Damiana

The reputation of damiana belongs to the dried herb, taken as tea or in the Mexican liqueur that bears its name. The essential oil is a different material with its own chemistry, and the folklore attached to the leaf should not be transferred to it.

01 · Origin

Turnera diffusa is a small aromatic shrub with little yellow flowers, native to south-west Texas, Mexico, and Central and South America. This oil is distilled from the leaves of wild plants in Mexico.

02 · Chemistry

1,8-cineole is the principal constituent and gives the oil its fresh, open quality. Around it sit a range of minor terpenes and sesquiterpenes that round the profile and account for the warmer, slightly herbaceous undertone. The plant belongs to the family Passifloraceae, which places it close to the passion flowers.

03 · In Practice

Herbaceous and fresh, with a soft, liqueur-like warmth beneath. A middle note in natural perfumery. Diffusion, massage blends and bath preparations. Used at low concentration, it adds an unusual green-spiced facet to floral and citrus work. Blends with cardamom, coriander herb, citrus oils, rose, jasmine, ylang ylang and sandalwood.

General information: For external use only. Dilute before applying to skin. Keep away from heat and sunlight. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.