Damiana
Turnera diffusa
Herbs & Roots. Dr. Sebi's list and Latin American & Amazon.
Also called Damiana leaf, Turnera, Mexican damiana
Spanish: Damiana
Hormone effects not clearA shrub from Mexico and Central America whose leaves are brewed as a tea. It is known as an aphrodisiac, but human proof is thin.
Did you know? Damiana liqueur is still made in Baja California, Mexico, where the shrub grows in dry desert scrub.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Sexual health. Small human studies of damiana-containing products show mixed results. Damiana alone has not been tested well.Traditional proof
- Weight. Small studies of damiana blends suggest weight loss. The results are not confirmed.Traditional proof
- Stress & anxiety. Mouse studies show less anxiety. No human data exist.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Hormones & reproduction, Energy & metabolism, Brain & mind, Nerves & pain
Traditional use
Traditional uses in Mexico and Central America include energy, sex drive, constipation and diabetes. None of these uses has strong human testing.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Aphrodisiac, Laxative. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Leaves are brewed as tea or taken in products. Trial products vary, and no dose for damiana alone is established.
Tea and tincture.
Where to get it
A shrub of dry areas in Mexico, Central America and South America. Sold as dried leaf, tea, extract and liqueur. Products often mix damiana with other herbs.
Be careful
Human safety data are limited. Animal studies suggest it may lower blood sugar. Lab studies show estrogen-like effects, and the effects in people are unclear. Avoid it in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; hormone-sensitive cancer; diabetes medicines.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Both are Latin American herbs sold for sex drive. Neither has strong human proof.
- Works well together
Both are South American libido herbs often sold in blends.
- Use cautionDiabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)
Animal studies suggest it may lower blood sugar, which could add to diabetes medicine effects.
Adds up with others that may lower blood sugar: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 39 more.
The honest take
Damiana's sex-drive and weight claims rest on small studies of mixed products and on animal work. The broader claims have no solid human proof, so they remain unproven.