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Turnera diffusa aphrodisiaca

Common name:	Damiana	Family:	Turneraceae
Author:	(G.H. Ward) Urban.	Botanical references:
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	Southern N. America to Northern S. America.
Habitat:	Dry sandy or rocky places[238].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	2	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	3

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	T. aphrodisiaca[H,R] T. diffusa var. aphrodisiaca[B,H,P]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Damiana [H,P],
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	diffusa = spreading;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Violales. Turnera family

Physical Characteristics

A decidious shrub growing to 1m by 0.6m . It is hardy to zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). We rate it 2/5 for edibility and 3/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Sunny Edge, By Walls, By South Wall, By West Wall.

Edible Uses

Tea.

The leaves are used as a tea substitute and also as a flavouring in liqueurs[254]. They have a strongly aromatic slightly bitter taste[254].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Digestive; Infertility; Tonic.

Damiana was a traditional aphrodisiac of the Maya people in Central America. It continues to be considered valuable as an aphrodisiac and general tonic, and its stimulant tonic action makes it a valuable remedy for those suffering from mild depression[254].
The whole plant is a bitter, pungent, warming herb with a fig-like flavour[238]. Its use improves the digestion, lifts the spirits, calms the nerves, regulates hormonal activity, stimulates the genito-urinary tract and rejuvenates kidney energy[238]. It is used internally to treat nervous exhaustion, anxiety, depression, debility in convalescence, impotence, premature ejaculation, prostate complaints, urinary infections, frigidity, vaginal discharge, painful menstruation, menopausal problems, poor appetite and digestion, and atonic constipation[238]. The plants are harvested when in flower and are dried for later use[238].

We have a more details factsheet on the history and medicinal use of this plant. Email webmaster@pfaf.org for details.

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Requires a dry soil in a warm sunny sheltered position[238].
One report says that this species is hardy to about -5°c[238], though this needs to be treated with some caution considering its native range is entirely tropical[K]. It is possible that, whilst the plant will be cut back to the ground by cold weather, the rootstock is hardier and will re-sprout in the spring[K]. It will certainly be worthwhile trying the plant outdoors and giving the roots a thick protective mulch in the autumn[K].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[238]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and give some protection from winter cold for at least their first winter outdoors.
Division in spring or autumn[238].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse and plant them out in early summer.

Scent

Leaves: Crushed: The leaves are strongly aromatic[254].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for Turnera aphrodisiaca (a possible synonym).

[H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
[R] Rainforest medicinal Data (common names, medicinal uses, images) from the Rain-Tree.

References for Turnera diffusa var. aphrodisiaca (a possible synonym).

[H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

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Bibliography

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.