Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT

← All supplements
Limited evidenceWomen's health

Damiana

A Mexican shrub sold for female libido on the strength of tradition alone — no controlled trial has ever tested damiana for sexual function. Its one real human trial is as a third of a weight-loss blend, and damiana products are a documented target for PDE5 inhibitor spiking.

What the science says

  • Increases sexual desire in women Limited evidence

    Turnera diffusa carries the botanical epithet 'aphrodisiaca' and centuries of folk use, and rodent studies show increased copulatory behavior in sexually sluggish male rats plus aromatase-inhibiting and estrogen-receptor-binding activity from flavonoids like pinocembrin and apigenin. Reviews of the last decade of Turnera research find no randomized controlled trial of damiana alone for libido in either sex. Trials of multi-ingredient women's libido products that happen to contain damiana cannot attribute anything to it.

  • Aids weight loss (in the YGD combination) Limited evidence

    The one real damiana trial is a 1990s study of YGD, a capsule combining yerba maté, guarana, and damiana. Gastric emptying was prolonged to 58 minutes versus 38 minutes on placebo (p = 0.025) in 7 volunteers, and 47 overweight patients taking 3 capsules before each meal for 45 days lost 5.1 kg versus 0.3 kg on placebo. The effect is most plausibly driven by the caffeine in guarana and maté plus the delayed gastric emptying, and there is no way to isolate damiana's contribution.

  • Damiana products are an adulteration target Moderate evidence

    Analytical chemistry groups have developed dedicated strategies specifically for detecting PDE5 inhibitors in damiana products, which tells you how routinely sildenafil and tadalafil analogues turn up in this category. An unlabeled PDE5 inhibitor is a hypotensive emergency waiting to happen in anyone taking nitrates or alpha-blockers.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseNo dose is validated for sexual function. Traditional preparation is an infusion of 2-4 g of dried leaf, up to three times daily; capsules typically supply 400-800 mg of leaf powder. The weight-loss trial used a fixed combination product at 3 capsules before each of three meals, not a standalone damiana dose.
SafetyDamiana leaf at culinary and tea doses has a long history of use without serious documented toxicity, but the safety record is traditional rather than trial-based. High doses have been associated with case reports of convulsions and with a euphoriant/hallucinogenic reputation that drives recreational overuse — there is no reason to exceed traditional tea amounts. Flavonoids in the plant bind estrogen receptors and inhibit aromatase in vitro, so caution is warranted in hormone-sensitive conditions. Damiana can lower blood glucose in animal models, a theoretical additive risk with diabetes medication. The largest practical risk is not the plant: buy only third-party-tested products given the documented rate of undeclared PDE5 inhibitors in this category. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Scientific references

Where to buy

Nutricost, Damiana Leaf, 120 Capsules (150 mg per Capsule)

View on iHerb

Referral link — this site may earn a commission on purchases.

Related in Women's health