Damiana

The image above comes from my class lesson.

This is a plant I'm sure most have never heard of but it's quite interesting in the things it's used for.

The children are playing and I need to get breakfast cooked before they realize their tummies are empty.  I got this and echinacea both updated and posted in the Virtual Herbarium listing.  I still have so much to do!  It seems like the more I do, the more there is to do.  Time to get some work done! Love and Light!

On to damiana.

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).

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).

Have a Great Day!