• Basic Info
• Top Questions

What is the most important information I should know about damiana?

Do not take damiana without first talking to your doctor if you

• take a medicine to treat diabetes or to control blood sugar levels such as insulin, glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Glynase, Diabeta), tolbutamide (Orinase), metformin (Glucophage), acarbose (Precose), troglitazone (Rezulin), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others;

• have a history of breast cancer;

• have a psychiatric disorder such as mania or schizophrenia;

• have Alzheimer's disease; or

• have Parkinson's disease.

The use of damiana may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Damiana has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of damiana may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

What is damiana?

The use of damiana in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

Damiana is also known as Turnera diffusa, Mexican damiana, old woman's broom, and herba de la pastora.

Damiana has been used as an aphrodisiac, to treat headaches, and to aid in the control of bed wetting.

Damiana has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of damiana may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Damiana may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.