Witnessed by: Western
Damiana (Turnera diffusa), of the Passifloraceae (formerly Turneraceae) family. Small aromatic shrub with pale-green serrate leaves; native range: arid scrub of Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Globally recognized as Mexican damiana; old woman's broom in English. The part used is leaf and flowering top. Warm, aromatic and faintly fig-like scent, with a bittersweet, mildly resinous taste.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
DAMIANA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- damiana
- Scientific name
- Turnera diffusa Willd. ex Schult.
- Family
- Passifloraceae (formerly Turneraceae)
Form
- Part used
- leaf and flowering top
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- aromatic · bitter · pungent
Temperature
- Western
- warm, drying
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- nervous system · uterus · kidneys
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- nervine tonic, antidepressant thymoleptic, reputed aphrodisiac, mild urinary antiseptic, gentle laxative
Cautions
Contraindications: avoid in pregnancy; caution in diabetes owing to a mild hypoglycaemic action
Toxicity: low; very large doses may irritate the urinary tract and have been linked to convulsant effects
Interactions
- Western
- antidiabetic agents: mild additive blood-glucose lowering
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