Damiana: Anybody ever tried it?

[angela146]

Has anyone every tried Damiana, either in its herbal form or as a liqueur?

Does it live up to its reputation as an aphrodisiac?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damiana

http://www.damiana.net/

 

[TheEarl]

I haven't, but I'm curious to hear about its effects, if any.

The Earl

 

[impressive]

I haven't, but I'm curious to hear about its effects, if any.

The Earl

Ditto. Although it seems a bit risky to treat impotence and constipation simultaneously.

 

[Guest]

Ditto. Although it seems a bit risky to treat impotence and constipation simultaneously.

*snicker*

The mental image that evokes . . .

 

[impressive]

*snicker*

The mental image that evokes . . .

coming AND going ???

 

[Guest]

coming AND going ???

 

[HeyNonnyNonny]

I've tried the liquor, both neat and mixed as a margarita. Its not pleasant.

I noticed the sleep-inducing qualities far more than the aphrosidiac ones. However, I was surrounded by Mexican women, which as far as I was concerned eliminated any need for aphrodisia. I was 17.

Good times.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I've had it as a tea. Didn't show me anything.

I've also tried kava kava, yohimbine, valerian root, ibogaine, and apomorphine, an inactive isomer of morphine that they thought might have aphrodisiac properties (it didn't.) I worked for a drug company and so we could get all that stuff and had access to the scientific information and toxicity data, and I wasn't adverse to trying a little on myself, though of course I wasn't supposed to.

Although, to tell you the truth, I don't know if I'd even notice the effects of an aphrodisiac. I mean, if the sight of the back of a woman's neck or some seamed stockings is all it takes to get me aroused and ready, what do I need to be taking any aphrodisiac for?

There's no drug in the world that's going to turn an uninterested woman into a writhing sexpot. Unfortunately, the best aphrodisiac I know of to use on women is cash. Diamonds seem to work too, I hear.

 

[TheEarl]

I've had it as a tea. Didn't show me anything.

I've also tried kava kava, yohimbine, valerian root, ibogaine, and apomorphine, an inactive isomer of morphine that they thought might have aphrodisiac properties (it didn't.) I worked for a drug company and so we could get all that stuff and had access to the scientific information and toxicity data, and I wasn't adverse to trying a little on myself, though of course I wasn't supposed to.

Although, to tell you the truth, I don't know if I'd even notice the effects of an aphrodisiac. I mean, if the sight of the back of a woman's neck or some seamed stockings is all it takes to get me aroused and ready, what do I need to be taking any aphrodisiac for?

There's no drug in the world that's going to turn an uninterested woman into a writhing sexpot. Unfortunately, the best aphrodisiac I know of to use on women is cash. Diamonds seem to work too, I hear.

I'm always amazed to hear of anyone talk of kava as an aphrodisiac. You don't have the energy to raise your head while kavaed, let alone do anything more energetic.

Something which I have found effective was Tribulus Terrestris, which is a bodybuilding supplement. It promotes the production of testosterone and the pills I took were bundled with Horny Goat Weed, which also has the same effect. Damned useful for weight lifting, but there's also a definite effect on libido. Sadly, also, a definite effect on skin and I think possibly depression as well, so not 100% of the good.

The Earl

 

[minsue]

I've had it as a tea. Didn't show me anything.

I've also tried kava kava, yohimbine, valerian root, ibogaine, and apomorphine, an inactive isomer of morphine that they thought might have aphrodisiac properties (it didn't.)

What, no Spanish Fly?

 

[TheEarl]

What, no Spanish Fly?

And all the girlies say he's pretty fly, for a white guy.

What the hell is Spanish fly?

The Earl

 

[minsue]

And all the girlies say he's pretty fly, for a white guy.

What the hell is Spanish fly?

The Earl

From Wikipedia

The Spanish fly usually refers to an emerald-green beetle Lytta vesicatoria, (from Greek lytta = rage and Latin vesica = blister) in the family Meloidae, although other species of blister beetle used in apothecary have been also called by the same name. Lytta vesicatoria is sometimes referred to as Cantharis vesicatoria, but the genus Cantharis is in an unrelated family, Cantharidae. It is 15 mm to 22 mm long and 5 mm to 8 mm wide, and lives on plants in the families Caprifoliaceae and Oleaceae. The beetle contains up to 5% cantharidin which irritates animal tissues. The crushed powder of Spanish fly is of yellowish brown to brown-olive color with iridescent reflections, of disagreeable scent and bitter flavor.

Spanish fly, or cantharides as it is sometimes called, is often given orally to farm animals to incite them to mating. The cantharides excreted in the urine irritate the urethral passages, causing inflammation in the genitals and subsequent priapism. For this reason, Spanish fly has been given to humans for purposes of seduction. It is dangerous since the amount required is miniscule and the difference between the effective dose and the harmful dose is quite narrow. Cantharides cause painful urination, fever, and sometimes bloody discharge. They can cause permanent damage to the kidneys and genitals.

*shudder*

 

[TheEarl]

From Wikipedia



*shudder*

So, it doesn't even work by providing more horniness? It just artificially creates an erection? What's the point in that?

I think I prefer the crazy-making tribulus.

The Earl

 

[Stella_Omega]

I've had it as a tea. Didn't show me anything.

I've also tried kava kava, yohimbine, valerian root, ibogaine, and apomorphine, an inactive isomer of morphine that they thought might have aphrodisiac properties (it didn't.) I worked for a drug company and so we could get all that stuff and had access to the scientific information and toxicity data, and I wasn't adverse to trying a little on myself, though of course I wasn't supposed to.

Although, to tell you the truth, I don't know if I'd even notice the effects of an aphrodisiac. I mean, if the sight of the back of a woman's neck or some seamed stockings is all it takes to get me aroused and ready, what do I need to be taking any aphrodisiac for?

There's no drug in the world that's going to turn an uninterested woman into a writhing sexpot. Unfortunately, the best aphrodisiac I know of to use on women is cash. Diamonds seem to work too, I hear.

Quaaludes worked. And so does Kava- you just have to get the dosage right, enough to relax inhibitions, not enough to paralyse your friend or yourself. I'd cut them in quarters, and dose my victims once every half-hour. The hard-core guys would laugh at my namby-pamby ways, but admit that the high stayed at its peak for much longer that way.
Luudes were wonderful- not only did you remember what you'd done the night before- but you were happy you'd done it!

 

[dr_mabeuse]

What, no Spanish Fly?

No. Couldn't get his little castanets off.

 

[TheEarl]

And so does Kava- you just have to get the dosage right, enough to relax inhibitions, not enough to paralyse your friend or yourself. I'd cut them in quarters, and dose my victims once every half-hour.

Pah. Kava is only a worthwhile experience if drunk in a South Pacific kava bar or alternately in the proper spirit. It's an experience in itself, rather than a means to an end. Don't like the idea of it being talked up as an aphrodisiac.

The Earl

 

[Guest]

Damiana is touted as the "Female Viagra" because it's a slight vasodilator with side effects of headaches and insomnia. Teasing and foreplay is free and the pay off is often 100% in return wheres damiana may take several doses to do anything.

* people with diabetes should avoid damiana since it also has blood-sugar lowering abilities.

 

[Guest]

No. Couldn't get his little castanets off.

*snicker*

They were too spurious.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Pah. Kava is only a worthwhile experience if drunk in a South Pacific kava bar or alternately in the proper spirit. It's an experience in itself, rather than a means to an end. Don't like the idea of it being talked up as an aphrodisiac.

The Earl

Well, I AIN'T IN the South Seas, dammit!

If I were on a beach in Tahiti, I wouldn't want to take anything at all. So you'll excuse me if I take what I can get.
(Actually, I don't do recreational drug-taking much at all, and I've never tried kava as a seduction tool- Leapers, yes.)

I learned about Kava, probably ten years ago, when my parents came back from Fiji with a sack of this "native herbal tea" that they thought I might like to try. I don't put strange herbs into my mouth without a little research first! There were a few articles available about it, complete with Tribal Maidens chewing the root for the Great Chieftan and all. (The bioreactives in kava are developed by the enzymes in saliva; A more accurate description comes from Paul Theroux's great book "the happy Isles Of Oceana", which has him and a few guys he's just met, all chewing the just-dug-up roots, and spitting the mash into a communal bowl. )
But I really discovered Kava after 9/11. Taken as a capsule, It was the only thing that allowed me to go to work, concentrate on my job, and allow me, at the same time, to acknowledge what was going on. It allows you some serenity, unlike Valerian (Valium's herbal predecessor) which simply deadens you completely.

It's an amazingly useful anti-anxiety medication. And it tastes so good, too- when it's sweetened.

After GMC stopped carrying it, I looked for sources online. One that I found, I called their Customer service number. I wanted to get an idea of how far an ounce of the stuff would go, since I was taking it in capsule form- one or two daily, at the most.
The person on the other end of the line said something about how it wasn't a recreational drug, and I luaghed, because, of course, it can be. He got very upset and told me that I wasz probably an agent from the FDA trying to trap him into a damaging statement, and that he didn't feel comfortable talking to me any more, and he hung up on me.

I tried emailing customer service, apologised for panicking an employee, and I suggested that the company find a better way of dealing with untoward clientele such as myself. I got email back from the company owner that said I should have known better. I replied that I was one of a million potential buyers and hardly none of us were going to be already educated...

After awhile, I found a supplier. And since I'd been eddicated by harsh experience, I've never mentioned the word "recreational" - not once.

 

[MaeveoSliabh]

On damiana: not really worth it. Honestly. It does more nasties to a person than the aphrodisiac is worth. Can seriously screw certain people up.

 

[Pure]

not every herb is for everyone

http://www.supplementquality.com/editorials/safety_IoM.html
{very rare but nasty effects of kava}

Recent coverage of kava said it was linked to roughly 30 cases of severe liver damage, a few of them fatal. Several countries including Canada and the UK have banned all sale of kava products. However, most of these patients were also either taking pharmaceutical drugs known to cause liver damage or consuming high levels of alcohol.
Roy Upton, Executive Director of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, has examined the medical evidence on these cases, and says,

"There are only about four cases, maybe six, of liver toxicity that were definitively related to kava alone. These cases are clearly idiosyncratic reactions to kava that probably could not have been predicted." Upton also points out that there are roughly one million daily prescribed doses of kava in Europe -- and asks, "How many side effect injuries will occur if all those million doses are changed to barbiturates, or to other approved anti-anxiety drugs that may have a host of side effects?"

 

[minsue]

No. Couldn't get his little castanets off.

. .

 

[Stella_Omega]

http://www.supplementquality.com/editorials/safety_IoM.html
{very rare but nasty effects of kava}

Recent coverage of kava said it was linked to roughly 30 cases of severe liver damage, a few of them fatal. Several countries including Canada and the UK have banned all sale of kava products. However, most of these patients were also either taking pharmaceutical drugs known to cause liver damage or consuming high levels of alcohol.
Roy Upton, Executive Director of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, has examined the medical evidence on these cases, and says,

"There are only about four cases, maybe six, of liver toxicity that were definitively related to kava alone. These cases are clearly idiosyncratic reactions to kava that probably could not have been predicted." Upton also points out that there are roughly one million daily prescribed doses of kava in Europe -- and asks, "How many side effect injuries will occur if all those million doses are changed to barbiturates, or to other approved anti-anxiety drugs that may have a host of side effects?"

Yes, it's been establishedthrough tests in Germany, that there may be toxicity in the leaves and stems- the roots and the roots alone are beneficial.

 

[angela146]

It's funny how several of the posts have talked about getting a woman in the mood.

Um... I *am* a woman, I'm 31 years old, and getting me in the mood isn't the problem. My husband and I have been looking at ways of helping *him* keep up with me.

Viaga, and it's bretheren, aren't a solution. We aren't dealing with "soft pole syndrome". We're dealing with "again? we just did it a few hours ago..." syndrome.

Honestly, I like to do it two or three times a day and it would be nice if I wasn't using my hands quite so often.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Quaaludes worked.

Quaaludes (AKA "disco aspirin") were great inhibition- removers, but they cut both ways. I don't know how many times I saw guys with spinach in their teeth and their shirt tails hanging out through their flies trying to put the smooth moves on some terrified girl. They just didn't care.