| Scientific Name |
Turnera diffusa Willd. Ex Schult |
| Common Name |
Damiana, pastorcita, hierba del venado, hierba de la pastora |
| Photo link |
http://www.swsbm.com/Images/T-Z/Turnera_diffusa.jpg |
| Studies on Diabetes |
Early reports suggested hypoglycemic action, but a more recent study in mice did not confirm this (Kay 1996, Alarcon-Agilar 2002). |
| Other Uses |
Folk uses include as an aphrodesiac, CNS stimulant, diabetes, erectile dysfunction and infertility (Kay 1996). |
| Formulations used by Informants |
|
| Phytochemistry |
Cineol, alpha and beta-pinenes, beta-sitosterol; also cyanogenic glycoside and arbutin (which are considered toxic) but damiana is approved for food use (Kay 1996). |
| Potential Adverse Effects |
Hallucinations, urethral irritation (may account for "aphrodisiac effect), hepatotoxicity in large doses (Feltrow 1999) |
| Potential Medication Interactions |
No significant medication interactions noted |
| References |
Alarcon-Aguilar FJ, Roman-Ramos R, et. al. Investigation on the hypoglycaemic effects of four Mexican medicinal plants in normal and alloxan-diabetic mice. Phytother Res 01-Jun-2002; 16(4): 383-6. |
