Plant Study
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Damiana
Family Name: Turneraceae
Latin Family Name: N.O. Turneraceae
Latin Name: Turnera, diffusa
Common Names: Daniana, domiane, Mexican damiana, Mexican holly, Damiana de Guerrero, Oreganillo
Body System Affiliations:
- Nervous system
- Digestive system
- Urinary system
Botanical Description:
Habit: Small Evergreen shrub
Size: 1-2 m, 2-6 ft
Arrangement:
Leaves: Coarsely toothed, 10-25 cm or 1 inch long, aromatic, pale green leaves with hairs on the bottom side
Flowers: Small yellow flowers with five petals
Fruit: Sweet smelling fruit tasting similar to figs
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Ecology:
Habitat: Woodland, sunny edge, and roadsides. Soil should be dry and medium to heavy as well as acid, natural and basic alkaline. Will not grow in shade.
Range: Texas, Mexico, Central America, West Indies, and some parts of South
America
Native Where: The Southwest as well as Mexico
Ecological Relationships:
Places/Dates Observed/Description:
Western (European-American) Uses/Relationships:
Medicine:
Part Used: Leaves
Medicinal Actions: Aphrodisiac, Stimulant, Nervine, tonic, antidepressant, urinary antiseptic, laxative, diuretic, and
testosterogenic.
Body System Associations: Nervous System, Digestive System, and
Urinary System
Constituents: There are many compounds that make up this plant. Some
Of them include: Albuminoids, Resins, Tannis, arbutin,
Tetraphylline, volatile oil (including thymol, x-copaene, cadinene, calamine, cineole, alpha and bata pinene) p-cymene, chlorophyll, tannis, trimethoxyflavones, luteolin, andbarterin, potassium chloride, albuminoids, sugar, gum, and ash. Many tests have
Been done to determine the base compound, however research has
Inconclusive.
Applications: Infusions, tincture, and capsules
Preparation: For an infusion, poor boiling water over the leaves and let steep for 20 minutes. For a tincture mix one part leaves with 3 parts alcohol or 1 parts dry leaf to 5 parts alcohol.
Pharmacy: Drink 1 cup of infusion 2-3 times daily, take 2-4 ml or 3-4 g capsules 2 times a day.
Cautions: Reduces blood sugar levels
Indigenous and Non-Western Use/Significance/Relationships:
Medicine:
Indigenous Group: Ancient Mayan
Part Used: Leaves
Medicinal Actions: Aphrodisiac
Indications:
Energetic: Warming, will rejuvenate kidney energy
Preparation: They would make a drink from the leaves and add sugar
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Indigenous and Non-Western Use/Significance/Relationships:
Medicine:
Indigenous Group: Guaranis
Part Used: Seeds
Medicinal Actions: Aphrodisiac, stimulant, astringent, tonic, analgesic, as well
as cardiovascular support
Indications: Chronic diarrhea, hypertension, dysentery, and to prevent arteriosclerosis.
Preparation: They would dry and roast the seeds and mix it with
Water to make a paste.
Applications: The Guaranis would use it as medicine, in teas, or with food.
Propagation:
Technique: From seeds or from cuttings, this plant will grow outdoors in the south and west. It will grow in colder climates if in a greenhouse and the temperature dose not reach lower that 55 degrees ant night. It needs lots of sun and good soil; it should be well watered from spring to fall and much less watered in the winter.
Timing: Sow in the spring and put in permanent home in the early summer, protect for the first winter
Harvest:
Plant Part: Leaves
Season of Harvest: Early to late summer
Method of Harvest: Pinch off leaves
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Personal Experience:
Food: Damiana brownie
Medicine:
Part Used: Leaves
Desired Medicinal Action: Increase sex drive, help with depression and anxiety
Targeted Indication: Nervous system, and
Procurement:
Source: Radiance
Condition: Dried
Cost: about $3.00
Other: None found
Application/Preparation/ Pharmacy:
Applications: I made brownies with the dried damiana leaves
Preparation: I first simmered the dries plant leaves with the oil for about 20 minutes. I followed the recipe to make the brownies and just added the oil to the batter. Baked them and ate them.
Pharmacy:
Reason/Purpose: To see how this method differed from other the other forms.
Experience: I enjoyed the brownies, it gave them a different flavor, however I did not feel the effects as strong as using a tincture or tea.
Cautions Based on Experience: None
Cautions: Avoid if pregnant, prolonged use may cause harm to the liver
Personal Experience:
Medicine:
Personal Experience:
Medicine:
Part Used: Leaves
Desired Medicinal Action: Increase sex drive, help with depression and anxiety
Targeted Indication: Nervous system, and
Procurement:
Source: Radiance
Condition: Dried
Cost: about $3.00
Other: None found
Application/Preparation/ Pharmacy:
Applications: I made a tincture out of the dried plant material and vodka
Preparation: I took 1 part plant material to 5 parts vodka and soaked in glass jar.
Pharmacy: I have not taken any yet, as it is still soaking, when it is done I will take 2-4 ml per day.
Reason/Purpose: To see how this method differed from other the other forms.
Experience: I have taken a tincture that someone else has made and I felt the effects much more in this form rather than the brownie form.
Cautions Based on Experience: None
Cautions: Avoid if pregnant, prolonged use may cause harm to the liver
References:
- Ody, Penelope. The Holistic Herbal. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell Books, 2001.
- Ody, Penelopy and Mark Blumenthal. The Complete Medicinal Herbal. New York, New York: Dorling Kindersley Inc, 1993.
- Author Unknown. Drug Database website. Online at www.drugbase.ni/artical.asp.asp?artikel=3183@admin. Constantly updated. Visited February 14, 2006.
- Hoffmann, David L. Damiana. Health World Website. Online at www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?ID=1873. Constantly updated. Visited February 14, 2006.
- Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. Henrietta’s Herbal Webpage. Online at www.herriettesherbal.com/eclectric/kings/turnera.html. Vistited on February 14, 2006.
- Author Unknown. Black Herbals Rainforest Website. Online at www.blckherbals.com/rainforest%20products.htm. Visited on March 7, 2006.
- Author Unknown. Rain tree Nutrition and the Tropical Plant Database. Online at www.rain-tree.com/damiana.htm. Last update February 22, 2006. Visited on March 6, 2006
Turnera, diffusa
Turnera, diffusa or more commonly known as damiana is a small evergreen shrub that grows between 2 and 6 feet tall. It grows and is native to the southwest of the United States as well as in Mexico. This shrub has beautiful yellow flowers and, sweet smelling fruits, and very fragrant leaves. These leaves are pale green, coarsely toothed, and have hairs on the bottom side. Because of their medicinal value these leaves have been used for many years all over the world, for many different purposes. The leaves are mainly used as an aphrodisiac. The leaves can be made into a tea, tincture, liqueur, or mixed with food. This plant should be avoided during pregnancy and may cause herm to the liver if used for a long period of time.
Nicole Mohabir - Walking the Wheel – Winter - 2006
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