Damiana: An Ancient Herb for Modern Wellness

By Claudia Barton, BCBA, LBA, CTP

A Herb with History and Heart

When we think of herbs that carry centuries of healing wisdom, Damiana (Turnera diffusa) stands tall among them. This small shrub with delicate yellow flowers has traveled through time — from ancient Mayan rituals to modern herbal wellness — always carrying the reputation of being both a physical tonic and an emotional balm.

Known affectionately as “Old Woman’s Broom,” damiana thrives in warm, sandy soils, where resilience is written into its very roots. Native to southwestern Texas, Arizona, southern California, Mexico, South America, and the West Indies, it is a plant that knows how to endure heat, dryness, and hardship — and perhaps that’s why it has been treasured for its ability to help people restore vitality when life feels draining.

Damiana has been infused into teas, cordials, tinctures, and even traditional liqueurs in Mexico. Its flavor is pungent, slightly bitter, and warming, leaving behind a subtle astringent finish — a taste as complex as its benefits.

Why Damiana Still Matters Today

Modern science continues to confirm what traditional healers knew: Damiana is a powerhouse herb filled with bioactive compounds that support both physical health and emotional well-being. Researchers have identified more than 22 flavonoids in damiana, along with glycosides and volatile oils, all working in synergy to bring balance to the body and mind.

Here are some of the most recognized benefits:

1. Damiana as an Aphrodisiac

Perhaps damiana’s most famous use, both historically and today, is as a natural aphrodisiac. The Mayans and Aztecs used it to enhance passion and intimacy, and modern studies have supported its role in sexual health.

Stress, aging, and environmental factors often dampen desire or create sexual dysfunction. In clinical research, both men and women who used damiana reported improvements in sexual satisfaction and reduced dysfunction. For women, especially those navigating hormonal changes like perimenopause, damiana may help restore balance and increase libido.

In this way, damiana is not just a plant for the body — it’s a plant for connection, intimacy, and relational healing.

2. Damiana as an Antioxidant Ally

Our bodies are constantly exposed to oxidative stress — caused by pollution, stress, poor diet, and UV damage. Over time, oxidative stress accelerates aging, weakens immunity, and disrupts overall balance.

Damiana contains potent antioxidants that help neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS), reducing cellular stress and protecting the skin from damage. Research suggests that damiana may even help with photoaging, reducing the negative impact of UV rays on skin health.

When infused into balms or oils, damiana becomes a skin protector, helping to maintain youthfulness, clarity, and resilience.

3. Damiana as an Anti-Inflammatory

Inflammation is a natural response to injury or illness — but when it becomes chronic, it leads to pain, fatigue, and long-term health concerns.

Damiana’s bioactive compounds show promise as anti-inflammatory agents, helping to calm swelling, ease pain, and support recovery. For those with joint discomfort or skin inflammation, damiana-infused remedies may provide soothing relief while also nourishing the body’s natural repair process.

4. Damiana as a Nervine and Anxiolytic

For centuries, damiana has been known as a nerve tonic — calming, grounding, and emotionally supportive. Many people today turn to it for mild anxiety, restlessness, or nervous system imbalance.

Scientific studies highlight the flavonoid apigenin in damiana, which may explain its calming properties. Sipping damiana tea or applying products infused with it can create a sense of ease, reminding the nervous system to pause and let go.

For those living with constant stress — work, family, or emotional challenges — damiana offers a quiet anchor back into calm.

Damiana in Luna & Lavender™ Products

At Luna & Lavender™, I work with damiana because it’s more than a single-benefit herb. It’s multi-dimensional: a tonic for body, mind, and spirit.

  • In balms and oils, damiana supports skin health while offering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection.

  • In nervous system rituals, it provides grounding, helping to regulate stress and create calm.

  • As part of hormonal or women’s wellness blends, it honors its traditional use as an aphrodisiac and emotional restorer.

When combined with other powerful botanicals like calendula, valerian, and lavender, damiana helps create products that don’t just care for the skin — they care for the whole self.

Final Thoughts

Damiana reminds us that nature holds answers for both the body and the spirit. It is a herb of passion, resilience, and calm — supporting skin, nervous system, and intimacy in ways that few plants can.

When you use a Luna & Lavender™ product infused with damiana, you’re not just applying an herb. You’re tapping into centuries of wisdom, wrapped in modern behavioral wellness principles, and given to you with love and intention.

Because healing isn’t just about what we fix — it’s about what we nourish. And damiana nourishes deeply.

Behavioral Wellness Tip: Try pairing a damiana-infused balm or tea with a moment of intentional breathing. As you apply or sip, breathe slowly, reminding your nervous system: I am safe, I am cared for, I can rest.

 

 

Back to blog

The Science Behind Health & Wellness

Why behavior matters. Why healing is possible. Why small steps work.

When we think of health and wellness, we often think of the body — nutrition, sleep, hydration, movement. But at the core of every lasting change is something deeper: behavior.

As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Certified Trauma Professional (CTP), I view health and wellness through a scientific and compassionate lens. I don’t just ask what someone is doing — I ask why.

That’s where the real healing starts.

Why Behavior Matters in Wellness

Every time you choose to care for yourself — by applying a salve, setting down your phone, or pausing to breathe — you’re engaging in a behavior. These actions might seem small, but over time, they shape patterns. Patterns become habits. Habits become a lifestyle.

Behavior analysis teaches us that change doesn’t happen all at once — it happens one moment at a time, with reinforcement, consistency, and care.

The Nervous System & Trauma-Informed Support

For many of us, especially those with trauma histories, even the simplest self-care routines can feel overwhelming or unfamiliar. That’s why trauma-informed care matters. It reminds us that healing isn’t just about doing more — it’s about feeling safe enough to begin.

Behavioral wellness honors the body’s signals, works with the nervous system, and builds safety through predictable, gentle routines. When we approach wellness with compassion and structure, we help the body and mind slowly unlearn survival and relearn connection.

The Foundation of Behavior-Based Wellness

In behavior science, we use tools like:

  • Reinforcement to encourage healthy habits (rewarding what we want to see more of)
  • Prompting and shaping to help build routines gradually
  • Environmental design to make wellness easier and more accessible
  • Data and reflection to track what’s working — and why

These aren’t just clinical strategies. They can show up in your daily life as:

  • A lavender roller next to your bed to signal rest
  • A gentle balm you use after brushing your teeth to mark the end of your day
  • A sensory spray that helps your child transition more smoothly
  • A mantra you whisper each morning as a private moment of grounding

Why This Matters

Because true wellness isn't about extremes.
It’s about repeatable, nourishing actions that help you feel more like yourself.

And the science is clear: when we build wellness routines around behavior, not pressure, we make healing more accessible — for children, for parents, for everyone.

This is the foundation of my work and the intention behind every product I create. I want to help you feel safe in your routines, confident in your care, and connected to the deeper why behind the choices you make.

Mini Mantra:

“Small acts. Safe patterns. Lasting change.”

Shop