Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT · ES · DE · FR

← 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.

View on iHerb Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

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.

How to take it

TimingTiming does not matter.
With food?Either way — traditionally taken as a tea.
Worth knowingThere is no reason to exceed traditional tea amounts; the case reports of convulsions come from people chasing a euphoriant effect.

Interactions

With medications

  • nitrates (for angina)

    Undeclared PDE5 inhibitors are documented in herbal sexual-enhancement products and can cause a dangerous blood-pressure drop. buy only third-party-tested products, and avoid the category if you take nitrates

  • insulin and other glucose-lowering drugs

    Damiana lowers blood glucose in animal models, a plausible additive effect. monitor glucose if you use it regularly

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does damiana increase libido in women?

No controlled trial has ever tested damiana alone for sexual function in either sex (limited evidence). The libido claim rests on centuries of folk use and rodent studies, and multi-ingredient libido products containing damiana cannot attribute any effect to it.

Does damiana help with weight loss?

The only damiana weight-loss trial tested YGD, a blend with yerba mate and guarana: 47 overweight patients lost 5.1 kg versus 0.3 kg on placebo over 45 days (limited evidence). The effect most plausibly comes from the caffeine and delayed gastric emptying, and damiana's contribution cannot be isolated.

Are damiana supplements safe?

Damiana leaf at tea doses has a long traditional history without serious documented toxicity, but high doses have been linked to case reports of convulsions, so there is no reason to exceed traditional tea amounts. The largest practical risk is undeclared PDE5 inhibitors in damiana products (moderate evidence), so buy only third-party-tested products.

How much damiana tea should I take?

Traditional damiana 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. No dose has been validated for sexual function.

Scientific references

Where to buy

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

View on iHerb

Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

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

Related in Women's health