Turnera, Damiana

Herba da la Pastora, Old Woman’s Broom Photo by Xavierserratm

Turnera diffusa Squibb’s Atlas of the Official Drugs, Mansfield, 1919

T. aphrodisiaca Squibb’s Atlas of the Official Drugs, Mansfield, 1919

Botanical name:

Turnera diffusa, T. aphrodisiaca

Parts used:

Dried herb; leaf and steam

Temperature & Taste:

Warm, dry. Pungent, Bitter

Uses:

1. Strengthens Spleen, Benefits Qi:
-fatigue, debility
-Indigestion from Spleen deficiency
-Nervous Exhaustion and associated Depression
-gives energy on long journeys
-Atony of the Nervous system; Hemiplegia, Paraplegia

2. Warms and Strengthens the Kidneys
-Aphrodisiac; Impotence; Sexual Tonic
-reproductive tonic; Infertility
-Depression related to Yang deficiency, especially with Sexual Debility
-Oliguria, Dysuria
-Diabetes
-Spermatorrhea
-Prostatitis

3. Warms the Uterus, Promotes Menstruation:
-Amenorrhea (in young girls); Dysmenorrhea; Menstrual Irregularity
-Headache associated with Menstruation

Dose:

2–4 grams, three times daily (BHP)
Tincture (1:5 in 45% alcohol): 3–10mls, three times daily (½–2 drams traditionally)
Fluid Extract (1:1 in 60% alcohol): 3–6mls, three times daily
Dried Extract: 2–10 grains

Main Combinations:

1. Qi Deficiency:
i. Damiana with Astragalus
ii. Exhaustion, Damiana with Ginseng, Licorice
2. Yang Deficiency:
i. Damiana, Cinnamon, Licorice
ii. Damiana, Saw Palmetto, Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Ginseng, Licorice
3. Sexual Debility:
i. Damiana with Saw Palmetto, Red Ginseng
ii. Damiana with Schisandra, Ginseng, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong
iii. Damiana, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo
iv. Damiana, Yohimbine, Ginseng, 
v. Damiana and Nux Vomica were combined as an Aphrodisiac
4. Kidney weakness with Edema:
i. Damiana with Juniper
ii. Damiana, Parsley seed, Celery seed
5. Prostatitis:
i. Damiana with Saw Palmetto
ii. Damiana with Thuja, Poke root,
6. Heart Weakness, Damiana with Hawthorn, Cinnamon, Licorice
7. Poor Circulation with weakness, Damiana with Rosemary and Angelica

Major Formulas:

Cautions:

None noted

Main Preparations used:

Tincture, Fluid Extract