Damiana Side Effects and Safety

Considering damiana for mood, energy, or libido? Here’s what you should know before using this herbal supplement. Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is widely used in teas, tinctures, and capsules, but “natural” doesn’t automatically mean risk-free.¹

We’ll also examine dose-related issues, potential interactions with standard medications, and special situations, such as pregnancy, where extra caution is necessary. If you’re considering the risks of damiana in your routine, the goal is straightforward: make an informed choice and avoid any unpleasant surprises.

What Happens if I Take Too Much Damiana?

Taking more damiana than your body can comfortably handle doesn’t usually create a “better” effect; it tends to amplify the unwanted ones. In practical terms, higher doses can exacerbate mild digestive or nervous system complaints into something that feels more intense and disruptive.

Because damiana is sold in several forms (tea, concentrated extracts, capsules, and blends), “too much” can happen when you stack products, eyeball tincture drops, or assume that a more potent extract equals a straightforward dose increase. Individual sensitivity also varies: factors such as body size, an empty stomach, caffeine intake, and other supplements can all influence the experience.

At the upper end, damiana supplement dangers are primarily associated with an overwhelming response, characterised by nausea, dizziness, jitteriness, and sleep disruption, rather than a predictable, uniform response. If you’ve taken a large amount and feel unwell, stop dosing, hydrate, and avoid alcohol or other sedatives. Seek medical advice urgently if symptoms are severe, you have a seizure, or you’re managing an underlying condition.²

How Soon After Taking Damiana Might Side Effects Appear?

The onset of side effects depends on how you take damiana and the presence of other substances in your system. As a rough guide, most unwanted effects typically appear within 30–90 minutes, especially when taken on an empty stomach.

Tea often comes on a bit faster because it’s already in liquid form. Extracts or tinctures can also feel quicker (and stronger) because they’re more concentrated and easier to overdo. Capsules may take longer, simply because they need to break down before the contents are absorbed.

Either way, the timing is usually a helpful clue: if you feel nausea, dizziness, or restlessness soon after dosing, treat it as a sign to pause, hydrate, and avoid taking more the same day.

What Are the Most Common Side Effects of Taking Damiana?

Are the side effects of damiana usually mild or severe? For most people who choose to use it, they’re on the milder end, more “annoying” than alarming, especially at modest doses and when you’re not mixing it with other substances.

The most commonly reported issues tend to fall into a few predictable buckets:

Nausea or stomach upset, particularly if you take it strong or on an empty stomach
Headaches, sometimes linked to dehydration or sensitivity
Dizziness or feeling light-headed
Insomnia or restlessness (more likely later in the day or with concentrated forms)
Skin reactions such as itching or a mild rash (less common, but worth noting)

If you notice these adverse effects, the most straightforward fix is usually to reduce the dose, switch to a weaker preparation, or stop entirely. Persistent symptoms, or anything that feels intense, should be treated as a reason to get medical advice rather than “push through” it.

Serious or Rare Side Effects

Severe reactions to damiana are uncommon, but they’re the reason it’s smart to respect dose, avoid stacking products, and treat “more” as a risk, not an upgrade.

The most concerning reports involve convulsions after very high intakes. This isn’t something most people will encounter with typical tea use, but it’s a clear warning sign that concentrated products and excessive dosing can push the body in unpredictable directions.²

There’s also occasional discussion about liver toxicity. The evidence here is limited and inconclusive, so it shouldn’t be taken as a proven outcome. Still, if you already have liver issues, drink heavily, or use other substances that stress the liver, it’s a sensible reason to be extra cautious.

Finally, damiana may have hormonal interactions. That matters most if you’re pregnant, trying to conceive, managing a hormone-sensitive condition, or taking hormonal medication, situations where “natural” doesn’t always mean neutral.³ ⁴

Who Should Avoid Damiana?

Some people should treat damiana as a “no” rather than a cautious “maybe,” because the safety data are limited and the downsides may be higher in certain groups.

Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals: Is damiana safe during pregnancy? It is a question without a reassuring, evidence-backed answer. Because damiana may affect hormones, it’s best avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
People on diabetes or blood pressure medications: damiana interactions with medications are possible, and even small shifts in glucose or blood pressure can matter if you’re already being treated. If you’ve ever wondered whether damiana can lower blood sugar, the cautious approach is to assume it might and consult a clinician first.
Children: herbal stimulants and extracts aren’t appropriate for kids, and dosing is hard to standardise safely.

If any of these apply, prioritise medical guidance over experimentation, especially with concentrated extracts.³ ⁴

Damiana Interactions With Medications

Does damiana interact with prescription medications to cause side effects? It can, mainly because herbs don’t act in isolation, and combining them with prescription drugs may increase or blunt certain effects.

Key combinations to be careful with include:

Diabetes medication: damiana interactions with medications are a concern here because damiana may affect glucose control. When stacked with insulin or tablets, the risk is hypoglycaemia (shakiness, sweating, confusion).
Antidepressants or sedatives: mixing damiana with mood meds or anything that causes drowsiness can make you feel more spaced-out, restless, or unusually tired, depending on your sensitivity and dose.
Hormonal contraceptives: because damiana may have hormonal activity, it’s sensible to be cautious if you rely on hormonal birth control or are being treated for hormone-related conditions.

If you’re on regular medication, check with a pharmacist or prescriber before experimenting, especially with extracts.

Can You Overdose on Damiana?

Yes, particularly with concentrated extracts, where it’s easier to take far more than you’d ever get from a few cups of tea. Damiana overdose effects are usually an escalation of the usual unpleasant reactions, but at very high intakes, they may become more serious.

Symptoms of excessive intake can include:

strong nausea or vomiting
headache and dizziness
restlessness, agitation, or insomnia
shakiness and feeling unwell overall

Studies on toxicity levels are still limited; most safety information comes from traditional use, animal research, and case reports, rather than large, well-controlled human trials. That uncertainty is part of the reason sensible dosing matters.⁵

If you suspect an overdose, stop taking it, avoid alcohol or other sedatives/stimulants, and seek urgent medical advice if symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or include confusion, fainting, or seizure-like activity.

Is Damiana Safe for Long-Term Use?

The honest answer is that we don’t really know, at least not with the kind of solid data you’d want for daily, months-long use. What research has been conducted so far tends to focus on short-term use and traditional patterns, rather than modern supplement-style dosing.⁵

A significant limitation is the lack of long-term human trials. That means potential slow-burn issues (for example, changes in sleep, mood, hormones, or liver markers) may be missed until they show up in real-world use.

If you’re using damiana regularly, consider cycling it (taking breaks), keeping doses modest, and stopping if you notice new or persistent symptoms.

How Can You Minimise the Risk of Side Effects When Taking Damiana?

Most damiana side effects come down to dose, combinations, and individual sensitivity. If you’re using it for the first time (or switching from tea to extracts), keep it simple and give your body room to respond.

Start with small doses: begin at the lowest amount on the label (or a weak tea) and wait to assess how you feel before increasing.
Avoid combining with alcohol or medications: mixing substances can amplify sedation, nausea, dizziness, or changes in blood sugar or blood pressure.
Monitor your body’s reaction closely: note sleep, mood, stomach upset, headaches, or unusual agitation. If anything feels off, pause for a few days rather than pushing through.

If you have a health condition or take regular medications, it’s worth checking in with a pharmacist or healthcare professional before adding damiana to your routine.

Should You Use Damiana?

For generally healthy adults, occasional damiana use may be acceptable, especially as a mild tea, if doses are kept modest and responses are monitored.

If you’re wondering if damiana is safe, the more accurate question is whether it’s safe for you. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist first if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, managing diabetes or blood pressure, taking antidepressants/sedatives, or using hormonal contraception.

References

The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products Veterinary Medicines Evaluation Unit COMMITTEE for VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCTS TURNERA DIFFUSA SUMMARY REPORT.; 1999. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/mrl-report/turnera-diffusa-summary-report-committee-veterinary-medicinal-products_en.pdf ↩︎
https://www.facebook.com/Drugscom. Damiana Uses, Side Effects & Warnings. Drugs.com. Published 2025. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/damiana.html ↩︎
Kumar S, Madaan R, Sharma A. Pharmacological evaluation of bioactive principle of Turnera aphrodisiaca. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2008;70(6):740. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0250-474x.49095 ↩︎
01 Stockley’s Herbal Medicines Interactions PRELIMS 1..8.; 2009. https://www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/sites/default/files/herbalmedicinesinteractions-1.pdf ↩︎
Ana María DB, Rosa María VV, Lilian MN, Lucía MM, Oscar GP, Rosa ER. Neurobehavioral and toxicological effects of an aqueous extract of Turnera diffusa Willd (Turneraceae) in mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2019;236:50-62. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.02.036 ↩︎