By Kelsey Barrett, Clinical Herbalist

The pandemic ushered in a new era of embracing mental wellness, with 39% of adults now more willing to seek mental health support than before. One in five people sought therapy to address pandemic-related anxiety or stress, and more than 30% of adults currently report symptoms of anxiety or depression, up 29% from pre-pandemic levels. Many people had little choice but to confront their emotional state and well-being, often for the first time. 

Collectively, we are witnessing a shift towards recognizing the importance of psychological well-being alongside physical wellness in our perception of health.

For thousands of years, humans have relied on plants to support all elements of our vitality. Around the globe, botanical medicine continues to offer 80% of the world's population primary or integrative healthcare, and up to 40% of pharmaceutical drugs are still derived from plant phytochemicals.

Damiana: Plant Medicine for Modern Times

While herbal trends in mainstream culture come and go, one plant, in particular, Turnera diffusa, or damiana, is a medicine distinctly suited for this moment in time.

Damiana’s influence on the nervous system and mood is unique and kaleidoscopic. As a central nervous system relaxant, damiana helps regulate feelings of anxiety and physical stress. It contains the phytochemical apigenin, which studies have shown to both relax smooth muscle and reduce pain. While a common misconception of relaxant herbs is that they make you feel tired, calming the nervous system can give people energy by allowing physical tension to melt from the body.

Damiana can also amplify mood by increasing dopamine, the “feel good” neurotransmitter so often depleted by exposure to processed foods, excessive stimulation, and stress in our modern world.

Benefits of Damiana

• Nervine: Damiana is relaxing and restorative to the central nervous system, which can be reparative after long periods of stress.
• Analgesic: Turnera species contain the flavonoid apigenin, identified as an analgesic in animal studies. Analgesic herbs lower pain. The study noted that damiana can achieve this without noticeable effects on cognitive function.
• Antispasmodic: Apigenin at higher doses can trigger muscle relaxation and sedation.
• Antidepressant: As an MAO-B inhibitor, damiana may increase dopamine! Monoamine oxidase type B is an enzyme that consumes dopamine not being used by your brain. MAO-B inhibitors stop this enzyme's function so that more dopamine remains available to support a positive mood.
• Hormone Balancing: Damiana promotes hormonal health by working as an aromatase inhibitor, slowing the enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen. When in balance, testosterone improves your energy levels, enhances general mood, and improves mental concentration. This can support both men (AMAB, assigned male at birth) and women (AFAB, assigned female at birth).

*Damiana is an emmenagogue, meaning it moves blood in the pelvic floor, and should not be consumed by pregnant or nursing people. Damiana also lowers blood sugar in larger quantities and should be used with caution in conjunction with blood sugar-lowering medication.

History of Damiana

Native to tropical America, from Mexico to South America and the Caribbean, damiana has been traditionally used by the Maya to uplift the spirit and soothe the body and mind. Historically consumed by all members of the family, including children*, damiana was revered as the "Green Goddess", a symbol of calm and tranquility. 

Its nourishing and soothing effect on the nervous system and positive impact on mood can create a feeling of euphoria or even “giddiness,” as noted in observations by early Spanish missionaries. It was also documented that the Mayans burned the leaves to alleviate anxiety and depression.

Damiana is also traditionally consumed as a liqueur in Mexico, and is credited with being the main ingredient in the “original margarita”. Believed to be an aphrodisiac, damiana is sometimes referred to as Turnera aphrodisiaca.

From The Herbalist Author