Damiana is an herb popular in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. A liqueur of the same name contains an extract of the herb. Damiana can be found in many health food stores in the US and Europe; sometimes it is listed under its botanical name (Turnera diffusa or T. aphrodisiaca).

While there are abundant testimonials to Damiana's ability to improve the sexual experience, there is little scientific research that has addressed this issue. Some 'experts' have gone so far as to call damiana a hoax, as damiana tonics that were popular in the 1800's contained alcohol and/or coca, which can obviously affect mood. But a careful read of all the literature shows that damiana itself contains compounds with definite affects on the neurotransmitters that could help some people in the bedroom.

It was shown in 1976 that damiana contains a chemical called 5-hydroxy-7,3',4'-trimethoxy-flavone. This compound has been shown to act on the GABA neuroreceptors and induce relaxation. A 2005 study found that damiana had anti-anxiety effects on lab animals; 25 milligrams of damiana extract had the same effects as 2 mg of valium.

The natural trimethoxy-flavone compounds (which are also found in Passion Flower and skullcap) are different from the pharmaceutical tranquilizers in several important ways: they are less likely to cause sedation or loss of coordination and memory, and they do not appear to cause dependency like the stronger drugs do.

Damiana can (in some circumstances) help dissolve inhibitions and allow people to relax. This can be conducive to better sex, especially in people that are stressed or have mild anxiety conditions. Herbalists believe that Turnera deserves its reputation as an aphrodisiac, especially for women.

External Links

• Damiana Liqueur
• Damiana Vault at Erowid
• Anti-anxiety activity studies of various extracts of Turnera aphrodisiaca Ward.
• Isolation of 5-hydroxy-7,3',4'-trimethoxy-flavone from Turnera diffusa.