Damiana
Damiana is the little desert shrub the Maya are said to have reached for when they wanted to feel a little more in the mood. It's best known as one of herbalism's classic aphrodisiacs, traditionally used to awaken desire, warm the pelvis and support a relaxed, uplifted mood. Herbalists also value it as a gentle nervine for tension and low spirits, and it's said to bring on vivid, dreamy sleep. Fragrant, flirty and a little bit mischievous.
Find it in:
- Botanical nameTurnera diffusa
- Plant familyPassifloraceae (passionflower family)
- Also calledMexican damiana, hierba de la pastora
- Part usedDried leaf
- TasteAromatic, slightly bitter and herbal, with a hint of fig
- CaffeineNone
Traditional Uses & Folklore
A love herb of the Americas
Damiana grows wild in the dry hills of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and southern Texas. Indigenous peoples of the region, including the Maya, are said to have used it as an aphrodisiac and to restore balance and energy. It's one of the oldest known love herbs in the Americas.
From folk tonic to liqueur
Damiana became a popular tonic in 19th-century America and Europe, where it was sold for vitality and "nervous exhaustion." In Mexico it's still made into damiana liqueur, sold in a bottle shaped like a goddess, and local legend says it was in the very first margaritas.
Dreams and tension
Traditional healers in Mexico have also used damiana to ease anxiety and lift a heavy mood. Many people describe its effects as relaxing, warm and slightly euphoric, and it's often said to bring vivid, sensual dreams.
The scienceWhat Modern Research Is Exploring
Damiana's research is still early, and most studies so far are in labs and animals. Here's what researchers are looking at:
- Desire. Animal studies have looked at damiana's traditional reputation as an aphrodisiac, with interesting results.
- Mood. Researchers have explored the plant's flavonoids and their possible calming, mood-lifting activity.
- Antioxidants. Damiana contains flavonoids and essential oils that are studied for antioxidant activity.
We share this to show where the conversation is going, not to make promises. Herbalism is slow medicine, built on ritual, consistency, and how a plant feels in your own body.
From Tea LadyWhy Damiana Is in Our Blends
Damiana is our flirt. In Ovulation Phase Tea, it's a legendary aphrodisiac herb prized for countless centuries, known for its mood-boosting properties and thought to bring on a gentle, sensual dream state. It's the herb for your most magnetic, turned-on week of the month.
Sip mindfullySafety & Who Should Check First
Damiana is generally considered gentle in tea-sized amounts. A few things to keep in mind:
- Blood sugar. Damiana may influence blood sugar. Check with your healthcare provider if you take medication for diabetes.
- Pregnancy. Damiana is traditionally avoided during pregnancy. Check with your healthcare provider if you're pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding.
- Sedatives. Damiana may add to the effect of sedatives or sleep medications.
- Surgery. Pause herbal teas about two weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Sources & Further Reading
- Szewczyk K, Zidorn C. "Ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and bioactivity of the genus Turnera (Passifloraceae) with a focus on damiana — Turnera diffusa." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2014; 152(3): 424–443.
- Estrada-Reyes R, Ortiz-López P, Gutiérrez-Ortíz J, Martínez-Mota L. "Turnera diffusa Wild (Turneraceae) recovers sexual behavior in sexually exhausted males." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2009; 123(3): 423–429.