Damiana is a small shrub native to the American Southwest, Mexico and the West Indies. It was used by the Mayans and Aztecs as a sexual stimulant and to treat respiratory disorders. Some people smoke Damiana in a waterpipe as a prelude to lovemaking. It was also burned ceremoniously to enable participants to "see visions". Damiana has been used for thousands of years in Latin American cultures ritualistically as a sexual stimulant. Growing in dry, rocky climates, Damiana is a shrub with small yellow flowers that is generally found in the southwestern regional areas of Mexico, California and Texas. Considered to be an overall body tonic, Damiana is no longer considered an herb just for men, but may be used for a variety of ailments for both men and women. Damiana effects the nervous system acting as an anti-depressant, soothing anxiety, nervousness and mild depression, promoting the general feeling of well-being. Damiana also stimulates the circulation of the body consequently raising energy levels to alleviate fatigue and stimulate weight loss. Other known uses for Damiana are as a mild laxative useful for relieving constipation, soothing headaches caused by menstruation, and thinning fluids resulting from asthma, colds and flu. Most research has been done on the essential oil of Damiana, which includes numerous small, fragrant substances called terpenes. As yet, it is unclear if the essential oil is truly the main active fraction of Damiana. The leaves also contain the anti-microbial substance arbutin, some alkaloids, and other potentially important compounds. The common name Damiana includes the species Turnera diffusa, which is used interchangeably with Turnera aphrodisiaca. |
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Korean Ginseng is a deciduous perennial shrub whose fleshy root requires 4-6 years of cultivation to reach maturity. Its name comes from the Chinese "jen shen," which means "man root," so-named because some roots have limb-like branches resembling arms and legs. Because the root has a human-like shape, it is considered by Orientals to be an overall body tonic. Traditionally, the wild root was consumed to vitalize, strengthen, and rejuvenate the entire body. Widely cultivated, Korean Ginseng is now used as a natural preventive, restorative remedy and valued for its adaptogenic properties. Korean Ginseng is more stimulating and increases the "yang" energy, while American Ginseng increases the "yin" energy. Korean Ginseng is considered most suitable for males and for older people. Used for centuries in China, Korean Ginseng was believed to be and anti-aging herb. Today, Ginseng is a favorable herb because of its ability to be used long-term without toxic effects on the body. Korean Ginseng contains adaptogens that have been known to return the body's system levels back to normal. By equalizing the system levels in the body, Korean Ginseng has been used to lower cholesterol, balance the metabolism, increase energy levels, and stimulate the immune system. It has also been used to alleviate fatigue and reduce nervousness and stress on the body. Korean Ginseng also increases oxygenation to the cells and tissues, promoting detoxification, and stimulating the regeneration of damaged cells. For this reason, Korean Ginseng is the popular choice because it enhances the feeling of overall well being by stimulating the nervous system, brain, and heart, as well as healthy liver functions. |
