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Damiana Herbarium

Picture
Latin Name: Turnera diffusa (Willd.) (Damiana aphrodisiaca, Turnera aphrodisiaca (G. H. Ward), and Tunera microphylla (Ham.))

            Common names: Old woman’s broom, rosemary, Turnerae differae folium and Turnerae diffusae herba

Family
: Bignoniaceae/Turneraceae

Descriptive Characteristics
(including Part of the Plant used): Chevallier (2016) says this shrub grows to 6 ½ feet. It has smooth pale green leaves and small yellow flowers (p. 144).

            Part of the plant used: Leaf and stem.

Texture
: smooth

Color
: green

Aroma
: strong

Flavor
: bitter

Constituents
: Flavonoids, terpenoids, saccharides, and cyanogenic glycosides (triacontane, beta-sitosterol, hexacosanal, 5-hydroxy-7,3,4-trimethoxyflavone, arbutin, tannins, resins, hydroquinone glycosides and luteolin 8-C-E-propenoic acid) (Petersen, 2018, p. 127). Mills and Bone (2010) say essential oils, resins, and tannins as well as a trace amount of cyanogenic glycoside (tetraphyllin B) (p. 358). Chevallier (2016) says volatile oil (cryophylene, thymol, cadinene), flavonoids, hydroquinones (arbutin), and tannins (p. 144).

Therapeutic Actions
: Antidepressant, thymoleptic, mild purgative, stomachic, and aphrodisiac (Petersen, 2018, p. 125). Mills and Bone (2010) say nervine tonic, tonic and mild laxative (p. 358). Chevallier (2016) says tonic, nerve tonic, aphrodisiac, mild stimulant, mild antidepressant, and mild laxative and diuretic (p. 144).

Indications
: Constipation, bedwetting, boost mental/physical capacity, depression, nervous dyspepsia, sexual disturbances, anxiety neurosis, use as an aphrodisiac seems to be proven in lab tests (Petersen, 2018, p. 126-8). Mills and Bone (2010) say depression, anxiety (especially sexual), sexual inadequacies, nervous dyspepsia, constipation, nervous debility, impotence, fragidity, stomach pains, aphrodisiac, and invigorator (p. 358). Chevallier (2016) says as a tonic, it is restorative for the nervous system, aphrodisiac, depression, nervous exhaustion, anxiety, premature ejaculation, impotence, restores the reproductive organs, painful/delayed menstrual cycle, menstruation-related headaches, diuretic, urinary antiseptic, cystitis, urethritis, and a mild laxative (p. 144).

Formulary
:
     Chevallier (2016, p. 308)
     Anxiety, depression and tension

Dosage
:
     Petersen (2018, p. 126-7)
     Dried herb: 2-4g 3/day
     Tea: 2-4g to 1 boiling cup (150 ml) steep 10 minutes. 3/day
     Liquid extract: 2-4ml
 
     Mills and Bone (2010, p. 358)
     Dry leaf or infusion: 6-12 g/day
     1:1 Liquid Extract: 6-12 ml/day
     1:2 extract/tablet/capsule: 3-6 ml/day
 
     Chevallier (2016, p. 144)
     Tablets: take as a tonic
     Tincture: 30 drops in water, 4/day for nerve tonic and antidepressant
     Infusion: ¾ cup daily as a general tonic as well as for urinary infections

Safety
: When taken in excess, it can cause tetanus-like convulsions and symptoms common in rabies.  This was a dosage of 200g (Petersen, 2018, p. 129). Mills and Bone (2010) say there has been no evidence of harm during pregnancy but studies are lacking in this area as well as lactation (p. 358).

Lab, Notes And Media:
 
Research:
 

 
References
Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for common Ailments. New York, NY:  DK, a Division of Penguin Random House, LLC. p. 48, 51, 144.
Mills, S. & Bone, K. (2010).  The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Elsevier Limited. P. 358-9.
Peterson, D. (2018). Herb 504: Advanced Herbal Materica Medica III. American College of Healthcare Sciences. P. 125-129
Pizzorno, J. E. and Murray, M. T. (2013). Textbook of Natural Medicine. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. P. 1530-1.
The image at the top pf this page is from the lesson from American College of Healthcare Sciences.  The rest of the images are the personal property of the site owner.  All rights reserved.

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  • Crouch Writing Gallery
  • A Day in the Life of a Mom-Herbalist
  • My Spiritual Healing Journey
  • Non-Fiction
  • Fiction
  • Poetry
  • Herbal List
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  • Virtual Herbarium
  • About
  • Contact
  • Book Membership