Let's just say I was always a major skeptic regarding herbal remedies and always scoffed at the claims. But after taking a hand-blended concoction of herbs that my husband has been making for me over the past several months (of which damiana is one), my cramps have completely disappeared---and I used to get some very, very debilitating cramps. Though my libido was never exactly low, it has increased over the past few months. But what I like best about taking the blend (second only to the fact that my cramps no longer make a monthly appearance) is that my natural lubrication has increased in spades. I was reluctant for a very, very long time to attribute these changes to the blend of herbs my husband was coaxing me to take.

I've looked up information on the ingredients on PubMed, but I was disappointed by the paucity of studies. Researchers must get grant money from somewhere to keep going, so the research is, too often, where the money is. There are researchers who will occasionally do an herbal study, but to keep in business, they need to direct most of their attention elsewhere. (Sadly, since herbs are comparatively cheap, any "big discovery" about an herb would not be nearly as financially lucrative; thus, who is going to fund the research? Running a research lab is quite expensive.)

Though the research is limited, many herbs are known to have beneficial antioxidants. The saddest aspect about the minimal amount of research is the fact that there are still plenty of components that have yet to be identified in many herbs, yet these components could play a hugely beneficial role in medicine.

Returning to my skepticism, I had wondered if perhaps my cramps have been eliminated due to some other reason, but I am currently on my period (sorry if that is TMI), and I have been entirely too busy and distracted to take the concoction the past few days. After going without cramps for months, I was surprised to find myself experiencing them again last night. But I took the blend of herbs, and they went away shortly thereafter. (I used to take a couple of Tylenol tablets and spend the night with a heating pad pressed against my abdomen, unable to sleep from the pain.)

My husband takes the blend he makes as well, and he has even experienced benefits in terms of increased number of erections, hardness, and pre-ejaculate and ejaculate production.

As with anything, I say take everything you hear with a grain of salt and be cautious about anything you try---but don't necessarily dismiss it out of hand. If there are no (known) negative or dangerous side effects, some things are definitely worth giving a try. less