The herb damiana [http://themodernherbal.com/2010/05/damiana-herb/] has been used as an aphrodisiac for centuries by the Native people of Mexico, but it also has several other benefits. The herb is also used in many home remedies [http://themodernherbal.com] to increase energy, treat asthma, ease depression and reduce menstrual problems. Some people claim when the herb is consumed as a tea, it has a relaxing effect similar to taking low doses of cannabis.
A small perennial shrub, damiana grows natively on dry, rocky hillsides in Mexico, South America and the southern areas of Texas and California in the United States. The plant's aromatic leaves are primarily used for medicinal purposes. The two species of damiana used medicinally include Turnera aphrodisiaca and Turnera diffusa.
Traditionally, herbalists have also used damiana for relieving anxiety, nervous disorders and mild to moderate depression, especially if these problems are related to sexuality. It has also been used as a general tonic to improve overall health and mental well-being. Damiana is also believed to stimulate the intestinal tract and deliver oxygen to the genital area. It is primarily used as a tonic and aphrodisiac for women and men.
Although scientific research has failed to prove the herb's efficacy as an aphrodisiac, many natural and folk healers still recommend damiana for this purpose. Some studies have found that damiana helped induce mating in impotent male rats, but the herb has had no effect on normal, healthy rats. No human trials have ever been performed, but traditional healers swear by damiana for almost any sexual problem in men and women. In the short term, damiana works quickly to stimulate the genital area by enriching with oxygen. Long term use, however, often improves sexual fitness and performance.
Damiana has a complex chemical make-up and all of its active components have not been identified. This is likely why science has yet to prove the herb's effectiveness. The known make-up, however, includes about 0.5 to 1 percent volatile oil, various flavanoids, arbutin, tannin, essential oils, thymol and phosphorus in trace amounts. Still, how damiana works as an aphrodisiac remains unknown.
The herb appears safe when taken as directed. It has a long history of medicinal use with very few reports of side effects. No serious side effects have been reported. In rare cases, large amounts of damiana taken internally may cause insomnia, headache and liver damage. Because no clinical studies have tested the effects of using damiana long-term, you should proceed with caution. Always talk to your doctor before taking any new herb to make sure it is safe for you, especially if you currently take prescription drugs.
A small perennial shrub, damiana grows natively on dry, rocky hillsides in Mexico, South America and the southern areas of Texas and California in the United States. The plant's aromatic leaves are primarily used for medicinal purposes. The two species of damiana used medicinally include Turnera aphrodisiaca and Turnera diffusa.
Traditionally, herbalists have also used damiana for relieving anxiety, nervous disorders and mild to moderate depression, especially if these problems are related to sexuality. It has also been used as a general tonic to improve overall health and mental well-being. Damiana is also believed to stimulate the intestinal tract and deliver oxygen to the genital area. It is primarily used as a tonic and aphrodisiac for women and men.
Although scientific research has failed to prove the herb's efficacy as an aphrodisiac, many natural and folk healers still recommend damiana for this purpose. Some studies have found that damiana helped induce mating in impotent male rats, but the herb has had no effect on normal, healthy rats. No human trials have ever been performed, but traditional healers swear by damiana for almost any sexual problem in men and women. In the short term, damiana works quickly to stimulate the genital area by enriching with oxygen. Long term use, however, often improves sexual fitness and performance.
Damiana has a complex chemical make-up and all of its active components have not been identified. This is likely why science has yet to prove the herb's effectiveness. The known make-up, however, includes about 0.5 to 1 percent volatile oil, various flavanoids, arbutin, tannin, essential oils, thymol and phosphorus in trace amounts. Still, how damiana works as an aphrodisiac remains unknown.
The herb appears safe when taken as directed. It has a long history of medicinal use with very few reports of side effects. No serious side effects have been reported. In rare cases, large amounts of damiana taken internally may cause insomnia, headache and liver damage. Because no clinical studies have tested the effects of using damiana long-term, you should proceed with caution. Always talk to your doctor before taking any new herb to make sure it is safe for you, especially if you currently take prescription drugs.
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