Turnera diffusa is a woody shrub with small green leaves and aromatic, yellow flowers. Its range extends from Southern Texas to South America and east to the Caribbean. Damiana is known for its healthful properties and amorous spirit. The leaves can be used in tea blends, herbal smoking mixtures, infused into a sweet liquor, or macerated as damiana extract.
Damiana has been used in Mexico, Central America, and South America since the times of the ancient Aztec and remains quite popular today. Although its noted effect on sexual desire has been its primary traditional use across cultures, it has also been valued as a relaxant, digestive stimulant, mood enhancer, or just an enjoyable beverage that was often given to children. In modern times it has also been used as an herbal smoke and a liqueur.