusa. Damiana Leaves have a long history of
being used as an aphrodisiac but can also be used as an herbal treatment to
a variety of medical conditions.
Damiana Leaves generally come from the Turnera aprodisiaca species of plant
which a small shrub. Damiana leaves are smooth and are pale green on its upper
side. Underneath, it is glabrous with a few hairs on its ribs. The shrub contains
yellow flowers that rise singly from axils contained within its leaves.
Damiana Leaves have a long and colorful history of use that spans the centuries.
Both the Aztecs and Mayans used it as a sexual stimulant and this history of
use has continued throughout the years. Previously, individuals smoked Damiana
Leaves through a water-pipe as a prelude to sex. Damiana Leaves have also been
burned in ceremonies as a way to see visions. In the 1930s, livestock breeders
used Damiana Leaves. It is also an ingredient in a popular Mexican liqueur called
Damiana.
Despite its long history as an effective aphrodisiac, Damiana Leaves can also
be used to treat a variety of other medical conditions. It has been used as
a treatment to: respiratory diseases such as asthma; depression; diabetes; bladder
infection; digestive problems; and menstrual disorders. Damiana Leaves consist
of: essential oils such as cineol, cymol, pinene; cyanogenic glycoside; damianin;
thymol; tannin; and small amounts of phosphorous. Although much of the medical
studies performed on the effects of Damiana Leaves have been focused on the
effects of the volatile oils it contains, these studies have yet to confirm
that these volatile oils is the main constituent of Damiana Leaves. Consequently,
the health uses of Damiana Leaves have yet to be confirmed by contemporary medical
research.
Damiana Leaves are available in tea, tincture, and capsule form. The recommended
preparation of Damiana Leaves in a tea form involves the use of 250 ml of boiling
water to 1 gram of dried Damiana tea leaves. After allowing the mixture to steep
for fifteen minutes, the recommended dosage is three cups (750 ml) per day.
If used in a tincture form, the recommended dosage of Damiana Leaves is 2 to
3 ml taken three times per day. If used in a tablet format, the recommended
dosage is 400 to 800 mg taken three times per day. Although Damiana Leaves are
not associated with any significant side effects, it is recommended that women
who are pregnant should avoid its use. This is due to the lack of medical information
detailing the effects of Damiana Leaves on the female hormonal system. Additionally,
excessive doses of Damiana Leaves can induce a mild sense of euphoria or create
a minor laxative effect.
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