Damiana: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications

Updated on 19 March 2025

Damiana is a wild shrub native to the arid and semi-arid regions of South America, Mexico, the United States, and the Caribbean. Damiana leaves are used to flavor foods and beverages. The parts used therapeutically are the leaf and stem. The Mayans traditionally used Damiana to prevent dizziness, falls, and unsteadiness, as well as an aphrodisiac. It was also used during childbirth, to treat colic, and stimulate menstruation. From 1888 to 1947, Damiana leaf and Damiana elixirs were listed in the national Pharmacopeia in the United States. The key chemical components of Damiana include alkaloids, flavonoids, arbutin, essential oils containing caryophyllene, delta-cadinene, beta-elemene, and 1,8-cineole, along with other minor components. Damiana has long been used by Mexicans as a domestic remedy to strengthen the nerves and as a tonic after long walks. In Latin America, it is considered as an antidepressant and aphrodisiac.

Other name(s)

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Scientific name(s)

Turnera diffusa

Family or group:

Plants

Active ingredients:

Arbutin

Tannins

Eucalyptol

Beta-sitosterol

Indications

Rating methodology

EFSA approval.

Several clinical trials (> 2) randomized controlled with double blind, including a significant number of patients (>100) with consistently positive outcomes for the indication.

Several clinical trials (> 2) randomized controlled with double blind, and including a significant number of patients (>100) with positive outcomes for the indication.

One or more randomized studies or multiple cohorts or epidemiological studies with positive outcomes for the indication.

Clinical studies exist but are uncontrolled, with conclusions that may be positive or contradictory.

Lack of clinical studies to date that can demonstrate the indication.

Sexual Disorders
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Damiana has traditionally been used to treat sexual disorders or as an aphrodisiac. Preliminary scientific studies in animals support its use in these conditions, but controlled trials evaluating Damiana as a standalone treatment are lacking. A preliminary clinical study shows that taking a combined product containing Damiana, L-arginine, ginseng, ginkgo, vitamins, and minerals (ArginMax for Women, Daily Wellness Co.) improves sexual satisfaction and desire, increases orgasm frequency, and reduces vaginal dryness compared to a placebo in women.

Posologie

Orally: Leaf

300 mg

Dry extract

Synergies

Ginseng, L-Arginine

A double-blind placebo-controlled study of ArginMax, a nutritional supplement for enhancement of female sexual function
Turnera diffusa Wild (Turneraceae) recovers sexual behavior in sexually exhausted males

Weight Control
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Although there are no controlled studies assessing the effectiveness of Damiana as a standalone treatment for weight loss, a study showed that a combination of herbs containing Damiana, guarana, and yerba mate increased weight loss in overweight adults after 45 days compared to a placebo.

Posologie

Orally

36 mg

Dry extract

Synergies

Yerba mate, Guarana

Acute effects of a herb extract formulation and inulin fiber on appetite, energy intake and food choice
Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients

Properties

Hormonal Metabolism

A study examined the effects of over 150 plants for their ability to bind to estrogen and progesterone receptors in cells and identified Damiana as a plant that binds to progesterone receptors in cells, with a neutral effect and weak estrogen agonist activity. Delta-cadinene, present in Damiana, has been reported to stimulate testosterone production, while 1,8-cineole increases the activity of the enzyme that converts testosterone into a more active form. A laboratory study also showed that Damiana extract had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the aromatase enzyme, which is responsible for the conversion of testosterone into estrogens. The flavonoids pinocembrine and acacetin, isolated from Damiana extract, were found to be the most potent inhibitors of the aromatase enzyme among the tested compounds.

Usages associés

Sexual Disorders

Neurobehavioral and toxicological effects of an aqueous extract of Turnera diffusa Willd (Turneraceae) in mice

Anxiolytic

An animal study revealed that Damiana extract had anxiolytic activity at a dose of 25 mg/kg. Another preclinical study using an apigenin fraction derived from Damiana also demonstrated anxiolytic effects in mice exposed to different animal models of anxiety.

Ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and bioactivity of the genus Turnera (Passifloraceae) with a focus on Damiana--Turnera diffusa

Safety dosage

Adult: 300 mg - 600 mg (powder)

- Dried leaf: 300 mg to 600 mg of extract per day. - Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water over a teaspoon of dried leaves and steep for 10-15 minutes. Drink three cups a day.

Contraindications

Child up to 12 years: prohibited

Pregnant woman: prohibited

Breastfeeding woman: prohibited

Breast cancer: prohibited

Use is not recommended for women with personal or family history of breast cancer.

Conseil scientifique