Damiana for Decreased Sex Drive

Damiana's aphrodisiac reputation rests on tradition and rodent studies; the positive human trials used multi-ingredient formulas in which damiana was one of many components.

In-vitro aromatase inhibition, weak PDE5 inhibition and mild GABA-A activity from apigenin give a plausible but unverified pathway to improved desire and arousal.

Rodent work is the strongest experimental evidence: Turnera diffusa extract increased mounting and ejaculatory behaviour in sexually exhausted or sluggish male rats, and in-vitro studies show aromatase inhibition and modest PDE5 inhibition. In humans, the studies people cite tested ArginMax, a proprietary blend of L-arginine, Korean ginseng, ginkgo biloba, damiana and multivitamins, in women with reduced desire; the blend improved satisfaction scores versus placebo, but the L-arginine and ginseng components have independent evidence and damiana's dose was not disclosed. No randomised controlled trial has tested damiana as a single agent for libido, arousal or sexual satisfaction in men or women. Low desire is also frequently driven by medication side effects (especially SSRIs), thyroid disease, low iron, sleep debt, and relationship factors - all of which have better returns than an untested herb.

People whose low desire stems from SSRIs, hypothyroidism, anaemia, or chronic stress will not resolve it with damiana.