Ingredient: damiana
Damiana Leaf Extract in HoneyBoost: What Studies Actually Show
Damiana in HoneyBoost is a leaf extract of Turnera diffusa at a 5:1 ratio, printed at 10 mg per gummy, equal to 50 mg of leaf. Most research is in animals or lab tests. The few human studies used products with other ingredients. No studied dose exists to compare, and animal data suggest it may lower blood sugar.
- Per gummy10 mg extract
- Ratio5:1
- Leaf equivalent50 mg
Written by the HoneyBoost label deskUpdated
The basics
What is damiana leaf extract in HoneyBoost?
Damiana is a shrub from Mexico and nearby regions, and its leaves are used in traditional herbal teas and tonics. The label prints it as “Damiana (Turnera diffusa) Leaf Extract 5:1, 10 mg”, equivalent to 50 mg damiana leaf.
Sloan Kettering lists traditional uses as a diuretic, a laxative and a stimulant. Purported uses include diabetes, anxiety and sexual dysfunction (MSK, Damiana). A 2014 review says damiana is among the most appreciated traditional plants for desire. It also notes that the leaves contain flavonoids and caffeine, among other compounds (Szewczyk and Zidorn 2014, Damiana review).
A 5:1 ratio means about 5 parts of leaf were used for 1 part of extract. So 10 mg of extract stands for 50 mg of leaf. The gummy holds the 10 mg, about 0.2% of its 4.2 g weight.
| Name on the label | Damiana (Turnera diffusa) Leaf Extract 5:1 |
|---|---|
| What it is | A Mexican shrub; the label prints a 5:1 extract and a 50 mg leaf equivalent |
| Place on the label | 4 of 7 lines, in label order |
| Amount per 1-gummy serving | 10 mg of extract per gummy, equivalent to 50 mg damiana leaf |
| Daily Value | Not established |
| Amount used in research | No study dose in the MSK summary; human work is limited to multi-ingredient products in women |
| How the label compares | No studied amount exists to compare with |
| Strength of evidence | Very limited: most evidence is from animal and lab tests; the human studies tested products with other ingredients |
| Marketed or traditional use | A traditional herb sold for desire and vitality |
| Main caution | Animal studies suggest damiana may lower blood sugar, so anyone who takes diabetes medicine should ask a doctor or pharmacist first. |
What studies say
Does damiana work, and what do studies show?
We found no human result for damiana alone. The 2014 review says most of its effects were tested only in chemical, cell or animal assays (Szewczyk and Zidorn 2014, Damiana review).
Human work is thin. The review found one weight study and one study of female sexual function, and each tested a product with other ingredients. Sloan Kettering says the same: a small study in women of a multi-ingredient product cannot separate damiana's share, and a small study in postmenopausal women needs confirmation (MSK, Damiana).
Sexual behavior
Most evidence comes from animal tests, per MSK.
Human studies
Each used a product with other ingredients, so damiana's share is unknown.
Studies in men
We found no human study of damiana alone in men.
The label makes no claim in words about this plant. Its front says “Male Vitality Formula”, with a dagger that leads to the FDA statement.
Amounts
How much damiana is in HoneyBoost, and is that enough?
One gummy has 10 mg of damiana leaf extract, and a 30-gummy bottle holds 300 mg. Whether that is enough cannot be judged, because no source we read gives a studied dose.
Sloan Kettering gives no dose for damiana (MSK, Damiana). The human studies used multi-ingredient products, so even their amounts do not belong to damiana alone. This is the only plant line where we cannot do the gap math.
| Measure | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Extract per gummy | 10 mg | What you swallow |
| Ratio | 5:1 | 5 parts leaf to 1 part extract |
| Leaf equivalent | 50 mg | 10 mg times 5 |
| Studied dose in sources | Not given | No comparison possible |
| Directions on the label | Not printed | Only a serving of 1 gummy |
See how the other six lines compare on the label vs studies page.
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What are the damiana side effects and blood sugar risks?
The one caution in our sources is blood sugar. Animal studies suggest damiana may lower it, so anyone who takes diabetes medicine should ask a doctor or pharmacist first (MSK, Damiana).
We found no list of common human side effects for damiana in the pages we read, and we will not guess at one. MSK says its effect on hormones is unclear. The review notes caffeine is among its compounds (Szewczyk and Zidorn 2014, Damiana review), which matters if you are sensitive to caffeine.
- Diabetes medicine: blood sugar could drop further. Ask first and check readings as your clinician advises.
- Caffeine sensitivity: the leaf contains caffeine among other compounds.
- Other medicines or a medical condition: the label says not to take it, and to consult a physician.
- Pregnancy, lactating, under 18: the label says do not use.
Mineral and amino acid: 2 lines
- ZnZinc (as zinc gluconate)2.5 mg · 23% DV
- ArL-arginine10 mg · DV not established
Plant extracts: 5 lines
- MaMaca root extract 10:110 mg · DV not established
- HGHorny goat weed extract 8:110 mg · DV not established
- DaDamiana leaf extract 5:110 mg · DV not established
- TATongkat ali root extract 100:125 mg · DV not established
- MuMucuna seed extract (98% L-DOPA)10 mg · DV not established
From the Supplement Facts box, in label order. Every amount is printed; there is no proprietary blend. Other ingredients (sugar, corn syrup, water, pectin, citric acid, natural flavor, guar gum, tapioca starch, sodium citrate, artificial color) are not active lines.
Keep taking prescribed medicine and never stop it for a supplement. Ask first with nitrates, any erection medicine, blood pressure medicine, a blood thinner or hormone treatment. Chest pain or heart attack signs: call 911 (CDC, Heart attack signs). An erection lasting over 4 hours needs emergency care (Mayo Clinic, Priapism).
Bottom line
Is damiana a reason to choose HoneyBoost?
The evidence does not support that. Damiana has a long traditional record, but the human research we found is limited to other products, so the gummy's 10 mg cannot be tied to a result.
A fair note in the label's favor: the amount and the leaf equivalent are printed. The weak spot is the missing evidence. If desire or erections worry you, a doctor can check for treatable causes such as diabetes, heart disease or medicines (NIDDK, Causes of ED (incl. medicines, mood)). See the when to see a doctor page.
Prices and guarantee terms are on the pricing page, and the live checkout is final.
FAQ
HoneyBoost questions people ask
What is damiana?
Damiana is a shrub, Turnera diffusa, whose leaves are used in traditional herbal products. HoneyBoost lists a 5:1 leaf extract at 10 mg per gummy, which the label equates to 50 mg of damiana leaf.
What does Turnera diffusa mean on the HoneyBoost label?
Turnera diffusa is the Latin name of damiana. The label prints it in brackets after the common name, so the line reads Damiana, Turnera diffusa, leaf extract 5:1, 10 mg, equivalent to 50 mg of leaf.
Does damiana have any proven benefits for men?
We found no human study of damiana alone in men. The 2014 review says most effects were tested in chemical, cell or animal assays, and human work used products with other ingredients.
Can damiana lower blood sugar?
Animal studies suggest it may. Memorial Sloan Kettering lists that as a caution, so anyone who takes diabetes medicine should ask a doctor or pharmacist before using a product with damiana.
Does damiana contain caffeine?
The 2014 review lists caffeine among damiana's compounds, along with flavonoids. The label does not print a caffeine amount for the gummy, so ask your doctor if you are sensitive to caffeine.
How much damiana is in one gummy?
One gummy lists 10 mg of 5:1 damiana leaf extract, equal to 50 mg of leaf, and a 30-gummy bottle holds 300 mg of extract. No source we read gives a studied dose for comparison.
Is the damiana photo the extract in the gummy?
No. The header photo is the brand's stock picture of damiana leaves, a flower and ground powder. The gummy holds a 10 mg leaf extract, so the picture shows the source plant, not the contents.
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the brand panels and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is the information site for a USA Authorized HoneyBoost Retailer. It is not the manufacturer or the distributor named on the label. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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