Turnera diffusa
Damiana
Turnera diffusa, commonly known as White Turner, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned in traditional medicine, particularly in South America, it is frequently utilized for its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This plant offers fascinating possibilities for pharmacological research into treating various inflammatory conditions.
- Scientific name: Turnera diffusa
- Family: Passifloraceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Turnera diffusa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Malpighiales and the family Passifloraceae. It is further categorized under the genus Turnera.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Passifloraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Turnera | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Turnera diffusa, is referred to by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Arabic, it is called دميانة, while in Catalan, it is known as Damiana. It is similarly named damiána in Czech and Damiana in German, and in Haitian Creole, it is referred to as Oreg mawon.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ar | دميانة | Wikidata |
| ca | Damiana | Wikidata |
| cs | damiána | Wikidata |
| de | Damiana | Wikidata |
| ht | Oreg mawon | Wikidata |
| nl | Damiana | Wikidata |
| pt | Damiana | Wikidata |
| ru | Тёрнера раскидистая | Wikidata |
| sv | Damiana | Wikidata |
| ro | Damiana | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across specific regions of North America. Within the South-Central United States, its distribution is notably centered in the state of Texas. The species is also extensively found throughout various parts of Mexico. Specifically, it inhabits the central, northeastern, and northwestern territories of the country. Additionally, the plant can be located along the Gulf region of Mexico.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South-Central U.S.A. | Texas | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | El Salvador | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Turnera diffusa and commonly referred to as damiana, derives its therapeutic value primarily from its aerial parts. These above-ground components, which include the stems, leaves, and flowers, contain the essential chemical constituents and volatile oils responsible for its traditional medicinal uses. In many herbal preparations, the dried aerial parts are harvested to create infusions or tinctures, making them the central focus for extracting the plant's bioactive compounds.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Turnera diffusa has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, arbutin, caffeine, flavonoid, 1,8-cineol.
- Total chemicals
- 23
- Scientific sources
- 28
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| arbutin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,8-cineol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Eucalyptol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidants | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arbutine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carotenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Turnera diffusa has 7 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Aphrodisiac, Antimicrobial, Diuretic, Estrogenic, Gastroprotective.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aphrodisiac | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Estrogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gastroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tonic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Turnera diffusa has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include aphrodisiac, Parkinson's disease, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, anxiety, diabetes mellitus.
- Total uses
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aphrodisiac | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Parkinson's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Vibrio parahaemolyticus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anxiety | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| drug-induced liver injury | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| liver diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |