Damiana, a plant used in traditional Mexican medicine, contains compounds that supposedly boost libido.
However, there’s no scientific evidence to support damiana’s use for any health condition.
That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
Flavonoids are plant chemicals that are thought to affect the function of sex hormones.
Further, higher-quality studies are needed in humans before drawing conclusions about its effectiveness for any condition.
What Are the Side Effects of Damiana?
As with many medications and herbs, side effects are possible with damiana.
It’s unclear if damiana alone would have these effects.
Some isolated components of damiana have decreased blood sugar.
Severe Side Effects
Asevereanaphylactic(allergic) reactionis also a possible serious side effect of any medication.
If you want to try damiana, talk with your healthcare provider first.
And follow their recommendations or the label instructions.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Damiana?
There is little information about damiana toxicity and overdoses in humans.
However, high doses of 200 grams may causeconvulsions.
You may also experience symptoms similar torabiesor strychninepoisoning.
If you think you’re experiencing an overdose or life-threatening symptoms, get medical help immediately.
For this reason, take damiana with caution.
attempt to store your medicines in a cool and dry place.
Discard after one year or as indicated on the packaging.
Avoid pouring unused and expired medicines down the drain or in the toilet.
Visit theFDA’s websiteto know where and how to discard all unused and expired medicines.
As with damiana, there is limited research to support using yohimbe for weight loss or libido.
But unlike damiana, there is more information about yohimbe’s potential side effects and drug interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Damiana is available in several dosage formswith liquids being the most common.
There are damiana products that are made by manufacturers in the United States.
Your provider can also ensure that youre giving damiana a fair trial at appropriate doses.
Sources of Damiana & What to Look For
There are several different sources of damiana.
Food Sources of Damiana
Damiana is naturally available as a wild shrub.
In the United States, it’s approved to be used as a flavoring agent in food.
Damiana Supplements
Damiana is sold in several forms, including pillslike capsules and tablets.
Damiana may also be in herbal combination products to suppress appetite or increase libido.
(Be aware thatsupplements advertised for sexual enhancement may have a high risk of contamination.)
Summary
Turneraspecies have been used in traditional medicines for many conditions.
Damiana (Turnera diffusa)is a wild shrub with a long history as a medicinal plant.
For example, people might use it to lose weight or improve libido (sex drive).
There’s limited research to support its use for these purposes, however.
Damiana is always combined with other herbs in human studies, making damiana’s effects on its own unclear.
Taking large doses of damiana may be harmful.
Children, people with diabetes, or people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid taking it.
Before taking damiana, talk with your pharmacist or healthcare provider to help you safely achieve your health goals.
Gray (Asteraceae), false damiana, in a model of male sexual behavior.BioMed Research International.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary Supplement Label Database.
2017;22(4):599. doi:10.3390%2Fmolecules22040599
Louisiana Legislature.RS 40:989.2.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Yohimbe.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.A guide to herbal remedies.
Food and Drug Administration.
Substances Added to Food.Damiana.
