Damiana: The Natural Aphrodisiac for Women?

How many FDA-approved male sexual enhancement medications are out there? Dozens.  How many FDA-approved female versions? Zero.

One of the reasons may be because of differences in male and female sexual drivers. While male medications directly address men’s physical capabilities, ones that are currently being tested for females are instead targeting women’s brain chemistry.  

Did you know there is a natural, herbal product that also addresses women’s brain chemistry when it comes to sexual enhancement, which also does not pose any of the side affects of any of the proposed prescription medications, once any gets FDA-approval?

That natural herb is damiana.

Damiana leaf is in the Turneraceae family (ie. Turnera Diffusa) and is often included in the same family as Passionflower (P. incarnate) Passifloraceae. The herb is also known as Damiana Aphrodisiaca or Turnera Aphrodisiaca.

Damiana gives the mind a sense of relaxation and letting go. It helps when lack of sex drive is the result of mental exhaustion, when someone’s thoughts are occupied elsewhere and need to switch out to the sensual side of their natures.  According to some traditional wisdom, damiana is the “wild one who tames.”

With careers, motherly duties, household responsibilities, and an effort to maintain friendships and outside interests, many women are mentally and emotionally taxed to the point of occasionally, sometimes or often finding it difficult to relax enough to “get in the mood.” Damiana might be of help.

And as a writer, my ongoing thoughts are often occupied with my writing projects. According to playwright Eugene Ionesco, “A writer never has a vacation.  For a writer, life consists of either writing or thinking about writing.” 

But I am also a yoga instructor. When practicing yoga or teaching yoga classes, I find yoga helps me to switch into a different mode than one in which I wear my writer’s cap. 

In a similar fashion, damiana can help a woman ease out of a mentally taxed mood to one that embraces more of a physical or sensual sense of expression.

One source actually claims the relaxing effects of the damiana plant is similar to the initial relaxation of smoking marijuana, but damiana is legal in most places.

I personally have used damiana for years with no side effects. And as we grow older, I can’t deny that we women may need a little extra “help” at the end of the day before turning special attention to one’s partner. Many men as they age often do as well. There is no doubt of the popularity of Viagra, Cialis and like enhancers among them for men. As far as damiana for women is concerned, I find the tincture version versus capsules to be most effective. I suggest women take one dropperful or more 20 minutes before sex. 

What would the frugal poet do? Take a costly sex-enhancing prescription medication on a daily basis and be subject to various side effects (which the proposed medication marks on each point when it is finally FDA-approved) or turn instead to a natural, herbal aid with a long, historical track record and use only when needed?

Brief historical background of damiana

Damiana was first used in Mexico since the times of the ancient Aztecs and natives along the Baja peninsula. Although its primary use is to encourage sexual desire, it is also an effective nerve relaxant, digestive stimulant, mood enhancer. It can be used by men and women alike for any of these needs, but may not carry the same effectiveness on male sexuality as it does with female.

There is even a damiana-enhanced liqueur that is distilled in Mexico and sold in stores around the world. The glass bottle is shaped like a voluptuous woman with large breasts, large belly, and full hips, modeled after an ancient pre-Columbian goddess. The bottle is often given as a wedding or shower gift to new couples. Many familiar with Neolithic art might see a resemblance of this bottle to the Venus of Willendorf sculpture, discovered in Austria and dating back nearly 30,000 years.

As a side note, there is evidence that the original margarita cocktail incorporated a damiana-based liqueur as well, versus the triple-sec or orange-flavored alcohol used today.

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Damiana: The Natural Aphrodisiac for Women?