Abstract:
Damiana or Turnera aphrodisiaca has been traditionally used as an invigorating and
aphrodisiac herb in different schools of medicine for centuries. In homoeopathy, however,
its use has been made besides the above conditions, for various other disorders like
amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, leucorrhoea, sterility and frigidity in females and
spermatorrhoea, urinary tract infection and migraine in adults. It has also been used for
incontinence of urine and affection of prostate in old people with success.
The Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy undertook a clinical study to verify
and confirm the uses of Damiana as mentioned in the homoeopathic materia medica2,3
with the objective of evolving its clinical drug picture.
Three thousand thirty two patients, comprising of 2,383 males and 649 females were
enrolled in the study.
This study not only confirms its therapeutic use in sexual debility, impotency but also
in migraine, leucorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, constipation, affection of the prostate, general
fatigue etc. as noted in the literature. It also has delineated characteristics, which would
help in differentiating Damiana from other similar remedies given in the homoeopathic
materia medica. Few new symptoms and signs were also noted during its clinical use
as above, which may be confirmed in the proving of this drug in future.
