Dosage

Intervention: 5 to 10 drops per day.
Treatment: 10 -15 drops, 3 times per day max.

Aphrodisiac: 30 - 50 drops, 2 times a day max.

Directions for use

Shake before using. Take directly on the tongue or in a half glass of water or tea, 15 to 30 minutes
before meals. For long-term treatment, use 6 days out of 7.

Mode of Action

Phytochemical reports on T. aphrodisiaca indicate that the plant contains tetraphyllin B (cyanoglycoside)⁹, gonzalitosin I (flavonoid)¹⁰, arbutin (phenolic glycoside)¹¹, damianin¹², tricosan-2-one, hexacosanol (hydrocarbons)¹³; a volatile oil containing α-pinene, β-pinene, p-cymene and 1,8-cineole¹¹; and β-sitosterol (phytosterol)¹⁰.

A survey of literature on T. aphrodisiaca revealed only three pharmacological reports on the plant. Aqueous extract of T. aphrodisiaca whole plant has been reported to exhibit significant hypoglycaemic activity in alloxan-diabetic male mice¹⁴. Aguilara et al.¹⁵ have reported that decoction of T. aphrodisiaca leaves possesses significant hypoglycaemic activity in rabbits upon oral administration. Aqueous extract of the plant was reported to exhibit aphrodisiac activity in sexually sluggish male rats at a dose of 1 ml/kg¹⁶.

Recently we have reported that amongst various extracts viz., petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and water of T. aphrodisiaca aerial parts, only methanol extract (25 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited significant anti-anxiety activity on elevated plus maze apparatus¹⁷. An anxiolytic flavonoid, apigenin has been isolated from methanol extract of T. aphrodisiaca aerial parts using bioactivity-guided fractionation¹⁸. Present investigation was undertaken with an objective to develop pharmacological (anti-anxiety, sedative, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antistress and analgesic) profile of apigenin isolated from T. aphrodisiaca.

Helpful Associations

Turnera aphrodisiaca Ward (synonym T. diffusa Willd., family Turneraceae) is commonly known as damiana. The leaves of T. aphrodisiaca have been used traditionally as a stimulant, aphrodisiac, tonic, diuretic, nerve tonic, laxative and in kidney, menstrual and pregnancy disorders^1,2. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia³ lists specific indications for damiana as anxiety neurosis associated with impotency, and includes other indications such as depression, nervous dyspepsia, atonic constipation and coital inadequacy. Damiana has achieved some repute in the treatment of sexual impotence where it is used in conjunction with strychnine, phosphorus or some other stimulants in homoeopathic formulations⁴. The leaf infusion of damiana has been used as a traditional remedy in the diseases related to the gastrointestinal and respiratory system⁵, reproductive organs, and for the treatment of gonorrhoea in Latin American societies. Mother tincture (85% ethanol extract) of damiana is an important homoeopathic medicine for the treatment of sexual debility, and nervous prostration.

History

The origin of the common name damiana is from the Greek daman or damia meaning "to tame or subdue." It is the feminine version of Damian and infers that damiana is the wild one "who tames." It is believed that the indigenous Guaycura in the Baja region of Mexico were the first to use damiana. According to legend, the herb became wore widely distributed when the Guaycura began trading with the Aztecs. Damiana was also highly valued in ancient times by the Mayans, who used the plant in a similar manner to the Aztecs and the Guaycura.

Contra-Indications

Interactions

None to provide