In traditional medicine, damiana leaf is most widely known as an aphrodisiac, used primarily to enhance male performance, but also for women. A chemical in damiana leaf has been shown to have a relaxing effect on the central nervous system. Damiana leaf has been used for a wide variety of conditions, including depression, asthma, menstrual problems, and digestive disorders. It has been used to make tinctures, elixirs, and tea.
Damiana is native to Mexico, areas of Central and South America and the West Indies. The damiana leaf grows on a shrubby plant topping out at about six feet. The leaves are harvested in the wild in the summer when the flowers are in bloom.
Damiana Leaf Uses
Damiana leaf has a number of uses. Damiana leaf is classified as a tonic, an antiseptic and antidepressant. In concentrated tincture form damiana leaf is considered a potent medicinal.
Sexual function: Damiana leaf is found effective in increasing female libido and in remedying male sexual dysfunction.
Broad Range Medicinal: Damiana leaf has been used to relieve painful menstruation and other sorts of hormonal difficulties. As an antiseptic and diuretic, damiana leaf has been employed in treating urinary tract infections. It is also recommended for constipation, diarrhea, and other intestinal disturbances. The belief is that damiana leaf helps to tone up the working of the bowel muscles.
Anti-Depressant: Damiana leaf has been smoked and ingested as tea for relieving mild depression and for calming anxieties. Currently there are studies underway on the effectiveness of damiana leaf as an anti-anxiety medicinal. Watch for those results.
Damiana Leaf Tea
To make tea, brew the damiana leaves as you would any herbal tea. Put a tablespoon of leaves per desired cup into a teapot. Pour boiling water over the damiana leaves and slap on a lid or a cover of some sort. Allow the damiana to steep for ten minutes and then sweeten the damiana tea if desired. The flavor of damiana leaf is compared to chamomile. The scent has been described as quite aromatic and used as incense to promote calmness. Enjoy a flavorful tea and expect to calm down.
Damiana Leaf As A Smoke
Smoking damiana leaf has been a common practice for centuries. Smoking damiana is most associated with its calming effect, even a sense of euphoria. This mode of ingesting damiana leaf may be your preference, but remember that any type of smoke is harsh on the lungs. Also, as with any herbal, you could be allergic to damiana leaf. So be watchful for those symptoms. The symptoms you could develop from smoking damiana leaf include difficulty with breathing, the sensation of your throat closing, swelling in your mouth and/or face, an outbreak of hives. Any one of these symptoms could be signalling an allergy. Honor the symptom and discontinue with damiana leaf in any form.
Damiana Leaf As A Tincture
This is damiana leaf at its concentrated best. This form of damiana is recommended by herbal practitioners for more serious problems. Consult with a reputable herbalist before starting with damiana leaf tincture. You will also want to be confident in the quality of the tincture you are taking. Research the company you are planning to buy from.
Most of the damiana leaf is gathered in the wild. As such, you would assume the damiana to be organic. However, some areas are wilder than others. You do not want damiana leaf gathered on the wild side of an international airport, for instance. Read the sales copy your prospective company puts out. If they do not convince you of the quality, keep looking. Do not hesitate to contact the distributor with questions about locations of the harvest, handling of the leaves, freshness of the crop.
Damiana Leaf In Alcoholic Drinks
Folklore has it that the original Margarita was made with damiana leaf. That may be true or not. What is substantiated is that damiana leaf is used in a Mexican liquor that is used in place of Triple Sec in stirring up a Margarita in Mexico. There is also a damiana Margarita served in the Cabo area of Mexico. The relaxing qualities of damiana leaf are certainly accessed in a variety of ways. You can choose your own.
But, stay away from Louisiana! For some reason, Louisiana has outlawed damiana leaf in any form.
Where to Buy Damiana Leaf in Bulk
We save money by buying damiana leaf in bulk. We know a great vendor that sells certified organic damiana leaf in bulk at very low prices (Click here and scroll down). You can buy it in 4 oz., 8 oz., and 1 lb. sizes. If you purchase more than five pounds, you will get even greater discounts.
You will be amazed by the savings when you buy certified organic damiana leaf in bulk. (Click here and scroll down, note the 60-day return guarantee and purchase options via the Internet, phone, mail, or fax.)
Price Comparison for Damiana Leaf
Many other vendors sell damiana leaf, but at higher prices. For instance, Amazon.com sells a 1 lb. bag of non-organic damiana leaf. (Click here to see this alternative product at Amazon.com.)
The information on this website is for educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
