DAMIANA
(Turnera diffusa)
The ancient peoples of Central America have adored it since time immemorial. The name by which it is known today comes from the ancient Greek daman or damia, which means “to tame, to restrain”. Damiana is wild and unique, but it also has the power to tame and restrain – as if the whole cosmos is contained in one plant, yin and yang in miniature. And that is not a coincidence, because damiana knows how to open the pathway for the arrival of a new life, among other things.
The ancient Maya and Aztecs used it and their descendants still widely use the leaves and stems of this shrubby plant, not only as an aphrodisiac for which it is most popular, but also for relaxation, better digestion, better mood, or simply to enjoy its taste as we enjoy coffee. It is believed that it was part of the original recipe for the well-known Margarita cocktail, while Damiana Margarita is still a very popular cocktail in Mexico. When Europeans became aware of the medicinal properties of this plant, it was soon included in pharmacopoeias, in which it was described as a plant that reduces anxiety, neurosis and depression that reduces sexual function (in Great Britain), and leaves suitable for a tonic that has the ability to ward off excessive mental activity and strengthen weak nerves (in Germany).
FIGHTER AGAINST IMPOTENCE
The Maya and Aztecs had no problems with fertility as they lived in a clean and healthy environment that modern-day humans miss the most. In men, the fast pace of life in an unhealthy and polluted environment most affects their sexual health, leading to impotence, infertility, poor sperm count and motility and spermatorrhoea – sexual dysfunctions that today impair the quality of life of many men. The World Health Organisation has defined what a normal semen sample is: it should contain at least 15 million spermatozoa in one millilitre, of which at least 30 per cent should move progressively.
Oligospermia – a low sperm count, is one of the most common problems faced by couples trying to become parents. Official medicine is trying to solve this problem with strong drugs and invasive procedures, which are unpleasant and often give no results, and in that way only deepen mental problems and the feeling of inadequacy in men. Another problem that couples face, especially those who go through arduous artificial insemination procedures, is a strictly prescribed regime of sexual activity that begins to resemble some kind of imposed obligation and drains mental and physical energy.
