Damiana leaves – traditional use

Damiana leaves, harvested just before flowering, are carefully dried to preserve their essential oils. Used in herbal teas, macerations, or natural incense, they are renowned for their warm, slightly spicy fragrance and their rebalancing effects on states of nervous or physical fatigue.

Description

Olive green to light brown leaf fragments, dry and brittle texture, sweet and spicy odor reminiscent of tea or sage with sweet notes.

Nomenclature

• Common names: Damiana, Mexican herb, Aphrodisiac turnera
• Latin name: Turnera aphrodisiaca (or Turnera diffusa )
• Family: Turneraceae
• Part used: Leaves
• Shape: Cut
• Origin: Mexico, Central America, Caribbean
• English name: Damiana leaf
• German name: Damiana-Blätter
• Name in Spanish: Damiana leaf
• Name in Italian: Foglia di damiana
• Name in Arabic: أوراق دامِيانا (Awrāq Dāmiānā)

Main virtues

Damiana is traditionally used for its gentle stimulating and relaxing effects. As an infusion, it helps restore inner serenity while boosting vitality. Its external use is sometimes explored in scented massage oil preparations or artisanal herbal incense.

Main constituents

Essential oils (thymol, cineol), flavonoids, tannins, arbutin, resins, alkaloids (traces), bitter principles.

Use and dosage

• Infusion: 1 to 2 teaspoons per cup, infuse for 5 to 10 minutes in simmering water.
• Macerate: can be used in sweet alcohols for artisanal tonic liqueur.
• Incense: dry leaves to burn on charcoal for a soothing fragrance.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• Consume in moderation – tonic effect sometimes noticeable.
• Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women or children.
• May interact with some treatments – seek professional advice.

History and origin

Damiana has been used since pre-Columbian times in Mexico and the Caribbean for its stimulating properties and ritual uses. It still features in many folk traditions today, often associated with increased energy, mental clarity, and physical relaxation.

Miscellaneous information

• Packaging: kraft bag or opaque pot.
• Storage: away from light and humidity.
• Appearance: Cut leaves, pale green to brown, dry texture.
• Smell: Sweet, aromatic, slightly sweet and spicy.

Sources and references

• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• Ethnobotany of Central America
• Mexican herbal medicine books
• Directory of aromatic plants of Mexico and the Caribbean

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