Common Names: Damiana, DAMIANE, OREGANILLO, the BOURRIQUE, MEXICAN DAMIANA, MEXICAN HOLLY, DAMIANA DE GUERRERO
Parts Used: Aerial parts, leaves
ORIGINS + USES
DAMIANA IS A LEAFY DESERT SHRUB, INDIGENOUS TO CENTRAL AMERICA, MEXICO, SOUTHERN TEXAS & BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR. IT HAS BEEN GROWN AND TRADED ACROSS MESOAMERICA FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.
IN THE REALM OF PLANT MEDICINE IT IS PRESCRIBED AS A NATURAL ANTI-DEPRESSANT, A HEART OPENER, AND A MOOD REGULATOR.
DAMIANA WAS RECORDED TO BE USED AS AN APHRODISIAC IN THE ANCIENT MAYAN CIVILIZATION, AND NOTED FOR A DELICIOUS “GIDDINESS AND LOSS OF BALANCE,” BY AN EARLY SPANISH MISSIONARY WHEN DISCOVERING THE MEXICAN INDIGENOUS MADE A DRINK FROM THE DAMIANA LEAVES, ADDED SUGAR, AND DRANK IT FOR ITS PURPORTED POWER TO ENHANCE LOVEMAKING.
DAMIANA WAS FIRST RECORDED WITH APHRODISIAC EFFECTS IN SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE OVER 100 YEARS AGO.
FROM THE CHINESE MEDICINAL PERSPECTIVE, DAMIANA IS CONSIDERED AN OVERALL ORGAN TONIC AS WELL AS A BLOOD CLEANSER. CLEAR FLOWING “CHI” & PATHWAYS ALLOW FOR MORE FLUID COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ORGANS OF THE BODY. ALL OF THESE ARE BELIEVED TO IMPART A GENERAL FEELING OF LOVE, WELL BEING, AND OPEN-HEARTED SPIRITEDNESS.
