Common name: Damiana

Latin name: Turnera aphrodisiaca L.

Other common names: Damiana, damiane, oreganillo, the bourrique, Mexican damiana, Mexican holly.

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.