PDR for Herbal Medicines

244 /DAFFODIL PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Suzuki N, Tania S, Furusawa S, Furusawa E, Therapeutic

activity of narcissus alkaloids on Rauscher leukemia: Antiviral

affect in vitro and rational drug combination in vivo. In: Proc

Soc Expl Biol Med 145:771-777. 1974.

Tojo E, (+)-Narcidine, a new alkaloid from Narcissus

pseudonarcissus. In: JNP 54: 1387. 1991.

Further information in:

Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur

Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlags-

Ges. Stuttgart 1997.

Hausen B, Allergiepflanzen, Pflanzenallergene, ecomed

Verlagsgesellsch. mbH, Landsberg 1988.

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.): Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl.. Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York. 1969.

Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen. 6. Aufl.. Nachdruck, Haug

Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
   Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Damiana

Turnera diffusa

TRADE NAMES

Damiana Leaves (from various manufacturers), Wild Coun-

tryside Damiana Leaves

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the leaves harvest-

ed during the flowering season.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are yellow, solitary and

axillary. The fruit is a small, globular, many-seeded capsule,

which breaks up into 3 parts. It is aromatic and resinous.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a small shrub that grows

up to 60 cm high. The leaves are 1 to 2.5 cm long and up to 6

mm wide. They are smooth and pale green on the upper

surface and glabrous with a few scattered hairs on the ribs

underneath. The leaves are ovate-lanceolate, short-petioled

and have 2 glands at the base. They have a few serrate teeth

and recurved margins.

Habitat: The plant is found mainly in the region of the Gulf
of Mexico, the Caribbean and southern Africa.
Production: Damiana leaf consists of the leaf of Turnera
diffusa and its variations. Damiana herb consists of the herb
of Turnera diffusa and its variations.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil (0.5-0.9%): chief components 1,8-cineole, alpha-

and beta-pinene, p-cymene, as well as thymol, alpha-copene,

gamma-cadinene, calamene

Tannins (4%)

Resins (7%)

Hydroquinone glycosides: arbutin (0.2-0.7%)

Cyanogenic glycosides: tetraphylline B (barterin)

EFFECTS

No information is available.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Damiana preparations are used as an

aphrodisiac and for prophylaxis and treatment of sexual

disorders.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

How Supplied:

Capsules — 380 mg, 384 mg, 395 mg, 450 mg

Fluid Extract — 1:1

LITERATURE

Auterhoff H, Haufel HP, (1968) Arch Pharm 301:537.

Dominguez XA, Hinojosa M, (1976) Planta Med 30:68.

Hegnauer R, Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Bde 1-11:

Birkhauser Verlag Basel, Boston, Berlin 1962-1997.

Hoppe HA, (1975-1987) Drogenkunde, 8. Aufl., Bde 1-3: W de

Gruyter Verlag, Berlin, New York.

Jin J, (1966) Lloydia 29(3):250.

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde 1-8: Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New

York 1995.