Damiana.
Kind of rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?
Yet, as nice as it is to say, for many people damiana remains a mystery.
Well, no more.
Here is everything you need to know about damiana.
What is damiana?
This seems like a sensible place to start.
Damiana is a mildly psychedelic shrub that grows wild in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It produces a beautiful yellow flower in early to late summer, then follows that by bearing small fruits that smell sweet and taste sort of like figs.
In terms of the plant’s smell and flavor, the essential oils remind some people of chamomile.
But forget about the flowers and the fruits—sure, they might be pretty and tasty, but they’re not what we’re here for.
What matters to us, and to the cultures that have been taking damiana for centuries, are the plant’s leaves, because that’s where the beneficial components are.
What are the benefits of damiana?
When you ask the internet what damiana’s good for, you’re likely to be inundated with claims around its powerful aphrodisiac qualities (aka it stimulates sexual desire).
We can tell you two things about that:
- It’s one thing the Aztecs, Mayans, and Guaycura all used it for.
- Some studies have shown that the plant results in heightened sexual satisfaction and performance, in both men and women.
But that’s not all that people take damiana for.
Some people swear by damiana because it helps them with:
- Stress
- Mild depression
- Stomach ailments
- Energy
- General wellness and positivity
Of course, it’s key to keep in mind that everyone is different, and how you react to damiana will be unique to you.
How will damiana make me feel?
As the above section suggests, it’ll make you feel good.
People have been taking damiana for hundreds and hundreds of years to feel lighter and more easy-going, less stressed and more chill. You might also have a happier gut and/or other things.
Technically, damiana does have some psychedelic properties, but it won’t make you see rainbows at night. The psychoactive components in the plant—especially in the amounts that Psychedelic Water contains—won’t do anything more than help you feel better; we’re talking happy and calm instead of sad and stressed.
How do people take damiana?
Even though there are many parts of the plant—root, stem, leaves, flowers, fruits—the only part that people use in remedies are the leaves.
Traditionally, the leaves are dried and milled, so that they look like the tea you find in your tea bags. The leaves are then steeped in hot water until their goodness seep out.
You can also take damiana in a capsule or in liquid extract form, which is how we include it in Psychedelic Water.
Fun fact: Folklore says that the original margarita had damiana in it, and to this day, you can still find damiana margaritas across Mexico, especially in Los Cabos.
What’s next for damiana?
This is a tough question to answer.
Unlike kava, which is showing clear signs of taking off, damiana has been flying under the radar.
But don’t let that fool you. Damiana is a special plant with a lot to offer. What’s important is that you keep an open mind, try new things, and learn what works for you.
For its part, damiana is worth a try.
