Damiana, an aphrodisiac of the season.
As we settle into the depths of Autumn and the Scorpio season, concepts of transformation, death, birth, rebirth are all themes prevalent during this period.
And due to these rulerships, quite naturally the excretory system and the sex system are governed by Scorpio and its planet Pluto.
”Scorpio is the magician, the transformer, the maker of higher things out of the lower and of lower things out of the higher. The processes of regeneration and degeneration are governed by the Scorpion and its planetary partner, Pluto.”
Being associated with Pluto and coinciding with sexual Scorpio, Damiana is thus a suitable herb to shed a spotlight on during this time.
Name: DAMIANA
Latin name: Tunera Diffusa
Native to Central America, South America, the southwestern US, Mexico, and the Caribbean
The use of this herb as an aphrodisiac dates back to the indigenous Guaycura of Mexico, the Aztecs, and the Mayans and then well into the 1870s, where it started spreading commercially. From 1888 until 1916 in was in the American National Formulary, “an official publication, issued first by the American Pharmaceutical Association and now yearly by the United States Pharmacopeial Convention, that gives the composition, description, method of preparation, and dosage for drugs.”
The aphrodisiac properties of Damiana can be attributed to how it causes increased blood flow into the sex organs, and thus increases circulation as well as sensitivity to both male and female genitals. (Perhaps a safer, natural alternative to Viagra.)
The essential oils in the herb are said to release nitric oxide, a vasodilator.
Such properties can ward off impotence and encourage orgasm.
It is also said to be an aromatase inhibitor, which prevents testosterone from converting to estrogen. However, it may also contain phytoestrogens.
Damiana’s active compounds may assist with balancing sex hormones, which further can improve vaginal wetness, libido, fertility, and menstrual irregularities.
In addition to assisting with the physical aspects that lead into sex, Damiana can assist with the emotional aspects as it contains thymol, which has antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties. It has comparative relaxation effects to Marijuana.
Besides being known as an aphrodisiac, it has been used as an overall general tonic and adaptogen for wellbeing and energy.
It has diuretic and antiseptic properties, thus being used to treat urinary infections and also encourages digestive health and the cleansing of the digestive tract.
You may take Damiana as a tea, tincture, or capsule.
Enjoy some Damiana to arouse sexual energy or to relax and regain equilibrium of the body, mind, and spirit after all the stimulation.
Precautions:
Damiana may lower blood sugar levels
Please do not take if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
May be a mild laxative
Kindly note we encourage every one to get to know and become in tune with their own bodies.
We are not doctors and these are not medical statements.
We encourage every individual, since we all have different needs and physicalities, to please do their own research before integrating these remedies into your own life.
Stay tuned for our next post with Damiana product recommendations…
