Common Name Standardized: damiana Botanical Name Turnera diffusa Willd. ex Schult. var. diffusa Plant Family: Turneraceae Parts Used Dried leaf. Overview Damiana has been used in Mexico and southward to Central and South America since the times of the ancient Aztec, and is still quite popular today.2,3 Although its effect on sexual desire was its primary use across cultures, it was also valued as a nerve relaxant, digestive stimulant, mood enhancer, and simply an enjoyable beverage that was given to children. In more recent times it has been used as an herbal smoke, often combined with other herbs, and a liqueur. Botany Damiana is in the Turneraceae family, yet this family is often included in the same family as Passionflower (P. incarnate) Passifloraceae. Around half of the plants in the Turneraeace family are in the genus Turnera, including T. ulmifolia (Common name ramgoat dashalong, one can only imagine what this is referring to) which is similar in appearance yet was traditionally used differently5 and is now widely cultivated in Africa. Damiana is a small sub-tropical shrub bearing aromatic serrated leaves and small bright yellow flowers. T. diffusa is native to southwest Texas, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America and Brazil. For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.