Herbs101

This is Damiana and she's been connecting with the sun for a few hours.

And over the next few pages of this chapter, I'll be having a few conversations with her.

Damiana is a small shrub native to Central and South America, treasured for centuries by Indigenous cultures as a powerful herbal remedy. With its distinct aroma and uplifting effects, it's a favorite herb for promoting emotional, physical, and sensual wellness.

She's been traditionally used as an aphrodisiac 💗, nervine tonic🌿, a mood-lifter 🌞 and a hormone balancer 🌙.

So, I want to take a moment and get into some real talk about this herbal remedy.

1. Damiana is traditionally known to stimulate sensual energy and increase libido in both men and women. It promotes blood flow to the pelvic region and may support hormonal balance, especially around perimenopause.

2. As a nervine, Damiana helps calm an overactive mind, reduce stress, and lift feelings of mild depression. It can be used to ease nervous tension and bring emotional clarity.

3. Often used in herbal protocols for PMS, perimenopause, and irregular cycles, Damiana supports the reproductive system and helps the body adjust to hormonal fluctuations.

4. Damiana stimulates digestive secretions, making it useful for poor appetite, sluggish digestion, or bloating after meals.

5. Damiana is an anti-inflammatory, and is valuable for soothing irritation of mucous membranes in the urinary and respiratory tracts.

There are many ways to commune with Damiana such as a tea, a tincture or as an herbal smoke but I wanted to share two ways with you today.

1. "Cool & Calm” Herbal Infusion for 🥵 Hot Flashes & Mood Swings

🍀What you'll need:

1 tbsp Red Clover

1 tsp Sage leaf

1 tsp Damiana leaf

1 tsp Lemon Balm (optional for mood support)

1 tsp Peppermint (for cooling effect)

What you'll do:

•Combine all herbs in a teapot or heatproof jar.

•Pour 2 cups of boiling 💦 water over the herbs.

•Cover and steep for 20 minutes.

•Strain and sip warm or cold throughout the day.

Benefits:

Supports emotional balance, reduces hot flashes, and uplifts libido and mood.

And if you're really feeling herbally...

💧DIY Damiana Tincture Formula

Ingredients:

1 cup dried Damiana leaf

2 cups 80-100 proof vodka (or brandy) (ensure it’s at least 40% alcohol for proper extraction)

1 pint-sized glass jar with a tight lid

Label & dropper bottles for storage

Instructions:

•Fill the jar halfway with dried Damiana leaf (about 1 cup loosely packed).

•Pour vodka (or brandy) over the herbs until fully submerged—leave about 1 inch of space at the top.

•Seal the jar tightly and shake gently.

•Label with the date and contents.

•Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks, shaking it gently every few days.

•After 4-6 weeks, strain the tincture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean bowl.

•Transfer the strained tincture into amber glass dropper bottles for easy use.

•Label the tincture with the herb name and date of preparation.

Suggested Dosage:

10–30 drops (0.5 to 1.5 ml) in a small amount of water, 1-3 times daily as needed.

For mood uplift or libido support, take 20 drops directly on the tongue.

Properly stored, Damiana tincture will last 3-5 years.

Now, if I had you at aphrodisiac, then try this! Combine Damiana with Maca Root powder (in a tea or in a smoothie) or blend the tincture with Vanilla Bean extract for an enhanced sensual tonic.😉❤️🥰