The sensible properties of the leaves of all the varieties (or species) of Turnera found upon the market, under the name damiana, are similar. All have a fragrant odor, resembling lemon-balm, and a pleasant, slightly aromatic taste. The leaves impart their virtues readily to hot water, as well as to mixtures of water and alcohol. The spurious damiana, Aplopappus discoideus (Fig. 95), is entirely different. It resembles more nearly the Grindelias, both in odor and taste. It is very resinous, and imparts its characteristic properties most freely to strong alcohol. Water hardly affects it, and mixtures of water and alcohol imperfectly exhaust the resinous principles, and do not permanently retain in solution such portions as are extracted. This spurious damiana need never be unintentionally employed, as both the general appearance of the leaf, and the sensible characteristics, are entirely different from all the species of Turnera. It has been offered at half the price of true damiana.
Chemical Composition.—When distilled with water, the distillate from the leaves yields an essential oil. This oil is lighter than water, possesses the characteristic odor, and imparts to the plant its fragrance. Chlorophyll, hard and soft resin, tannin, sugar, albuminoids, gum, and ash were found by Parsons in true damiana. Potassium chloride was found in spurious damiana by E. S. Wayne, in 1876. According to a more recent analysis of the leaves of damiana, by F. W. Pantzer (Amer. Jour. Pharm., 1887, p. 69), alkaloids and glucosids were not observable. The yield of volatile oil obtained by distillation was 0.5 per cent.
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—This drug has been almost eulogized for its positive aphrodisiac effects, acting energetically upon the genito-urinary organs of both sexes, removing impotence in the one, and frigidity in the other, whether due to abuses or age. Many physicians who have tried it, deny its possession of such virtues, but the friends of the lrug attribute their failures to the use of the spurious articles. It will very likely be found to possess laxative, tonic, and diuretic properties only; and the aphrodisiac effects following its use, no more prove that these belong to it, than the same effects, that not unfrequently appear after the employment of many other agents, prove that such agents possess similiar excitant virtues. Upon the system at large, it exerts a tonic influence, and is useful in some cases of chronic cystic and renal catarrh. It relieves irritation of the urinary mucous membranes, improves digestion, and overcomes constipation in some instances. In respiratory disorders, it may be employed to relieve irritation and cough, and, by its tonic properties, to check hypersecretion from the broncho-pulmonic membranes. The dose of the fluid extract is from ½ fluid drachm to ½ fluid ounce; specific damiana, 5 to 60 drops.
Specific Indications and Uses.—To relieve irritation of the genito-urinary mucous surfaces. (Sexual weakness and debility, with nervousness and depression [?]).
Other Aphrodisiacs.—Hygrophila spinosa. India. Seeds reputed diuretic and aphrodisiac.
Muira-Puama.—A Brazilian wood containing an alkaloid, and reputed strongly aphrodisiac. Its botanical source is unknown (Bull. of Pharm., 1892).
Burra Gookeroo.—The carpels and whole plant of Tribulus lanuginosus are said to be aphrodisiac and diuretic. A fluid extract of the fruit, in doses of 20 to 60 drops, is recommended for nocturnal pollutions.
Sphæranthus indicus, Mundi, Murmuria, Gorakhmundi, Kottakkarandai.—India. Contains a rich, cherry-red, volatile oil (Dymock). It is reputed deobstruent, alterative, tonic, and aphrodisiac.
The article's opening sections (the botanical source and history of the several damianas, with their figures) on pp. 645–646 are not transcribed.