Turnera aphrodisiaca herb and plant sexual
benefits
Supplement information
Turnera aphrodisiaca is a small shrub with an aromatic leaf found on dry, sunny, rocky hillsides in south Texas, Southern California, Mexico, and Central America. The leaf has been used as an aphrodisiac and to boost sexual potency by the native peoples of Mexico, including the Mayan Indians. The two species used in herbal healing, both of which are referred to as damiana, are Turnera aphrodisiaca and Turnera diffusa. Passion Rx is a potent herbal sexual enhancement product that contains Turnera aphrodisiaca extract along with more than a doze effective herbs from all over the world. As of April 2009, we have not seen human studies with this herb regarding its potential sexual enhancing or aphrodisiac benefits.
Buy Turnera aphrodisiaca Leaf supplement,
400 mg
Damiana herb is an aromatic perennial
shrub native to Mexico and the Southwestern United States. The
leaf has been used traditionally by herbalists as a tea. Nature's Way Turnera
aphrodisiaca leaf is gathered from the wild in the deserts of Mexico, the source
recognized as the finest quality.
Supplement Facts
Turnera aphrodisiaca leaf - 400 mg *
Recommendation: Take one to three capsules preferably before
breakfast.
* Turnera aphrodisiaca leaf daily value not established.
Benefit
The libido-boosting power of Turnera aphrodisiaca herb hasn't been tested in humans, although a
liquor made from the leaf has long been used as an aphrodisiac in Mexico. In animal
studies, extracts of the herb had the benefit of speeding the mating behavior of "sexually
sluggish" or impotent male rats. It had no effect on sexually potent rats.
It is possible that this plant has additional benefits in humans that may be
uncovered with further research.
Anxiety
Anti-anxiety activity studies of various extracts of Turnera aphrodisiaca Ward.
J Herb Pharmacother. 2005;5(4):13-21. Kumar S, Sharma A. University
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014,
India.
Damian has been used traditionally for treatment of anxiety neurosis and as an
aphrodisiac. Yet, the plant has never been subjected to systematic biological
investigation. In the present investigation, petroleum ether, chloroform,
methanol, and water extracts of Turnera aphrodisiaca aerial parts were evaluated for
anti-anxiety activity in mice. Among all the extracts, only methanol exhibited
significant anti-anxiety activity.
Composition and mechanism of action
The chemical composition of Turnera aphrodisiaca leaf is complex and all of the components have not
been completely identified. However, the known make-up is 0.5-1% volatile oil, flavonoids, gonzalitosin, arbutin, tannin and damianin (a brown bitter substance). How
the
herb works
as an aphrodisiac is currently not fully known. Many flavonoids are known to
dilate blood vessels.
Another study reports the leaf to contain alkaloids, cyanogenic
glycosides, steroids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrates, and
proteins.
Side effects,
risk, safety
Turnera aphrodisiaca herb appears to be safe when taken occasionally as a sex booster.
Turnera aphrodisiaca has a long
history of traditional medicinal and food use with no harmful consequences reported.
However, no rigorous scientific studies have examined the effects of long-term use of this
herb. For the time being, it would be safe to assume that when used in
reasonable doses, it has not significant side effects.
Availability
Turnera aphrodisiaca is sold as bulk herb powder, capsules,
tea, and
liqueur. The herb is often combined in aphrodisiac herbal products.
The tea is difficult to find, but you could search for it in a health food
store.
Historical uses
Historically, Turnera
aphrodisiaca has been used to relieve anxiety,
nervousness, and mild depression, especially if these symptoms have a sexual component.
The herb is also used as a general tonic to improve wellness. This plant has also been used
traditionally to improve digestion and to treat constipation, as a diuretic, as
a treatment for cough, and in larger doses it is
thought to have a mild laxative effect.
Emails
Q. How long does it take for
Turnera aphrodisiaca herb to work as an aphrodisiac?
A. Unlike yohimbine which works in an hour or two, damiana takes several days to
work, even then the effects are mild. Some people need more than a week to
notice any benefits.
Q. I have several herbs in mind to purchase, including Turnera aphrodisiaca leaf, muira puama,
horny goat weed, and catuaba. Can you tell me which one is the least effective?
A. We have not seen any studies comparing these herbs, but we
would say that damiana is the weakest.
Q. Can Turnera aphrodisiaca herb be taken with fish oils?
A. We don't see any reason why the two are not compatible. it is
quite a gentle herb.
Q. I see Turnera aphrodisiaca extract being promoted for women mostly. Why is
that?
A. We don't know. If it works as an aphrodisiac, it should work in
men and women.
Q. Are you familiar with Turnera aphrodisiaca tea or
seed?
A. We know the tea is sold in health food stores but
we have not tried it. We are not familiar with the benefits or side effects of
the seed.
Can you please tell me whether pregnant and/or
breast feeding mothers can drink Turnera aphrodisiaca tea?
We have not seen research with this herb and
pregnancy or breastfeeding, however reasonable uses of the tea,
such as a few times a week would not be predicted to cause any problems. Your obgyn doc needs to approve.
This page was last updated in 2010.