| Damiana Benefits and Side Effects |
Damiana [Turnera diffusa]
Damiana grows in hot and humid climates such as Central
America and Southern Africa.
Damiana is a medicinal plant with many traditional uses and a
reputation as an aphrodisiac. Traditionally, it is believed to benefit
sexual disorders, allergies and infections. Essential oils produced
by this plant are used in traditional medicine, and for the
preparation of liquors and tea. The most abundant constituents
of the oils were caryophyllene oxide, caryophyllene,
delta-cadinene, elemene and 1,8-cineol. [2]
Researchers at Aeron Biotechnology tested 150 herbs for their
relative capacity to compete with estradiol and progesterone
binding to intracellular receptors for progesterone (PR) and
estradiol (ER) in intact human breast cancer cells. They found
that soy, licorice, red clover, thyme, tumeric, hops, and verbena
are the highest ER-binding herbs while oregano, verbena,
tumeric, thyme, red clover and damiana are the highest
PR-binding herbs and spices. In general, ER-binding herbal
extracts were agonists, much like estradiol, whereas PR-binding
extracts, were neutral or antagonists. [3]
Researchers from University of Hawaii conducted a double-blind,
placebo-controlled study to determine the role of dietary
supplementation on sexual function in women of differing
menopausal status. In this study, the researchers supplied a
herbal complex containing L-arginine, ginseng, ginkgo, damiana,
multivitamins, and minerals to 55 women with a low sexual
desire. After four weeks of treatment, premenopausal women
primarily reported significant improvement in level of sexual
desire (72%) and satisfaction with overall sex life (68%). While,
among perimenopausal women, primary improvements were
reported for frequency of intercourse (86%), satisfaction with
sexual relationship (79%), and vaginal dryness (64%) compared
with placebo group. POST women primarily showed an increased
in level of sexual desire(51%). Thus, researchers suggest its
potential benefits in sexual concerns. [1]
In another study of 77 women over the age of 21 years, 34
received a herbal preparation containing extracts of ginseng,
ginkgo, and damiana, L-arginine, multivitamins, and
minerals.After 4 weeks, 73.5% of the herb-treated group
improved in satisfaction with their overall sex life, compared with
37.2% of the placebo group. The researchers reported notable
improvements in sexual desire, reduction of vaginal dryness,
frequency of sexual intercourse and orgasm, and clitoral
sensation. They reported no significant side effects in the study.
[5]
Researchers from Medical Center Charlottenlund, Denmark,
noticed a herbal mixture containing Yerbe Mate, Guarana and
Damiana prolonged gastric emptying time and reduced body
weight in a study of 44 healthy overweight subjects. [4]
Side Effects of Damiana
Based on its action, it affects the female hormonal system, may
cause stomach upset and weight loss. Its side effects may also
include stool loosening.
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS,
PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ZHION 2006.
Reference
[1] Ito TY, et al, The Enhancement of Female Sexual Function with ArginMax, a
Nutritional Supplement, Among Women Differing in Menopausal Status. J Sex
Marital Ther. 2006 Oct-Dec;32(5):369-78. [2]Alcaraz-Melendez L, et al, Analysis of
essential oils from wild and micropropagated plants of damiana (Turnera
diffusa).Fitoterapia. 2004 Dec;75(7-8):696-701. [3] Zava DT, et al, Estrogen and
progestin bioactivity of foods, herbs, and spices.Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1998
Mar;217(3):369-78. [4] Andersen T, et al, Weight loss and delayed gastric
emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients.J
Hum Nutr Diet. 2001 Jun;14(3):243-50. [5] Ito TY, et al, A double-blind
placebo-controlled study of ArginMax, a nutritional supplement for enhancement of
female sexual function.J Sex Marital Ther. 2001 Oct-Dec;27(5):541-9.
Damiana grows in hot and humid climates such as Central
America and Southern Africa.
Damiana is a medicinal plant with many traditional uses and a
reputation as an aphrodisiac. Traditionally, it is believed to benefit
sexual disorders, allergies and infections. Essential oils produced
by this plant are used in traditional medicine, and for the
preparation of liquors and tea. The most abundant constituents
of the oils were caryophyllene oxide, caryophyllene,
delta-cadinene, elemene and 1,8-cineol. [2]
Researchers at Aeron Biotechnology tested 150 herbs for their
relative capacity to compete with estradiol and progesterone
binding to intracellular receptors for progesterone (PR) and
estradiol (ER) in intact human breast cancer cells. They found
that soy, licorice, red clover, thyme, tumeric, hops, and verbena
are the highest ER-binding herbs while oregano, verbena,
tumeric, thyme, red clover and damiana are the highest
PR-binding herbs and spices. In general, ER-binding herbal
extracts were agonists, much like estradiol, whereas PR-binding
extracts, were neutral or antagonists. [3]
Researchers from University of Hawaii conducted a double-blind,
placebo-controlled study to determine the role of dietary
supplementation on sexual function in women of differing
menopausal status. In this study, the researchers supplied a
herbal complex containing L-arginine, ginseng, ginkgo, damiana,
multivitamins, and minerals to 55 women with a low sexual
desire. After four weeks of treatment, premenopausal women
primarily reported significant improvement in level of sexual
desire (72%) and satisfaction with overall sex life (68%). While,
among perimenopausal women, primary improvements were
reported for frequency of intercourse (86%), satisfaction with
sexual relationship (79%), and vaginal dryness (64%) compared
with placebo group. POST women primarily showed an increased
in level of sexual desire(51%). Thus, researchers suggest its
potential benefits in sexual concerns. [1]
In another study of 77 women over the age of 21 years, 34
received a herbal preparation containing extracts of ginseng,
ginkgo, and damiana, L-arginine, multivitamins, and
minerals.After 4 weeks, 73.5% of the herb-treated group
improved in satisfaction with their overall sex life, compared with
37.2% of the placebo group. The researchers reported notable
improvements in sexual desire, reduction of vaginal dryness,
frequency of sexual intercourse and orgasm, and clitoral
sensation. They reported no significant side effects in the study.
[5]
Researchers from Medical Center Charlottenlund, Denmark,
noticed a herbal mixture containing Yerbe Mate, Guarana and
Damiana prolonged gastric emptying time and reduced body
weight in a study of 44 healthy overweight subjects. [4]
Side Effects of Damiana
Based on its action, it affects the female hormonal system, may
cause stomach upset and weight loss. Its side effects may also
include stool loosening.
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS,
PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ZHION 2006.
Reference
[1] Ito TY, et al, The Enhancement of Female Sexual Function with ArginMax, a
Nutritional Supplement, Among Women Differing in Menopausal Status. J Sex
Marital Ther. 2006 Oct-Dec;32(5):369-78. [2]Alcaraz-Melendez L, et al, Analysis of
essential oils from wild and micropropagated plants of damiana (Turnera
diffusa).Fitoterapia. 2004 Dec;75(7-8):696-701. [3] Zava DT, et al, Estrogen and
progestin bioactivity of foods, herbs, and spices.Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1998
Mar;217(3):369-78. [4] Andersen T, et al, Weight loss and delayed gastric
emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients.J
Hum Nutr Diet. 2001 Jun;14(3):243-50. [5] Ito TY, et al, A double-blind
placebo-controlled study of ArginMax, a nutritional supplement for enhancement of
female sexual function.J Sex Marital Ther. 2001 Oct-Dec;27(5):541-9.
