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What should I discuss with my health care provider before using damiana ()?

Do not take damiana without first talking to your doctor if you

• take a medicine to treat diabetes or to control blood sugar levels such as insulin, glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Glynase, Diabeta), tolbutamide (Orinase), metformin (Glucophage), acarbose (Precose), troglitazone (Rezulin), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others;
• have a history of breast cancer;
• have a psychiatric disorder such as mania or schizophrenia;
• have Alzheimer's disease; or
• have Parkinson's disease.

The use of damiana may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Before taking damiana, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have allergies (especially to plants), have any medical condition, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Damiana may not be recommended in some situations.

There is no information available regarding the use of damiana by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.

How should I take damiana ()?

The use of damiana in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

If you choose to take damiana, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Standardized extracts, tinctures, and solid formulations of herbal/health supplements may provide a more reliable dose of the product.

Take the pill forms of damiana with a full glass of water.

To ensure the correct dose, measure the liquid forms of damiana with a dropper or a dose-measuring spoon or cup.

Some forms of damiana may be brewed to form a tea for drinking.

Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets, liquids, teas, and others) of damiana at the same time, unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of damiana.

Store damiana as directed on the package. In general, damiana should be protected from light.

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