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DamianaBotanical Name: Turnera aphrodisiaca (WILLD.)Family: N.O. Turneraceae Part Used: Leaves. Habitat: Mexico, South Arnerica, Texas, West Indies.
Description: A small shrub; leaves smooth and pale green on upper side, underneath glabrous, with a few hairs on the ribs, ovolanceolate, shortly petiolate with two small glands at base; flowers yellow, rising singly from axils of the leaves, capsule one-celled splitting into three pieces; smell aromatic, taste characteristic, bitterish, aromatic and resinous. Constituents: A greenish volatile oil, smelling like chamomile, amorhpous bitter principle Damianin, resins and tannin. Medicinal Action and Uses: Mild purgative, diuretic, tonic, acting directly on the reproductive organs, stimulant, hypochondriastic, aphrodisiae. Preparations: Fluid extract, 1/2 to 1 drachm. Solid extract, 5 to 10 grains. Often combined with Nux Vomica, Phosphorus, etc. Other Species:
Aplopappus discoideus was formerly sold as Damiana, but can easily be detected, as the leaves are distinctly lanceolate, with only two or three teeth on either side.
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