Damiana Actions

The image above comes from my class lesson.

I decided to change things up a bit. If people do a search for an herb and only get the things I have not talked about previously, they get an incomplete list (even though the complete list in available on the introduction page of the herb) so I will be providing a complete list here from now on. I will still be updating the word document for a full listing (until I find a better alternative).  I will put "(new)" next to the terms that are introduced with the herb so those who have read the previous posts will know the new information.

I started a batch of bread last night but didn't record it.  Turned out that was for the best.  It will take two days to make this bread and it's turning into a fiasco.  I can't find my digital scale and the recipe involves weighing everything in grams. My regular scale doesn't do grams so I converted it all and I don't have bowls big enough for this much bread.  We will be eating it for weeks if I can get it made!

Breakfast is done, sort of.  My son doesn't want his hashbrowns and he's still hungry.  He will have to eat them if he wants food. Love and Light!

On to the actions of damiana!

Antidepressant just means it helps people deal with their depression.

Aphrodisiacs helps stimulate sexual desire.

Diuretics increase urination by helping elimination through the kidneys and bladder.  They help eliminate toxins from the blood and reduce edema and swelling from the waist down (Griffin, 1997, p. 9).

mild Laxatives: There are 3 kinds.  Stimulants promote bile and increase digestion. Basically, your stomach works better so the stuff comes out of you correctly.  Lithotriptics dissolve kidney and/or gallstones.   Lubricants moisten the system and help firm things up for expulsion (without being gross).  (Griffin, 1997, p. 10)

Nervines: These calm and nourish the nervous system, promote mental clarity, and relieve spasms, pain and congestion. There are 2 types: warming helps with chronic issues, insomnia being a good example. Cooling helps with anger, hypertension, and migraines (Griffin, 1997, p. 10).

mild Purgatives: irritants and weaken the digestive system, tone the bowel system with prolonged use (Griffin, 1997, p. 11). Obviously, these are great for those rare occasions when vomiting is a needed action.

mild Stimulant is an "action that quickens and enlivens the physiological activity of the body". These can target particular parts of the body or systems such as the circulatory, reproductive, cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, urinary, musculoskeletal, nervous and skin. Even bitters can be stimulants. (Hoffman, 2003, p. 345, 519-21).

Stomachic is another way of saying it helps stimulate the digestive system.

Thymoleptic (new) is a drug classification meaning it treats depression

Tonics:  are called "nutritive" and clean the blood in a way that helps the body harmonize (Griffin, 1997, p. 11). They help the lymphatic system work better as well.  I think they are considered nutritive because when you have a bunch of crud trolling your system, it's difficult to absorb the nutrients your body requires.  If you clean up your system a bit, the body can better absorb those things it requires.

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).

Have a Great Day!