DAMIANA Turnera aphrodisiaca, UrB.( N. O.: Turneraceae)
Features: Indigenous to Texas, and found in lower California( Mexico), South America and West Indies. The small yellow-flowered shrub has long, broad, obovate, light-green leaves, with few hairs on the rib; frequented by reddish twigs. The plant has an aromatic odour and contains a volatile oil( 0.51 per cent) with a warm, bitter, camphor-like taste, two resins, a bitter principle( Damianin) tannin, sugar and albuminoids. Medicinal Part: The leaves. Solvent: Diluted alcohol. Bodily Influence: Aphrodisiac, Tonic, Stimulant, Laxative. Uses: Damiana has strong claims as a great sexual rejuvenator, in lethargy of the sexual organs, whether the result of abuse or senility. The use, or administration, should be with care, as the claims are justified by many who know of its influence. In this case, for those who ever will, please remember that when the system is run down, overworked, subject to nervous tensions, etc., Damiana often stimulates beyond the limit of our safe and healthy resources, and encouragement beyond our natural energy level may have ill effect on the heart.
W. H. Myers, M. D., of Philadelphia, writes concerning Damiana:“ I have given it quite an extensive trial in my practice, and as a result I find that in cases of partial or other sexual debility, its success is universal. I pronounce it the most effective and only remedy that in my hands had a successful result in all cases.” There are some objections to its use on the digestive system but by combining it with Phosphorus, Nux vomica, it partially obviates this tendency. The required strength will not be noticed immediately; usually one portion once a day for ten days. Also given in nervous diseases. Dose: Fluid extract, 15 – 30 drops once a day. Solid extract, 3 – 6 grains. Also used in pill form. Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture of fresh part— Amenorrhoea, Dysmenorrhoea, Fatigue impotence, Leucorrhoea, Migraine, Prostate( affections of), Spermatorrhoea, Sterility, Urine( incontinence of).
DANDELION Leontodon taraxacum, Wigers( N. O.: Compositae)
Common Names: Blow Ball, Cankerwort, Lion’ s Tooth, Wild Endive, etc. Features: This plant is a native of Greece but can now be found in most parts of the world, almost all the year round. Taraxacum is a genus of less than one hundred species of biennial or perennial herbs belonging to the sunflower family( Compositae).
Dandelions are characterized by shiny green rosette of leaves, nearly entirely or variously toothedged in a slightly backward direction. The flower stem is longer than the leaves, 5 – 6 in. in height, and bearing a single yellow flower. The root and stem yield a milky fluid when cut. The root is the official part and should be collected when the plant is in flower.